| Page 27Novelty 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 the bowie knife to satisfy the most exacting lovers of stage slaughter, there is less of it that is customary in those drama, 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 every 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 elecution. The best of him however, is his magnificent physique, his piercing, clear eye, and his expansive chest. The second of these tood 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 pantaloons of a Mexican bidalgo are not exactly the right thing to grace his stalwart left. The most meritorious of the company that supports Hon. William F. Cody is 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 rollicks 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 sumpathetic 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."
NOVELTY THEATRE, WILLIAMSBURG--"PRAIRIE WAIF."
There were wild scenes and incidents, portrayal of life on the plains, enacted on the boards of Messrs. Theal & Williams' cosey Novelty Theatre, Williamsburg, last evening. The patrons of the only legitimate place or amusement in the Eastern District of the City of [Churches?] devoted to the drama were treated to a representaton of John A. Stevens' "Prairie Waif," the central figure of the play being the redoubtable government guide and scout, "Buffalo Bill" (William Cody). The boys were fairly wild with delight upon beholding the hero of so many dime novel stories in the flesh, and flanked by a genuine troupe of Cheyenne Indian Chiefs. The tomahawk and the war whoop will captivate the worthy 'Burgers under the wooing influence of the "Prairie Waif" throughout the present week.
NOVELTY THEATRE WILLIAMSBURGH.--This cosy home theatre, which has produced so many popular successes during the present season, and which is always well filled by [the?] elite of Brooklyn Society, will present for the consideration of their patrons on Monday Jan. 24th, and during the week, Hon. Wm. H. Cody, as "Buffalo Bill," which has always met with the greatest success wherever it has been produced, it is one of those few plays which never fails to instruct and amuse, and we have but little doubt but what it will draw good houses, and make glad the hearts of those enterprising managers Messrs. Theall & Williams, who are ever endeavoring to produce what is best calculated to be appreciated by their patrons. The usual matinees will be given on Wednesday and Saturday.
Haverly's Theatre.
Buffalo Bill (William F.Cody) and his dramatic company and a troupe of Indians appeared in the drama of border life, entitled " The Prairie Waif," at Haverly's Theatre last evening, before a fair downstairs audience and a crowded gallery. As a play there there is not much in "The Prairie Waif." It is supposed to be founded on incidents in the life of Mr. Cody, when living the life of a hunter and acting as government scout and guide in the Far West. In the first act Buffalo Bill rescues from the Indians a young girl called Onita, who, it subsequently transpires, is a daughter of a General Brown, and who had been stolen when a child. In the second act Buffalo Bill, not yet knowing who Onita really is, falls in love with her, and tells her so in an awkward fashion. She reciprocates, and they would have been married at once had not some Danties just then carried off Onita. The third act is devoted to the efforts of Buffalo Bill to rescue Onita from the Danites, but he fails for the time being. In the fourth and last act Buffalo Bill tells General Brown that he had found his long lost daughter and that he loves her, but that both the Danites and the Indians have possession of her. Bill, of course, goes to her rescue, with U.S. troops, and succeeds in his self-appointed task. The curtain falls on happy Buffalo Bill, happy Onita and happy General Brown, surrounded by a half score of dead and wounded Indians, over whom U. S. Troops flourish swords and bayonets and wave the Stars and Stripes. Inciedental to the play are the usual Dutch and Irish witticisms by the low comedian element, several songs, some fine rifle shooting by Buffalo Bill and a war dance by real Indians. There are also several very funny scenes, and the audience have ample provocation for laughter. The play appeals strongly to the gallery element, by whom it will doubtless be largely patronized. The acting, what there is of it, is fair, but Buffalo Bill took to the page too late in life to ever be good and as he is a handsome specimen of perfec manhood physically.
Next week the latest success of the Union Square Theatre, "Daniel Rochert," will be produced with a strong cast.
Harverly's Brooklyn Theatre.
Last week, the patrons of the Harverly'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 toward 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 "Prarie 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 actractive set scenes are presented-- that in the second act being 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 the 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 attractice 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.
BUFFALO BILL says Brooklyn is the City of Ash Barrels.
Haverly's Theatre.
The howling storm last evening did not prevent the attendance of a large gallery audience at Haverly's Theatre, but the down stairs seats were not well patronized. Buffalo Bill's trained donkey added to the amusement of the evening by an exhibition of its tricks. As the Indian who carries Connie Thompson off the stage seems to have more than he can do comfortably, and makes Connie laugh in her sleep, Buffalo Bill might transfer the job to the donkey, who is evidently stronger than the Indian. Something far better than "The Prairie Waif" may be expected next week, when "Daniel Rochat," the Union Square Theatre success, will be produced with a strong cast of characters and the original scenery and effects.
Haverly's Brooklyn Theaatre.
One recommendation to favor that can be predicted of the fine handsome scout now playing himself at Haverly's Theater lies in the fact that his skillw ith the rifly is exhibited without placing anybody in jeopardy. He proves not only that he is a dead shot, but also that he has good sense.
BUFFALO BILL.-- A new play written expressly for Mr. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) 'is to be played at the Olympic Theatre. "The title of the drama is the prairie Waif, a Story of the Far West," and isfrom the pen of Mr. John A. Stevens. The following is the story of the drama. The curtain riseson the twenty-fifth anniversary of Gen. Brown's wedding day, who, some ten years previous, had lost his daughter named Bertha, some five years old, who, while walking with her nurse one day, was stolen by concealted men, and the nurse killed. The disappearance of the child was to the father a dark mystery. An adventurer named Hardi, a territorial offical under Mormon sway, had, by a dying confession, obtained the secret to the girl's history, and tracks her to her concealment. He determined to gain possession of her person, marry her, and thereby gain position and wealth; to accomplish which, by threats and bribes he acquires the agency of a worthless drunken renegade. He finds the girl under protection of an aged Indian chief called Lone Deer, who is on his way with the waif to the fort, to seek the protection of the commandant. On their way they are intercepted by Hardi and his satillites. who are about to seize the girl and carry her off, when Buffalo Bill suddenly appears, a fight ensues, and in the struggle Lone Deer is mortally wounded. The ruffians being discomfited run away and leave Buffalo Bill and the little waif who sadly bemoans the death of her faithful Indian. Bill, being touched by her loneliness and grief, offers her his protection, and bringsher to his homestead and places her in the charge of his mother, who faithfully and affectionately watches over her while she lives. But at the length the old lady dies, and the little waif having developed into a beautiful girl, is sincerly beloved by Bill. She reciprocates his affection and they become man and wife. The villainous Hardi, relentless in his hatred, with his Mormon Danites set fire to the homestead and burn [word] to the ground. Bill fights his way out and with his wife and a couple of companions make a forced march across the plains. At length, after many vicissitudes the waif is restored to happiness, and a doting father regains his lost child. Mr. Cody will sustain the character of Buffalo Bill, and the other characters in the drama will be sustained by an efficient company.
BUFFALO BILL is a genuine, and the following scrap of his history will show what kind of chap he is: In August, 1868, he rode in 12 hours from Fort Larned to Fort Zarah and back, 65 miles; in the succeeding 12 hours he carried dispatches to Gen. Sheridan from Fort Larned to Fort Hayes, 65 miles. From Fort Hayes he rode in the next 24 hours to Fort Dodge,95 miles; on the next night he went to Fort Larned, 35 miles on foot and 30 miles on a mule; and, again, the next night from Fort Larned to Fort Hayes, 65 miles. He made on horses, mules, and afoot 355 miles, andhe was in the saddle or afoot 58 hours. These successive rides were made through a rough, irregular country swarming with hostile Indians, where there were no roads and hardly a perceptible trail, which had to be followed in the obscurity of the night. | Page 27Novelty 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 the bowie knife to satisfy the most exacting lovers of stage slaughter, there is less of it that is customary in those drama, 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 every 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 elecution. The best of him however, is his magnificent physique, his piercing, clear eye, and his expansive chest. The second of these tood 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 pantaloons of a Mexican bidalgo are not exactly the right thing to grace his stalwart left. The most meritorious of the company that supports Hon. William F. Cody is 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 rollicks 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 sumpathetic 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."
NOVELTY THEATRE, WILLIAMSBURG--"PRAIRIE WAIF."
There were wild scenes and incidents, portrayal of life on the plains, enacted on the boards of Messrs. Theal & Williams' cosey Novelty Theatre, Williamsburg, last evening. The patrons of the only legitimate place or amusement in the Eastern District of the City of [Churches?] devoted to the drama were treated to a representaton of John A. Stevens' "Prairie Waif," the central figure of the play being the redoubtable government guide and scout, "Buffalo Bill" (William Cody). The boys were fairly wild with delight upon beholding the hero of so many dime novel stories in the flesh, and flanked by a genuine troupe of Cheyenne Indian Chiefs. The tomahawk and the war whoop will captivate the worthy 'Burgers under the wooing influence of the "Prairie Waif" throughout the present week.
NOVELTY THEATRE WILLIAMSBURGH.--This cosy home theatre, which has produced so many popular successes during the present season, and which is always well filled by [the?] elite of Brooklyn Society, will present for the consideration of their patrons on Monday Jan. 24th, and during the week, Hon. Wm. H. Cody, as "Buffalo Bill," which has always met with the greatest success wherever it has been produced, it is one of those few plays which never fails to instruct and amuse, and we have but little doubt but what it will draw good houses, and make glad the hearts of those enterprising managers Messrs. Theall & Williams, who are ever endeavoring to produce what is best calculated to be appreciated by their patrons. The usual matinees will be given on Wednesday and Saturday.
Haverly's Theatre.
Buffalo Bill (William F.Cody) and his dramatic company and a troupe of Indians appeared in the drama of border life, entitled " The Prairie Waif," at Haverly's Theatre last evening, before a fair downstairs audience and a crowded gallery. As a play there there is not much in "The Prairie Waif." It is supposed to be founded on incidents in the life of Mr. Cody, when living the life of a hunter and acting as government scout and guide in the Far West. In the first act Buffalo Bill rescues from the Indians a young girl called Onita, who, it subsequently transpires, is a daughter of a General Brown, and who had been stolen when a child. In the second act Buffalo Bill, not yet knowing who Onita really is, falls in love with her, and tells her so in an awkward fashion. She reciprocates, and they would have been married at once had not some Danties just then carried off Onita. The third act is devoted to the efforts of Buffalo Bill to rescue Onita from the Danites, but he fails for the time being. In the fourth and last act Buffalo Bill tells General Brown that he had found his long lost daughter and that he loves her, but that both the Danites and the Indians have possession of her. Bill, of course, goes to her rescue, with U.S. troops, and succeeds in his self-appointed task. The curtain falls on happy Buffalo Bill, happy Onita and happy General Brown, surrounded by a half score of dead and wounded Indians, over whom U. S. Troops flourish swords and bayonets and wave the Stars and Stripes. Inciedental to the play are the usual Dutch and Irish witticisms by the low comedian element, several songs, some fine rifle shooting by Buffalo Bill and a war dance by real Indians. There are also several very funny scenes, and the audience have ample provocation for laughter. The play appeals strongly to the gallery element, by whom it will doubtless be largely patronized. The acting, what there is of it, is fair, but Buffalo Bill took to the page too late in life to ever be good and as he is a handsome specimen of perfec manhood physically.
Next week the latest success of the Union Square Theatre, "Daniel Rochert," will be produced with a strong cast.
Harverly's Brooklyn Theatre.
Last week, the patrons of the Harverly'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 toward 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 "Prarie 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 actractive set scenes are presented-- that in the second act being 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 the 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 attractice 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.
BUFFALO BILL says Brooklyn is the City of Ash Barrels.
Haverly's Theatre.
The howling storm last evening did not prevent the attendance of a large gallery audience at Haverly's Theatre, but the down stairs seats were not well patronized. Buffalo Bill's trained donkey added to the amusement of the evening by an exhibition of its tricks. As the Indian who carries Connie Thompson off the stage seems to have more than he can do comfortably, and makes Connie laugh in her sleep, Buffalo Bill might transfer the job to the donkey, who is evidently stronger than the Indian. Something far better than "The Prairie Waif" may be expected next week, when "Daniel Rochat," the Union Square Theatre success, will be produced with a strong cast of characters and the original scenery and effects.
Haverly's Brooklyn Theaatre.
One recommendation to favor that can be predicted of the fine handsome scout now playing himself at Haverly's Theater lies in the fact that his skillw ith the rifly is exhibited without placing anybody in jeopardy. He proves not only that he is a dead shot, but also that he has good sense.
BUFFALO BILL.-- A new play written expressly for Mr. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) 'is to be played at the Olympic Theatre. "The title of the drama is the prairie Waif, a Story of the Far West," and isfrom the pen of Mr. John A. Stevens. The following is the story of the drama. The curtain riseson the twenty-fifth anniversary of Gen. Brown's wedding day, who, some ten years previous, had lost his daughter named Bertha, some five years old, who, while walking with her nurse one day, was stolen by concealted men, and the nurse killed. The disappearance of the child was to the father a dark mystery. An adventurer named Hardi, a territorial offical under Mormon sway, had, by a dying confession, obtained the secret to the girl's history, and tracks her to her concealment. He determined to gain possession of her person, marry her, and thereby gain position and wealth; to accomplish which, by threats and bribes he acquires the agency of a worthless drunken renegade. He finds the girl under protection of an aged Indian chief called Lone Deer, who is on his way with the waif to the fort, to seek the protection of the commandant. On their way they are intercepted by Hardi and his satillites. who are about to seize the girl and carry her off, when Buffalo Bill suddenly appears, a fight ensues, and in the struggle Lone Deer is mortally wounded. The ruffians being discomfited run away and leave Buffalo Bill and the little waif who sadly bemoans the death of her faithful Indian. Bill, being touched by her loneliness and grief, offers her his protection, and bringsher to his homestead and places her in the charge of his mother, who faithfully and affectionately watches over her while she lives. But at the length the old lady dies, and the little waif having developed into a beautiful girl, is sincerly beloved by Bill. She reciprocates his affection and they become man and wife. The villainous Hardi, relentless in his hatred, with his Mormon Danites set fire to the homestead and burn [word] to the ground. Bill fights his way out and with his wife and a couple of companions make a forced march across the plains. At length, after many vicissitudes the waif is restored to happiness, and a doting father regains his lost child. Mr. Cody will sustain the character of Buffalo Bill, and the other characters in the drama will be sustained by an efficient company.
BUFFALO BILL is a genuine, and the following scrap of his history will show what kind of chap he is: In August, 1868, he rode in 12 hours from Fort Larned to Fort Zarah and back, 65 miles; in the succeeding 12 hours he carried dispatches to Gen. Sheridan from Fort Larned to Fort Hayes, 65 miles. From Fort Hayes he rode in the next 24 hours to Fort Dodge,95 miles; on the next night he went to Fort Larned, 35 miles on foot and 30 miles on a mule; and, again, the next night from Fort Larned to Fort Hayes, 65 miles. He made on horses, mules, and afoot 355 miles, andhe was in the saddle or afoot 58 hours. These successive rides were made through a rough, irregular country swarming with hostile Indians, where there were no roads and hardly a perceptible trail, which had to be followed in the obscurity of the night. |
