Life, 1893-03-02 · page 10 of 14
Life — March 2, 1893 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Sportsman" Drama Review This page reviews a play called "The Sportsman" at the Standard Theatre. The drama concerns a gentleman hiding a gambling habit from his wife—a light comedic piece originally written by a Frenchman with scenes set in France, then adapted for English-speaking audiences. The two cartoon illustrations show scenes from the play: one depicts two male characters in conversation (likely the "sportsman" and another man), while the lower cartoon shows a fishing scene with dialogue about insuring one's life and obtaining money—suggesting the plot involves financial schemes or deceptions related to gambling. The text notes the play aims simply to amuse rather than teach morality, and praises the cast, particularly Joseph Holland as the "sportsman."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OL STANN\NN “THE SPORTSMAN.” HE vicissitudes of a gentleman with a weakness for gambling, which he tries to conceal from his wife, furnish the basis for the Gd large amount of fun which is crowded into “ The Sports- man,” now being performed at the Standard Theatre. This piece has gone through the same peculiar £5) process which has furnished \4® several laughing successes to the American stage. That is, it oe: was written by a Frenchman, C S 7] with the scene laid in France, and then translated and adapted to the require- ments of the English-speaking inhabitants of the world, by having the scenes transferred to England. They might equally well be located in the United States or Patagonia, SHE GAVE CAUSE. He: Do You BELIEVE THAT LOVE CAN EXIST WITHOUT JEALOUSY ? Ske: NoT iN ANY AFFAIR IN WHICH I TAKE PART. but the American manager, and the American public for that matter, are entirely content to have their plays dished up in this dressing. We don't say this in criticism. When you come to think of it, though, it seems peculiar, although it isa tribute to their cosmopolitanism, that Americans do not insist that plays should be especially treated for American consumption, instead of being treated especially to suit the English market. There is no denying though that “ The Sportsman” is funny. It makes no pretence to teaching any moral lesson, or to being anything but amusing. Simply to make people laugh is a thoroughly legitimate function of the stage, and the pessimist or dyspeptic who witnesses such a piece is really the better for it. The cast is excellent. The long and difficult part of Jack: SAY, BILL, WE'VE BEEN IN HARD LucK LaTety, ain't Harry Briscoe, the “ sportsman,” is admirably filled by Mr. we? Joseph Holland. A/rs. Briscoe is played by Mrs. Georgie Sill: WE AVE, OLD Max, Drew Barrymore. Although the hard work incidental to the Jack: Vil TELL YOU WHAT WE'LL po. You INsuRE youR we 3 7 LIFE IN MY FAVOR FoR $10,0c0, AND T'LL bo THE SAME FoR you, Patt is evidently a heavy strain on her physical powers, she Bill: Weut, wat Goop'LL THAT DO US? gives it a dash and effectiveness possible only from few Jack: Wuy, We'Lt. JUST LOAD UP OUR GUNS, AND step ore American actresses. Mr. Kennedy, as the family friend and THIRTY PACES SOMEWHERE AND SEE WHO GETS THE MONEY. foe, Dr. Holroyd, does well, and Miss Tittell develops a lot comicbooks.com