Life — September 27, 1906 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

ANNIE RUSSELL AS “Puck” uise Closser cffectively shows her arti: willingness to sink her agreeable personality in the requirements of a humorouscharacter and a number of attractive women adorn the stage and exhibit handsome gowns in the furtherance of the plot. “ Clothes" is evidently aimed at the public which is looking for what is smart and up to date. In this it should be successful, even if as a dramanie construction it is confused by trying to do too many things, some of which have been better done before. It should provide an agreeable evening's en- tertainment for those whose artistic ideals are not sct too high. en HE Hippodrome begins the new season under the management of the Shuberts ‘The policy will remain as before, the enter- tainment consisting of circus, ballet and _ spectacle. * 8 8 HOEVER was responsible for the disappointment of the large audience which assembled at the Astor Theatre to sce the first performance of “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” with Annie Russell as Puck, ought to be held up to public con- demnation. The representative of the management who made the speech dismiss- ing the audience failed to make it clear just who the guilty person was. It seemed to rest between the Fire Department and the owner of the theatre. It is difficult to believe that it was the Fire Commissioner's office, *LIP E* because there has been no great fire disaster in a theatre lately and that public office has probably dropped into its usual between-hol- ocausts condition of somnolence where the safety of audiences in theatres is concerned. It was stated that the production had been ready to present for some time and it is a fact that after having been announced it was postponed owing to the theatre not being ready. It scems probable, therefore, that the owners of the theatre were respon- sible for the dismissal of a large and bril- liant audience, in which case they should be held up to public censure, and Messrs. Wagenhals and Kemper, the managers, as well as Annie Russell, should be able to secure substantial damages if there was a breach of contract. The audience, which was particularly good-natured considering the circumstances, had the opportunity of inspecting a very attractive playhouse and plenty of time in which to do it. As the postponement occurred just as it was time for LIFE to go to press, it is possi- ble at this writing to give Lirr’s readers only the portrait of Annie Russell as she ex- pected to look if the performance had taken place. Lire’s intentions in the premises were good, but it has not yet reached that perfection of discernment which would enable it to review a performance before it occurred. Meanwhile, Annie Russell, who has always been a conscientious artist and deserved well of the public, is entitled to sympathy for what must have been a severe and, in a way, humiliating, disap pointment. Later. It seems that, after all, the in- ability to open the Astor Theatre was due to the fact that an official of the Fire Depart- ment named Beggin, wo hoo should have been present to THE ALTHOFYS. AT THE HIPPODROME 343 complete the necessary inspection, left the theatre just before the audience as- sembled and was not 10 be found when the work was completed. Mr. Beggin may be a very conscientious official, but it is incumbent on the Fire Commis- sioner to explain why he was not to be found at a time when he was the only per- son in New York who could have saved a large number of citizens from serious inconvenience and an important under- taking from danger of failure. There have been suggestions of attempt- ed graft in connection with the incident. These might be dispelled by a frank ex- planation from the Fire Commissioner. Metcalfe. Academy of Music— Mizpah.” Notice later. A stor—Annie, Russell as Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” See above. Jasco—" The Girl of the Golden West." Good company in an absorbing and wellstaged American play. Bijou—Last week of “The Music Master,” with 's exquisite character acting. Notice jater. Em pire- “His House in Order.” Drama of English family life with Mr. John Drew as the star. Int-resting and for the most part well acted. Garrich—Mr. Crane and capable company in “The Price of Money." Fairly interesting light drama by the author of “The Walls of Jericho.” Hockett—" Man and His Angel,” by Stanley Dark. Notice later. Herald Square—" About Town.” Unusually good cast beaded by Lew Fields in diverting musical play. Hippodrome—"A Society Circus” and “The Court of the Golden Fountains,” revived in all their original gorgeousness. Lyric—Mme. Bertha Kalich in “‘The Kreutzer Sonata.” “An absorbing play of New York life with extraordinarily good acting by the star. Morestic~"'The Tourists” Elaborately staged musical play with Mr. Richard Golden as the co median. Funnier than usual. Mankattan—Grace George in “Clothes.” See above: Weber's—Hilda Spong in “John Hudson's Wife.” Notice later. LIFE’S WEATHER FORECAST Generally jair comicbooks.com