Life, 1893-05-25 · page 10 of 14
Life — May 25, 1893 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 336 This page reviews a theatrical production called **"1492,"** a burlesque about Columbus, staged in Boston and sent to New York. The two illustrated figures show a character "before taking" and "after taking" — likely depicting a comedic transformation using the show's props or costumes. The review praises the Boston production for successfully bringing serious historical material to comic life without sacrilege. It commends the cast, particularly noting actors Mark Smith and Theresa Vaughn, for excellent staging and musical performance. The bottom section contains unrelated comedic dialogue between characters discussing boarding and temperance—typical of Life's satirical humor sections. The theatrical illustration shows a burlesque performance scene with audience silhouettes, supporting the page's focus on popular stage entertainment criticism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Well! weLt!! WELL!!! ANEY, Browning-mad, asthetic Boston has sent tu New York the best burlesque the latter place has seen since the production of “Adonis.” Asa rule Boston wants itself taken so seriously that it seems almost sacrilege to look at the Spinster City as giving wicked New York points on fun-making. There is no doubt, though, that in this in- stance she has done it and done it most successfully. “1492,” as its title indicates, is another ebullition of the Columbian fever, but it treats the great discoverer and his doings with levity and facetiousness, It does not adhere to history nor observe the canons of probability so strongly as to detract in any way from an absolutely free handling of the great subject. Queen Isabella presiding over the family washing is a new aspect of that lady's career, and no con- sultation of the authorities that we have been able to make seems to justify the liberty taken with her personal history. It also seems something of an anachronism to see Columbus hob-nobbing with Ward McAllister and enjoying the allur- ing conversation of a New York bunco man, but these inci- dents are doubtless introduced more with a view to affecting the risibles of the audience than to make graphic a study in history. . “ 1492" is really funny, which is more than can be said of the majority of such entertainments nowadays. It is bril- liantly set and costumed and develops some new and effect- ive uses of the electric light. The music is bright and catchy, The stage management is excellent, and everything goes with perfect snap and dash. The cast is fully up to the requirements of the piece. Mr. Mark Smith makes a handsome, dignified and melodious Columbus. Miss Theresa Vaughn has more than renewed GF ‘ BEFORE TAKING.” ‘AFTER TAKING.” her youth, and as Fraudein, a German waif, thoroughly wins the hearts of her hearers. Mr. Richard Harlow contributes over six feet of height and more than two hundred pounds of weight to a novel and successful ideal of Queen /sabella. Throughout, the cast is excellent. LiFE acknowledges this community's indebtedness to the Spinster City and predicts 4 long run for “ 1492.” Metcalfe. EMANCIPATED. Howe SKEEPER: You have given up your house I understand, and gone boarding. How do you like the change ? H.O. TELL: I like it immensely. Why I feel that | am now the equal of every servant girl I meet. EMPERANCE ORATOR : hour, FRIEND: Did your hearers give you polite attention ? “Oh, yes. Quite a number asked me to take a seat.” I spoke for nearly an comicbooks.com