Life — December 20, 1900 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LLB * The Birth of Another Star. IFE has.ever since her first appearance tn America, recognized in Mary Mannering a very lovely and attractive actress, Mer Kose Trelawny Ungers tn the tucmory as oue of the most delightful stage portrayals of our day By comparison ber Janice Meredith \s sixuifcant iudeed from the artistic point of view, hot because Mary Mauuering Is any less lovely or Jess accomplished, but because, even with all the udvantage given her as a star by subordinating the other parta to her owo, the character {3 Ladly and unssmpathetically drawn by » the author. Her native sweetness and genUeness are largely lost in portraying & heroic and rather hosdenish patriot, who coquettes tp the interest of the Revolu- tionary cause and her rebel lover. The part 1g not without tts attractive bits, notably, for instance, the scene with the soldier who Is set to be ber guard, but in the main it gives ber small opportunity to display her best powers. The play in which Mary Mannering makes ber first appearance as a star 18 about as crudely constructed a piece as one would care tosit through. Itabounds 1h all sorts of improtabllities, and the spectator ts In doubt as to which ts the ices eudunibie, Its melodramatic or Its forced comedy episodes If the production ty a popular success, the credit will Le to the Individual drawing power of Mary Mannering, and not to anything novel or strong in the play provided for her. The mounting of “Janice Meredith” ts sufficiently handsome, and the supporting company ts ® competent one, although, with one or two excep tlons, its members would profit by a few lessons {n the distinct enunciation of thelr lines, ‘ THAT ts » tavdabte ‘notion concetved by the management of the Heratd Square Theatre to give American dramatists an opportunity to have thetr plays beard at Friday matinées, but the privilege should call for something more than the mere fact of American authorship. The plays should at east be actable, and the parts should Ue rehearsed In advance. The vad acting of such w dire calamity as “ Sold apd Paid For,” the first TARITITA, JANICE and SUKEY. of the pleces given In this serics, Is likely to deal a deathblow to the dying cause of the American dramatist. o 6 8 THE season of English opera at the Metropolitan ts over. In spite of the sneering opposition it met with at first, it has proved pecuntartly successful, and Mr. Savage bas gained tbe respect of his most condescend- ing critics by his earnestness and the success of his efforts to provide good performances of the standard opents at reasonable prices [3 “Madge Smit, attorney,” Miss May Irwin has found a falrly good medium for the display of her exceptional powers as a fun-maker. ‘The tone of the plece 1s uot ultra-refned, but it is very up to-date In Its lines and situations, The company ts strengthened by the return of Mr. Ignacio Martinettl, “My Jungie Queen ts the title of a new song, with jingly music aud words that really show some evidence of brains on the part of the writer. This is unusual and refreshing in these days of overdone rag-t Metcalfe. PHILEMON, JANICE, LORD CLOWES and MOWBRAY. LIFE'S CONFIDENTIAL GUIDE TO THE THEATRES. Academy of Music.—Monte Cristo’s fortune ts not yet dissipated. The play 1s still melodramatic, spectacular and Interesting. Broadway.—" Foxy Quiller,” with Jerome Sykes in the Ute part. Fairly good, conventional comic opera. Republic. —" The Sprigutly Romance of Marsac.”” Neither very sprightly nor romantic, Watlack’s.—Mary Mannering in “ Janice Meredith.” Garden.—Bernbardt and Coqueltn in repertoire. no busb."* Lyceum. —Annie Russell io the pollte comedy, “A Royal Family.” Fairly worth seeing. See above. “Good wine needs Metropolitan Opera House-—Graud opera by the Grau company. Daty’s.—Stock company in A Man of Forty." A very flimsy play, well acted by Mr. Dantel Fronman's company. Saroy.—Uenrtetta Crosman as Vel! Givyn. A clever play cleverly acted. Empire —" Richard Carvel in dramatic form, with Mr. John Drew as the hero. Fairly tnteresting. Garrick.—Dacid Haram incarnated by Mr. W. H. Crane. and worth seeing. Amusing Madison Square —Mr, Peter Valley's amusing personality in Hodge, Podge & Co.” Funny. Bijou.—May Irwin in “ Madge Smith,.Attorney." See above. Knickerbocker,—Maude Adams and “L'Alglon once more have the field to themselves. Worth seeing. Herald Square.—Last week but one of “ Arizona.” Weber and Fields'.—Burlesque, fairly good. Criterion." The Gay Lord Quex.”* be seen only by grown-ups. It should be seen. High prices. Ciever play well done, but should comicbooks.com