OUR THEATRICAL PLAYGROUND.
THE theatrical season in New York opened auspiciously about the first of September, and up to the present time shows no sign of in any way not keeping up to its early promise; and this despite the fact of an exciting presidential campaign, when mass meetings, torch-light processions and brass bands in the streets furnish all the elements of a free show outside the theatres. As a rule, a presidential year—at least the few weeks of the canvass preceding the election—seriously effects the attendance at all places of amusement. The past few weeks, however, seem to prove an exception. And no class of entertainment, so long as it is good, appears to be singled out for preference.
FAREWELL, WALLACK’S!
Colonel McCaull, with “Boccaccio,” easily led the comic opera patronage at Wallack’s. It was the best performance of the opera ever given in the city. Comedy and song are so happily blended in the work that it requires actors and singers to present it properly, and McCaull gave both. “Boccaccio,” by the McCaull Opera Company, will pass into the dramatic annals of this city as the last performance given in Wallack’s. October 6 Wallack’s ceased to exist, and a name which for more than a generation was a household word throughout the country passed away into a memory and becomes a tradition.
MEMORIES OF HOME.
As a contrast to the rollicking fun of comic opera let us see how the Academy of Music is doing with “The Old Homestead.” Here is a medley—it can hardly be called a play—which savors so strongly of country life that one almost feels the breath of the new-mown hay, or the genial warmth of a happy hearthstone while witnessing Den Thompson’s performance. It is a touch of nature, and thousands throng into the Academy to feel its influence.
A CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK.
When young Sothern, at the Lyceum, came upon the stage as Lord Chumley, an indistinct something or other flashed through the minds of old theatre-goers. It was impossible at first to tell what produced that feeling, but as the play unraveled itself, and Mr. Sothern warmed to his work, it seemed as if the spirit of the elder Sothern animated the younger, and Lord Chumley was a blood relative of the lamented Lord Dundreary. As was the case with Dundreary so it was with Chumley—both sprung into popularity in a night. As in Laura Keene’s, crowds were drawn in days gone by to see the father, so now at the present day throngs fill the pretty Lyceum to look upon the son.
NOT OF THE FIRST WATER.
The handsome Broadway Theatre reopened with “The Queen’s Mate,” and the opera was followed by “The Kaffir Diamond.” Notwithstanding the admirable manner in which the drama was mounted and the magnificent performance of Mr. Aldrich as Shoulders, it failed to meet with public approval. The play is not a good one. It has some strong points and good situations, but it drags in places. It is claimed it will make a good road show. It may, but I doubt it. “Mr. Barnes of New York” succeeded “The Kaffir Diamond” on October 15.
CAB, SIR?
Edward Harrigan opened his theatre with another of those local admixtures which he calls “Waddy Googan.” Waddy is a hack driver, and Mr. Harrigan draws him to life, and places him in scenes and situations so faithfully true that the theatre is unable to accommodate his patrons. “Waddy Googan’s” run promises to be a long one.
A SUCCESSFUL WRECK.
William Gillette has made another success with “A Legal Wreck.” When he first produced it at the Madison Square he did not expect it would do more than fill out a part of his season there. Its success, however, was such that the piece will hold possession until the 10th of this month, when A. M. Palmer’s company returns to begin the regular winter season.
JULES VERNE’S STORY IN TIGHTS.
At Niblo’s Garden “Mathias Sandorf” came in with the season, and brought a flock of the prettiest ballet girls that ever adorned Niblo’s stage. “Mathias Sandorf” was said to be written by Jules Verne. M. Verne may have written it, but the people who filled the theatre at every performance lost all recollection of the story in the bright smiles and entrancing movements of the fairies of the ballet. Some managers have a weakness for the antique in the selection of their coryphées, but the rare experience of E. G. Gilmore and Bolossy Kiralfy teaches them that the young have much more attractiveness in the present day.
UP-HILL WORK.
J. M. Hill has produced a play called “Philip Herne” at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. It was written by Mrs. Mary Fiske, a very bright writer, and a lady well known in journalistic and theatrical circles. “Philip Herne” has not yet come up to its manager’s expectations. The play has all the advantages of a good cast. After a four weeks’ run at the Fifth Avenue it went up to the Standard for a five weeks’ stay. Mr. Hill is a very plucky manager, and is not afraid to meet defeat. Sometimes he even turns defeat into victory. Who can tell? “Philip Herne” may yet result in the victory Mr. Hill believes it capable of achieving.
THE FASCINATION OF IMPROBABILITIES.
J. Wesley Rosenquest, one of the most enterprising and intelligent of our younger managers, has now two theatres to guide instead of one—the Bijou Opera House and the Fourteenth Street Theatre. At the latter place of amusement, Cora Tanner has made the success of her career in “Fascination.” “Fascination” is a comedy, written by Robert Buchanan, and is about as improbable a story as one can listen to. But what of that? The people throng to see the play, or Cora Tanner, or both; and in this way stamp its improbabilities with the brand of success.
RICHARD NEVILLE.
FOR a writer of books on sporting subjects one qualification is absolutely indispensable if the result is to be a success, and this is that the author shall have his heart thoroughly in his work. In no other class of literature is the lack of such a qualification made so palpable to the reader. In “Wild Fowl Shooting” (Chicago: Rand, McNally & Co., 1888) Mr. William Bruce Leffingwell shows his love and knowledge of sport in a way which will give his work a high place in sporting literature. From the first to the last chapter the book is nothing if not practical, and the information is pleasantly interspersed with anecdotes and stories in such a way that the veteran will read with amusement and interest, and the tyro will gather instruction and pleasure at the same time. The scientific portions which are gleaned from the best sources are not unduly obtrusive, though of sufficient length to give any information required. The volume has the additional advantage of being illustrated.
IT is not often that the writer of a book of travel gives such thorough attention to his subject as did William Eleroy Curtis (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1888) in “The Capitals of Spanish America.” In his position as Commissioner from the United States to the Governments of Central and South America, the author had an opportunity which he improved fully and with profit. President Arthur’s unsigned letter, sent after his death, accepting the dedication and consenting to write the Introduction, is an interesting memento. The accounts given by the author of the cities and peoples he visited are full of life and interest, while more serious points are by no means neglected. But even the dry facts are so pleasantly discussed in chatty fashion and interlarded by anecdote and tale that no dry bones are left. The book is very profusely and, for the most part, handsomely illustrated.
REALISTIC fiction has in the last two years gained a strong foothold in this country. To-day twenty good writers might be named with whom this tendency has become a characteristic. There is undoubtedly an American school of fiction building up which will become distinctive of our day and country. But “Len Gansett,” by Opie P. Read (Boston: Ticknor & Co., 1888), is hardly calculated to reflect credit on this school. Realism is not all-sufficient, but must be ably seconded by literary merit to meet with general approbation. The plot of this work is so poor that one wonders at the finish why it should have ever been introduced. The characters are weak and quite devoid of originality, while the charms and picturesqueness which might have been introduced into such surroundings are conspicuous by their absence.
THERE are books that win favor by their very name. “Chris,” by W. E. Norris (London and New York: Macmillan & Co., 1888), is a volume that has more than a name to make a way for it. From the moment that one picks up this novel, one becomes intensely interested in the fortunes of the wayward heroine. The interest acquired in her various entanglements is almost personal, and when she is delivered from the clutches of the unscrupulous Val Richardson, one breathes a sigh of relief. Some of the prettiest touches are in connection with the faithful Peter, and when the faithful canine friend meets his untimely end, entire sympathy is felt with Chris in her wild and erratic flight. The characters are well drawn, though there is a tendency to overcoloring in some; but in spite of the interest of the book the plot can hardly be designated as original or deep.
UNIVERSAL as has been the baseball mania, it is an astonishing fact how little literature has sprung up in connection with the game. This is well shown in the introduction to “Hygiene for Baseball Players,” by A. H. P. Leuf, M.D. (Philadelphia: A. J. Reach & Co. 1888)—a work which, though unpretentious in appearance, is a most valuable and timely publication. It discusses at considerable length the “physiology and philosophy of curve-pitching,” and, as might be gathered from its name, “the diseases and treatment of ball players.” In addition, the relation of human anatomy to the methods of play, proper exercises for players, and numerous other bearings of the game are fully discussed. Illustrations amplify the merits of the text.
A MANUAL that will surely prove of real use to the yachtsman and canoeist is Captain Howard Patterson’s “Canal Guide” (New York Navigation School, New York). As the author truly remarks, it opens up a comparatively new field to yachtsmen, and offers a change to the annual cruise along the same coast line. The instructions given, and tables of depth of water, width of locks, etc., seem to be very complete and to furnish all necessary information.
CARP culture has of late come into much prominence among the pisciculturists of America. A valuable text-book on the subject reaches us, entitled, “Practical Carp Culture,” by L. P. Logan (Youngstown, O.: Evening Herald Print, 1888). Every feature of the industry is fully discussed, and both those who intend to engage in it, and those who take an interest in it as a measure of public utility, should study this little work. Rather more care in preparation might have been advantageously expended on the preparation of the volume, as in a preface of thirty-seven words there are two spelled wrongly.