Life — May 21, 1903 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

*LIPFE- Spring Diet. ai Fr ANCES Goes to Town,’ those ephemeral AYMAR MATH- Ly Lady Peggy was one of v products to which publicity was made pos- sible by the modern cheapness of print and paper. It had its little modicum of popularity, and seemed destined for that bourne of obscurity whence no novel returns. The book, however, had dramatic pos- sibilities for a young woman who could don boy's clothes and who was able to fence. Mrs. Spooner, a Brooklyn ess, had a daughter answering that des ergo the book in dramatic form and Miss Spooner the heroine. It is said that Mrs, Spooner caters successfully to Brooklyn audiences. Arguing from small things to large ones, she thought her daughter's efforts suitable for Broadway in the Borough of Manhattan. We all make mistakes of judgment, and it is to be feared that Mrs. Spooner is no exception to the rule, Little Miss Spooner makes a y attractive boy, and she fences extremely well, but her ac- ntance with the art of acting is limited, and her delivery is ed to grieve the judicious. Her company, too, is scarcely calculated to recall the methods of the Theatre Franc The play itself is far from bad, although on rather hackneyed lines. “My Lady Peggy Goes to Town" may do for Mrs, Spooner's i n Brooklyn, but it seems a curious performance for the of Daly's Theatre—even if Daly's has gone to the dogs. ‘Here lies'a opular Novel Age I menths. ption, e e e mful about “The Vinegar Buyer,” in diall makes his escape from the vaudeville stage and makes his appearance in the legitimate near Broad- way. It is the sort of rural drama of which we have had much, and which depends for its success on the de less exaggerated types of country character, To Mr. Kendall's lot falls the part of a kindly but uncouth eccentric, whose native shrewdness eventually wins out over the deeply laid plans of a polished and villainous villain. 1 is entirely self- possessed and at ease and has a droll ¢ y, reminding one somewhat of the late Sol Smith Russell. ‘The play, though, gives him very Jitele good material, the best thing in it being a sleeping- car story from his own stock, which is introduced as a speech It may be that Mr. Kendall will succeed as a a nothing which Mr. Ezra K on of more or between the acts. star, but if he is to succeed in New York he must supply himself with more and better entertainment than is to be found in ‘The Vinegar Buyer.” ° . ° TH is the time of the year when New York takes its spring medicine in the way of dramatics. The weakest of the regular attractions give up the ghost early, and this emptying of the theatres paves the way for all kinds of experiments by attractions which would never otherwise get within shouting distance of Broadway. It’s expensive and pride-breaking for the experiment- crs, butit is also pretty hard on such New Yorkers as from duty or a mistaken anticipation of pleasure witness the experiments. ° . ° Re advertisements of ‘* As You Like It,” given on the grounds of Bar- nard College, included this startling announce- ment: AN OPEN-AIR PERFORMANCE (Through the courtesy of fr. Charles Frohman ) We have known right along that’ Mr. Charles Frohman and the Theat- rical Trust, of which he is the figurehead, con- |. trolled almest everything in the theatrical world. If also their dominion has extended to a control of the open air as well, we may expect to see them selling tickets for it commodity at two dollars a breath, which, hy the aid of speculators, they will advance to two dollars and a half and even more. . And speaking of the Theatrical Syndicate, it seems that all has not been going well with that art-inspired institution during the past season. Most of its productions have been failures, which have only been kept alive at considerable loss, and for the first time in its history an opposition has developed which bids fair to live and drive the Trust into innocuous desuetude. Of course there would be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth if the Trust should bust, but-the melancholy would be confined to its own members. Metcalfe, LIFE’S CONFIDENTIAL GUIDE TO THE THEATRES, Academy of Music.—Frank Dantels in Beiasco,—The Darling of the Gods, and admirably done, Broadway.—"The Prince of Pilsen.” 4s tuneful. : Cast “The Runaways.’ Notice tater. Daly's. My Lady Peggy Goes to Town.” See above. Garrick— Skipper & Co., Wall Street,” Farcteal comedy of New York life. Fairly amusing. Herald Square.—Last week of “Pretty Peggy." Grace George In & relocarnation of Peg Woffington, Rather interesting. Madison Square.— A Fool and Ils Money.” Very light comedy of contemporary life, Laughable. Majestic. —"The Wizard of Oz." Musical extravaganza, Worth seeing. Manhattan.—“ The Earl of Pawtucket." Best comedy of the season, Saroy.—Ezra Kendall tn “The Vinegar Buyer.” See above. Tictoria.—"The Auctioneer.” Artistic depiction of Jewish life tp New York. . Wallack’s,—"The Saltan of Sula.” tanefal, Miss Simplicity." Notice later. Japanese tragedy, impressive Musical comedy, The music Mastcal comedy, Funny and comicbooks.com