Life — March 31, 1904 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

«LIFE - instead of choosing one where w nness (to coin a word) is So pronounce York. , she would have been taken tore seriously in) “The Ruling Power” and the work of its star together make one of those experiments of the theatre at which New York shrugs ity shoulders, and in which it refuses to become interested. O more does it seem to be wildly enthusiastic about Mr. Menry Miller and * Man Proposes.” Here is a pretty play, ina pretty theatre, and at the head of its company an actor who has been esteemed a popular favorite. Neither play nor performance is calculated to be considered remarkable ; but not long since the same things would have been sure of good patronage, from the mouey point of view. Now New York seems to have become indifferent to every- thing except things done with a musical accompaniment, or on a spectacular. s or because they have some unusual feature to recommend them. Iteannot be said that Mr. Miller's play is so well cast ay to make it anything like perfect in present it is not so badly done as to make this the reason for its being neglected by the public. Besides, the public has not been wont to be so intelligently critical in matters of detail. ‘There is evi- dently something at work deep down in the public mind which is making hard sledding for attractions which are based on the for- merly successful ideas of production followed by the Theatrical jcate. “ Man Proposes” is a pleasing little play of English rural life. It gives Mr. Henry Miller a part which fits him admirably, because it does not call for much flexibility or emotional powe Wykeham, alias Doctor Leigh, is a dignified and gentlemanly character, moving in a small sphere of action, and Mr. Miller responds to its requirements admirably, Dorothy Hammond, who is Esther, the hei Joes not, on account of personal deficiencies, make the part plausible. The character parts are in competent hands, but the east otherwise is remarkubly commonplace. “Man Proposes” competently done throughout would have made a restful and pleasing entertainment. As it is, the perform- ance seems too trifling to expect the public to pay two dollars and ahalfa seat to witness it ILE there may be some indifference in the theatres, there is none at the Barnum and Bailey Circus. ‘This year's performance contains many novelties and goes off with even more than the usual exactness and finish, The cycling feats are really hair-raising, but they are also pic- turesque, and what's the use of going’ to the circus, anyway, if some of its features are not startling? Things which once used to set our hearts thumping on account of their danger are now only ordinary details of a circus, and this year's most thrilling accomplishments may seem the same to our offspring. . . ° * | YHIS autumn we are to have the classic combination of Bern- hardt in a Sardou pl. “La Sorciére” has just had its hundredth performance in Paris, and in it Madame h is said to renew her triumphs, It is to be hoped that, if this is to be her farewell tour, it will not end so ingloriously as Patti's. TRVEN musical enthusiasts illing to admit that Doctor “4 Strauss's so-called “tone poem,” the “Symphonia Dom isa good deal like the youth and girl kissing in th dark—he may know all about it, but no one else does. Which is an encouraging sign of a possible return t mn the part of the musical enthusiasts. . . JQ ROTHER ANDREW CARNEGIE says ina recent interview AO that he has read a lotof Shakespeare to Sie Meury Irving, This may have been . but wasn’t ita little rough on Sh Retasco.—* Sweet Kitty Bellatrs.” Well staged and Interesting romantic comedy. roadway. —* The Yankee Consul.” Laughable and melodious, Criterion.—" Merely Mary Ann. with Miss Eleanor Robson ty the tite part, Love story with tumorou: . ches. Interesting. Daty's.—Edith Wynne Mathis She Stoops to Con: Empire.— Augustus Thomas's "The Other Girl. Up-to-date American, comedy. Amusing and well done, Garden. —“The Secret of Polichinelle.”* Moditied French comedy. Diverting. Garrick. —Katherine Kennedy in “ The Ruling Power.” See opposite, Herald Square — "The Girt from Kay's.” Imported musical comedy Funny and tuneful, Mudson.—Wenry Miller in “Man Proposes." See above, Knickertncker.—Forbes Robertson and Gertrude Elifott in + Hamlet.” Mr, Robertson's Hamlet ts well worth seein, Lyceum.—Last week of “ The Admirable Crichton.” Harrie’ satirical comedy, Lyric —Wilton Lackaye in “The Pit.” Chicago soclat and business life tn crade melodrama, Madison Square Garden,—The Barnum and Bailey Circus. See above. Majestic." The Wizard of Oz." Musical aud amusing extravaganza, Manhattan, —" The Virginian.” Cowbog life 1a dramatic form. Vaudeville —Arnold Waly’s excellent company In au artistic rendering of Bernard Shaw's * Candida.” Watlack"s.—“ The County Chairman." American politics made funny by George Ade. AN ELECTROTYPE TRAGEDY. ) THE GIRL ILLUSTRATION, “Om, Yt TO MER PEN-AND-INK STRADY, NEAT-BY WE'RE DMPOSSIBLE SWELLS, AND MUST LIVE IN TWO WELLS, TOR THEY'VE DRAWN US ELEVEN ucaps uton! comicbooks.com