Life, 1894-03-01 · page 10 of 16
Life — March 1, 1894 — page 10: what you’re looking at
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# Drama at the Lyceum: "The Amazons" This page reviews a theatrical production at the Lyceum theater. The text discusses Mr. Pinero's play "The Amazons," praising it as original and funny, though "extravagant" and verging on scandalous for showing women in masculine clothing (trousers and short skirts). The illustrations are decorative barrels—a visual pun on the review's subtitle "A Tale of a Barrel." These barrel drawings serve as ornamental elements rather than satirical commentary. The review notes the production's appeal lies partly in actresses wearing unconventional attire, calling this "a large part of the interest." It mentions performers like Miss Bessie Tyree and Mr. Fritz Williams, confirming this as genuine theater criticism rather than political satire. The piece exemplifies *Life* magazine's coverage of contemporary entertainment.
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AT THE LYCEUM. HE anatomy of * The Amazons” is certainly interesting. It is a play very much out of the usual line, and possesses marked originality. It is too extravagant to be exactly satirical, and it would seem as though Mr. Pinero had more in mind a piece which should be funny, and perhaps scandalize straight-laced audiences, than any idea of a satire on the masculine young woman. At all events it abounds in ludicrous situations, and its fun is unlimited. It is a very polite ——— = three-act farce, although there are places where it verges on the risky. Its principal merit toa New York audience is that it seems thoroughly to wake up the Lyceum company. Even Mr. Kelcey gets away from his Kelceyness at odd moments, and Miss Cayvan deserts the sloppy-weather school to become quite a jovial young person. In abbreviated nether garments. the ingénues of the Lyceum brand lose the whines which are characteristic and develop into rather wholesome young women. The honors of the production belong to Miss Bessie Tyree, Mr. Fritz Williams and Mr. Ferd. Gottschalk. The last is a new acquisition to the Lyceum ranks, and in this piece is admirably cast as the offspring of a historical and scrofulous English family. Mr. Williams again confirms our estimate of his abilities as a comedian. A large part of the interest of the piece hinges on the fact that the leading women are attired in trousers and short skirts. As occurring at the Lyceum, this naturally attracts more attention than it would at Tony Pastor's, and will doubtless be dwelt upon at full length in the enterprising daily prints. We can, however, assure the matinée c/ventéle of the Lyceum that the exposure is not an important one, and that they may witness the spectacle with perfect impunity. One of the best stage settings seen in New York for a long time is “* The Tangle,” a for- est scene, where the action of the first two acts goes on, ‘The Amazons" is preceded by Tom Taylor's one-act piece, “A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing.” It is well acted and serves as an excellent appetizer for the main per- formance. Metcalfe. comicbooks.com