66
BISON BILLIAM.
A Moderately Good Show, But a Bad Crowd.
A fellow could hang his hat, ulster and umbrella on the atmosphere at the Academy last night. The house was insufferably over-crowded, and the management owed it to the comfort and convenience of their patrons to have closed the doors long before they did. And then the gods! A more unruly set of divinities never shouted and stamped and whistled and yelled and guyed actors from a gallery, or threw pebbles and corn. on the luckless heads in the orchestra. But it was not until dismissal time came that the gallery mob let itself loose. Such pushing, crowding, and jamming, mingled with the cries of children and the frightened ejaculations of women made a scene such as has been rarely witnessed at the Academy. The play, "20 days, or Buffalo Bill's pledge." wasn't bad. It savors less of gore and gunpowder, and has more artistic merit than William's plays usually have. But something ought to be done with the last act. It's too inconsistent to live. "I'm no actor," said Bill once to an interviewer, "I'm a star," and that was the time he hit the bull's eye. He is a star, just as Mrs. Langtry and the Ford boys, and other celebrities who adopt the stage as the most available way of exhibiting themselves to a curious people are stars. It is noticeable, however that Bill is becoming much more at home to the glare of the footlights than he was a few seasons ago, and his nervousness while shooting is wearing off. Last night he made but two misses in 20 fancy shots. W. J. Bailey assumes three characters, and does them all justice. Lole Fuller as "Pepper," a vivacious waif, who can shoot and talk slang, is fairly good and sings well. Speaking of singing reminds THE PRESS critic that the piece ought to be equipped with more taking songs. Italian operas and church music don't catch on with the class of audiences that Buffalo Willaim draws. Jule Keene is a good comedian, but he's so everlastingly homely. W. C. Donaldson as Capt. Merton Montlake, is unquestionably the weakest spot in the cast. The redskins danced a war dance, the trick mule threw up his heels and Frank Thompson played cornet solos between acts. One of the most thrillingly exciting incidents of the evening was the usual go-as-you-please between the orchestra and the gallery when the former struck up "Mary Ann, I'll tell your ma." The gallery, as usual, came in ahead on the ninth inning with laps to spare.
67
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
The "standing room only" sign was again hung in the lobby last night, and late-comers had be satisfied with standing room, provided they were fortunate enough to get that, for enough people were turned away early in the evening to make up another pretty good sized audience. Twenty Days, or Buffalo Bill's Pledge, a new play by Charles Foster, was placed upon the stage. The great Buffalo Bill is, of course, the attraction of the perfomance, but most of the other parts were admirably done, and the enthusiastic applause which came from all parts of the house throughout the entertainment showed that the piece, which, by the way, is one of the best border dramas that has ever been brought out here, was greatly enjoyed. It of course contains the usual amount of mule, negro and Dutchman, but no well regulated border drama is complete without the above accessories. Mr. Cody shows considerable imporvement as an actor, and is now comparatively free from that "amateurishness" which clung to him only a short time ago. Jule Keene showed no little ability as a Dutch comedian. Miss Tillie Shields as a Yankee girl won immediate favor, while the balance of the cast played their parts well. The exhibition of fancy rifle shooting by Buffalo Bill, the war dances of the Indian Chiefs from several tribes, He-Nu-Kah, the beautiful Indian maiden, banjo playing, singing and dancing by Jule Keene and Lote Fuller, were among the features of the performance. The same play will hold the Academy stage to-night, tomorrow, both matinee and evening performances, and the business will no doubt be a repetition of last night.
68
Schaefer's Opera House
Friday Evening, November 24th
Late Guide and Chief of Scouts for the U. S. Army.
BUFFALO BILL, Hon. Wm. F. CODY, And his own Mammoth Combination consisting of 25 FIRST CLASS ARTISTS, 25
Who will appear in the new and startling Sensational Drama written for Hon. W. F. Cody by Chas. Foster, author of "Save at Seven," entitled
20 DAYS, or Buffalo Bill's Pledge.
A Band of GENUINE INDIAN CHIEFS, from Winnebago. Sioux and Pawnee Tribes. Also, the Beautiful and accomplished Princess
HE-NU-KAW (The first born,) will appear at each performance in the Street Parade.
MR. CODY in Fancy Rifle Shooting. Grand Vocal and Instrumental Musical Olio by Mr. JULE KENE and Miss LOUI FULLER.
Trick Donkey Jerry Mr. FRANK THOMPSON, the Great Coronet Soloist. Military Brass Band and Orchestra.
Prices of Admission Reserved Seats at Geiger's...................75c General admission.............................50c Gallery...............................................85c Nov 17. 4t S T. T & F
69
Buffalo Bill and his combination played to a packed house Friday evening. The play was entitled "Twenty Days, or Buffalo Bill's Pledge." It is of the blood and thunder sensational character and is not worthy of any favorable mention. Why people hunger for this class of amusement is difficult to explain. The hundreds of young boys who were present had better been at home in bed than to be allowed to witness such trash filling their minds with dreams of frontier life. Seeing such plays and reading the sensational ten cent novels is what has made many a boy leave his home on a tramp, very often turning up as a criminal Young Orr and Mann, the boys executed here about sixteen months ago, attributed their crime to this class of sensational education. The only good feature of the night's show was "Jerry," the trick dunkey, but as he would fail to appreciate a good notice we forbear.
70
Opera House. -
INO. A. ELLSLER, Lessee & Manager.
GRAND HOLIDAY WEEK !
Every Evening and Thanksgiving Matinee, BUFFALO BILL, (Hon. W. F. Cody.)
In Charles Foster's New Play, 20 DAYS; Or, BUFFALO BILLS PLEDGE.
A great company, with a genuine tribe of Indians. Monday, Dec. 4 -- Mary Anderson.