Page 40
Facsimile
Transcription
BUFFALO BILL.
There was a great scarcity of gallery room at the Academy of Music last evening, and in fact the most fashionable portion of the house was taxed to its limits to witness the performance of Hon. William F. Cody in Colonel Prentiss Ingraham's romantic melodrama entitled "Buffalo Bill at Bay." The piece is replete with startling situations which were cheered to the echo, and contrary to expectation there was an entire absence of the shooting and powder smoke which have been so long regarded as essential to the proper porduction of the border drama. The interest of the play is sustained from beginning to end by a series of exciting incidents of which Buffalo Bill is the hero. The other characters are well drawn, and there is a sufficient share of spice and grotesque humor in the piece to make it amusing and entertaining. During the progess of the drama Mr. Cody gave an exhibition of his marvelous marksmanship, which was watched with breathless intereset by his audi-ence. As an actor, he has improved very much since his first appearance in this city. In addition to retaining his fine picturesque presence, he delivers is lines much easier, and manifests a familiarity with the stage business, which was conspicuous for its absence when he came here with Ned Buntline, Texas Jack and Wild Bill. He appears to much better advantage in Colonel Ingraham's play than anything which he has hitherto produced here, and his present trip is said to be one of the most profitable that he has yet made through this country.
Buffalo Bill.
Music Hall presented a sight worth seeing last night. One of the largest audiences ever seen within its walls greeted Buffalo Bill and his company. "Standing room only" was announced early in the evening, and when the play began every seat in the house, up stairs and down, was occupied and the aisles were filled besides. More than 1,100 tickets were sold at the box office, and over 1,400 witnessed the performance. The receipts were about $860.
The play was written to bring out the strong points of Mr. Cody's acting, and was much like the other border dramas on the stage. There was perhaps less powder burned and there was a somewhat better plot. The Indians were quite a feature in the entertainment and their weird dances and primitive music created quite an excitement. The little donkey, a most intelligent creature, was very amusing and is even better trained than when here before. The company was quite good and the parts were acceptably rendered. The audience was not only immense but enthusiastic to a degree, and testified their approbation by frequent and hearty applause. Buffalo Bill has the honor of having the largest house of the season--in fact it is doubtful if Music Hall ever held more people than were present last night.
--Even the bar had to succumb yesterday to the attraction of Buffalo Bill's aboriginal following, and when his parade passed the Court House, its windows were filled with legal heads anxious to see the copper colored braves in their war-paint.
--Owners of wooden "Injuns" would do well to look after them today, as Buffalo William and his band of real redskins will invade the city.
Buffalo Bill.
This famous delineator of the characteristics of the border heroes, will appear at the Academy on Thursday evening next. The mere announcement that he is coming to Seranton is sufficient to insure a crowded house. He has always attracted so many people to his representations that hundreds have been unable to get into the building. His appearance in our city again will be waited for with interest. The play is entitled "Buffalo Bill at Bay; or the Pearl of the Prairie." It was written expressly for him by Col. Prentiss Ingraham. A genuine band of Indians accompanies him together with several interpreters. He is well supported by a strong company, and during the play will introduce his marvelous rifle shooting act.
Notes and Questions
Nobody has written a note for this page yet
Please sign in to write a note for this page
