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Haverly's Brooklyn Theatre.
Last week, the patrons of Haverly's Theatre were treated to an excellent performance of a well written drama, descriptive of scenes and incidents peculiar to border life in the Far West. Last night the curtain rose on a representation of another phase of the history of the progress of civilization towards the extreme western section of the country; but this time the dramatic story was presented in a very different form, being told in mediocre language, while its characters were performed by a company no better than the play they appear in. The "Prairie Waif" is a drama written expressly for the Western hero, W. F. Cody; it is simply a gallery play, and of an inferior order at that and the "boys" who worship at the shrine of "Buffalo Bill" seemed to realize the fact intuitively, for they crowded the gallery to excess. But this was done at the cost of a meagre attendance in the parquet and dress circle - the lower part of the house not being half full. The play runs through four acts, during which three attractive set scenes are pressented - that in the second act being a very pretty picture. There are two redeeming features in the performance of the tragic comedy, and these are the presence of the Indian guide and army scout, Buffalo Bill whose manly and handsome physique is seen to advantage, and the appearance of the Cheyenne Indians - there are two of them and an interpreter. The former imparts interest to one act of the play by the exhibition of Buffalo Bill's skill with the rifle, and the war dance of the Indians in the last act are attractive novelties. Beyond this the play drags wearily, except to the gallery audience, who are gratified with the rather common variety business introduced, and with the stereotyped blood and thunder business which characterizes portions of the drama. The actors played only to the crowded part of the house, and one of them pitched his voice as if he desired to be heard in the street. Such a play and such a performance following in the wake of the "Danites" and other attractive dramas which have been presented at this theatre this season so far, naturally cause a reaction which must necessarily tell badly upon the receipts at the box office. Variety in the make up of a theatrical season's programme is an essential requisite; but due regard should always be had to the nature of the representation, so as to keep up the high standard of general excellence aimed at.
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NOVELTY THEATRE
FIFTH AND SOUTH FOURTH STREETS, BROOKLYN, E.D.
THEALL & WILLIAMS.................Managers JOSEPH B. AYERS........................Scenic Artist and Stage Director
PROGRAMME FOR WEEK. COMMENCING JANUARY 24, 1881. EVERY EVENING AT 8 Wednesday and Saturday Matinees at 2, The Renowned Government Scout and Guide,
BUFFALO BILL, (Hon. WILLIAM F. CODY,)
And his SUPERB NEW COMBINATION of TWENTY-FOUR FIRST CLASS DRAMATIC ARTISTS,
Engaged expressly for Buffalo Bill's New and Powerful Border Drama, which will be produced for the first time in this city, taken from scenes in Buffalo Bill's past life, and written expressly for him by JOHN A. STEVENS, author of "UNKNOWN," entitled
THE PRAIRIE WAIF. STORY OF THE FAR WEST. NOTE CAREFULLY THE STRONG CAST:
BUFFALO BILL........................................Hon. W.F. CODY Mark Stanley...........................................R.C. White Jim Hardie......{Danites}...........................Harry Clifton Jack Hardie.............................................[Geo.?] T. James Hans.......................................................Bonnie Runnels Captain Russel.........................................C. Wilson Charles General Brown........................................Ralph Delmore E. Overton, a sutler..................................Robert Neil Lone Deer...............................................William Wright Major Saunders.......................................Harry Irving Yellow Hand, Cheyenne Chief..................Chas. Vedder Lieutenant White....................................E. Booth Jack Cass................................................Jerry ONITA....................................................Miss LIZZIE FLETCHER SADIE....................................................Miss CONNIE THOMPSON
Danites, Indians, Soldiers, etc.
SYNOPSIS. ACT I.- Prairie Waif. (Lapse of One Year between First and Second Acts.) ACT II.- Home of Buffalo Bill. ACT III.- The Attack and Defiance. ACT IV.- The Rescue.
In ACT IV. a Genuine Band of Cheyenne Indian Chiefs will appear in their Scalp and War Dances, assisted by C.A. BURGESS, Indian Interpreter.
MR. CODY ("Buffalo Bill") will give an exhibition of Fancy Rifle Shooting, in which he is acknowledged pre-eminent and alone.
During the Evening the following selections will be performed by the Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. HARRY WALKER:
OVERTURE-"Romantique"................................................KELLER BELA WALTZ- "Hydroveten"...................................................GUNGI.
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Novelty Theatre.
"The Prairie Waif" in which Buffalo Bill, the well known government scout and guide, is now performing at the Novelty Theatre, is by long odds the best play of the class known as border drama. While there is sufficient introduction of the pistol, the rifle and bowie knife to satisfy the most exacting lovers of stage slaughter, there is less of it than is customary in those dramas, and when some one is shot to the death, or wounded, there always seems to be some reason for it. There is a plot to the play which runs through every act and scene, something never before heard of in any Indian drama. The parquet of the Novelty was well filled last night and the best compliment that can be paid to piece and performance was that very intelligent people sat the play out with evident interest and enjoyment. Buffalo Bill, of course, plays the leading role. He is the same picturesque hero as of old; the protector of right and innocence, the overthrower of villanous plots and strategies, the rescuer of virtue, and finally the signally rewarded friend of the government. The gentleman plays with more force than heretofore and is greatly improved in his execution. The best of him however, is his magnificent physique, his piercing, clear eye, and his expansive chest. The second of there stood him in good stead in some exhibitions of fancy rifle shooting, which were really marvelous. He has not dropped into the clap-trap custom of shooting at objects in the hands or on the heads of human beings. One thing about the gentleman's make-up deserves correction: while wearing a costume chiefly Indian, and after being exposed to the elements in a long hunt, the pantaliens of a Mexican hidalgo are not exactly the right thing to grace his stalwart legs. The most meritorious of the company that supports Hon. William F. Cody is Bonnie Runnells, who makes Hans a feature of the piece. His rich German accent, his funny positions, his broad humor, all help to make his performance extremely amusing. Mr. R. C. White amply fills the role of Mark Stanley; Harry Clifton and George T. James make a sufficiently interesting pair of Danites; C. Wilson Charles relucks through the part of Captain Russell, with a rich Irish accent, and Robert Neil is a dignified General Brown. The drama only provides parts for two ladies- Miss Lizzie Fletcher and Miss Connie Thompson. The former is a graceful, pretty, petite blonde with a peculiarly sympathectic voice and excellent ideas of acting. She is worthy of a place in more elevated drama. Miss Thompson is a good soubrette, and her business with Hans is very amusing, without being coarse. A live donkey and three genuine Cheyenne Chiefs add to the attractions of the performance. Next week, the Harrisons, in their eccentric musical comedy, "Photos."
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MOORE'S OPERA HOUSE. Saturday Evening, Oct. 1st. The Famous Scout and Guide.
HON. WM. F. CODY, "BUFFALO BILL!"
And his Mammoth Combination.
DR. F. POWELL, (White Beaver), Medicine Chief of the Sioux Indians.
HE-NU-KAN, (The first-born), The most beautiful Indian Girl in the World. A noted troupe of Winnebago SIOUX INDIAN CHIEFS, Supported by a
POWERFUL DRAMATIC COMPANY, Producing John A. Stevens' Great Border Drama, entitled
"PRAIRIE WAIF!"
FANCY RIFLE SHOOTING by Buffalo Bill. JACK CASS, the finest trained Donkey in America. A GRAND STREET PARADE upon arrival of the company. Buffalo Bill's SILVER CORNET BAND and ORCHESTRA. Reserved Seats Dress Circle, $1.00; Parquette, 75 cents; Gallery, 50 cents. Tickets on sale at 9 A.M. Thursday. WM. F. CODY., Prop. and M'gr. HARRY SELLERS, Bus. Manager.
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BUFFALO BILL, with his troupe of genuine Indians, will appear at Moore's Opera House this evening. Secure your seats early to avoid the rush to hear the "Prairie Waif."
THE New York Herald says: "Buffalo Bill made a triumphant debut in his new play. The "Prairie Waif" was produced for the first time at the Windsor Theater last night. It is the best border drama we have ever seen. Buffalo Bill was, of course, the central figure and deservedly obtained the recognition of the large audience present. His sharp-shooting was excellent and his acting was vigorous and natural. Some of the points he made last night were very effective and artistic. It is but just to say that he has wonderfully improved as an actor. He has selected for his company artists who are mindful of the public demand for clever acting."
THE Kellogg Opera Company will appear at Moore's Opera House next month. Miss Kellogg is the prima donna of America. This will be the musical event of the season.
LOOK out for the Buffalo Bill parade to day, and remember Buffalo Bill appears at Moore's Opera House to night.
BUFFALO BILL had an audience of 2,200 people at Milwaukee, and large audiences at St. Paul. The Pioneer Press says: "It is very seldom that a larger audience assembles than that which greeted Buffalo Bill and his company last evening. The seats in the lower part of the house were all filled and the gallery was packed in seating and standing spaces. The scenes of the border drama, mixed with plenty of wit and humor, kept the audience in a roar of laughter and applause. Mr. Cody's rifle practice was as accurate as ever, and altogether it gave such satisfaction as will call another large audience this evening to witness his last appearance." The company will appear at Moore's Opera House this evening.
THAT was not Buffalo Bill's parade on our streets yesterday. His company will not arrive until 2:30 this afternoon; then look out for the Silver Cornet Band and his troupe of Indians and Jack Cass, and in the evening at Moore's Opera House.