| Page 30AT THE AMUSEMENT HALLS.
Buffalo Bill's "Prairie Waif"-Apollo Club Concert-Theatrical Talk.
The readers of dime novels and weekly story papers turned out en masse at the Grand Opera House, last evening, to witness the delectable and blood-curdling adventures of Buffalo Bill and his band of Cheyenne Indians. The galleries were so densly packed that wails of anguish from the numerous small boy, who, like Atlas, was forced to bear the weight of those behind and above hime, continually mingled with the dialogue on the stage. Every seat in the lower part of the house was taken, and if this be the sign of success the entertainment provided by Buffalo Bill must be classed as strong. There is no doubt that to the lovers of Yellow-covered literature-thanks to the graphic pen of Ned Buntline-Mr. Cody is a great hero. To them he is also a great actor, for he simply reproduces scenes and incidents in which during his perilous experience as a Western scout and guide, he took an active part. It may be said that what literature was prior to the birth of ten-cent scalping romances the stage was without its Buffalo Bill. The performance of the latter, therfore, like that of other heroes of the plains who have essayed the stage, must be judged from a corresponding standpoint, Those who regard the dimenovel as an unhealthy growthwill have the same opinion of the stage performance of the "Begger's Opera" in London invariably increased the number o;f thefts coimmited, and when we remembered how many yoths, after reading the thrilling imposssible adventuires of western heroes, steal a sum of money and depart for the supposed lasnd of romance, there can be no doubt that the influence exerted by exaggerations of Western Lifeover the minds of the rising generation is not the very best. It is some satisfaction, therefore, to be able to say that in "The Prairie Waif' Buffalo Bill has considerably lessened the blood-and-thunder effects of his former play. The term play is, perhaps, too dignified to apply to this production from the pen of John A. Stevens, a playwright who has done better work. It is simply the story of the captured maiden, the struggle for her rescue, and the final triumph of Buffalo Bill, in a new form. There are thrown in a lauighable Dutchman and a pair of Danties taken from McKee Rankin's play of that name. We miss, however, the Quaker Peace Commissioner, who was much better in his encounter with the dusky son of the forest. The piece has also one or two good dramatic situations which remind one of Mr. Stevens at his best. But after all, the drama is of little sonsequence, for Buffalo Bill and his Cheyenne Indians are attractions which would draw even in a museum of living naturral wonders. It is due to Mr. Cody to say that his acting has greatly improved of late years. He has acquired an easy stage presence, and his tall, manly form brings vividly to mind the ideal scout and Indian fighter. His skill with his rifle was as wonderful, and as muchadmired, as of old. Of his comp[any much need not be said. With one or two exceptions, the men and, without exceptions, the women are utterly devoid of anything approaching to dramatic art. The "Prairie Waif" will be repeated this afternoon and evening.
Mr. Josh. Ogden, to whose business management Buffalo Bill owes much of his financial success, is still at the head of that department.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
The galleries of the Opera House were crowded last evening and there was a fair audience in the dress circle. The play entitled "The Prairie Waif" is furnished with the opportunities for the display of all the interesting points of border life and yet there is no unpleasant redundancy of blood curdling scenes. In this respect it is greatly toned down from the standard of former plays of the kind. There is much humor in the general make-up and enough of songs and dances to impart sparkling vivacity to the entertainment. The opportunity for a display of Buffalo Bill's marksmanship is not omitted and is an interesting feaeture of the latter part of the play. Not the least attractive portion is the Indian war dances, which is an accurate reproduction of that savage custom by genuine Indian chiefs. Today there are two performances afternoon and evening which close to engagement.
HOW HE HIT HIM.
Buffalo Bill Tells the Sotry of His Recent Encounter With Fred. May to An Evening Express Reporter-Western Versus Eastern Muscle.
A few days ago there appeared in The Express and account of an encounter between "Buffalo Bill" and Fredrick May, whose horsewhipping of and duel with James Gordon Bennett, of the New York Herald, will be remembered by many. A reporter of The Express called this morning on Hon. W. F. Cody, the "Buffalo Bill" of the far west, to ascertain the facts in regard to this late person encounter in New York with Frederick May, the bloodless duelist.
| Page 30AT THE AMUSEMENT HALLS.
Buffalo Bill's "Prairie Waif"-Apollo Club Concert-Theatrical Talk.
The readers of dime novels and weekly story papers turned out en masse at the Grand Opera House, last evening, to witness the delectable and blood-curdling adventures of Buffalo Bill and his band of Cheyenne Indians. The galleries were so densly packed that wails of anguish from the numerous small boy, who, like Atlas, was forced to bear the weight of those behind and above hime, continually mingled with the dialogue on the stage. Every seat in the lower part of the house was taken, and if this be the sign of success the entertainment provided by Buffalo Bill must be classed as strong. There is no doubt that to the lovers of Yellow-covered literature-thanks to the graphic pen of Ned Buntline-Mr. Cody is a great hero. To them he is also a great actor, for he simply reproduces scenes and incidents in which during his perilous experience as a Western scout and guide, he took an active part. It may be said that what literature was prior to the birth of ten-cent scalping romances the stage was without its Buffalo Bill. The performance of the latter, therfore, like that of other heroes of the plains who have essayed the stage, must be judged from a corresponding standpoint, Those who regard the dimenovel as an unhealthy growthwill have the same opinion of the stage performance of the "Begger's Opera" in London invariably increased the number o;f thefts coimmited, and when we remembered how many yoths, after reading the thrilling imposssible adventuires of western heroes, steal a sum of money and depart for the supposed lasnd of romance, there can be no doubt that the influence exerted by exaggerations of Western Lifeover the minds of the rising generation is not the very best. It is some satisfaction, therefore, to be able to say that in "The Prairie Waif' Buffalo Bill has considerably lessened the blood-and-thunder effects of his former play. The term play is, perhaps, too dignified to apply to this production from the pen of John A. Stevens, a playwright who has done better work. It is simply the story of the captured maiden, the struggle for her rescue, and the final triumph of Buffalo Bill, in a new form. There are thrown in a lauighable Dutchman and a pair of Danties taken from McKee Rankin's play of that name. We miss, however, the Quaker Peace Commissioner, who was much better in his encounter with the dusky son of the forest. The piece has also one or two good dramatic situations which remind one of Mr. Stevens at his best. But after all, the drama is of little sonsequence, for Buffalo Bill and his Cheyenne Indians are attractions which would draw even in a museum of living naturral wonders. It is due to Mr. Cody to say that his acting has greatly improved of late years. He has acquired an easy stage presence, and his tall, manly form brings vividly to mind the ideal scout and Indian fighter. His skill with his rifle was as wonderful, and as muchadmired, as of old. Of his comp[any much need not be said. With one or two exceptions, the men and, without exceptions, the women are utterly devoid of anything approaching to dramatic art. The "Prairie Waif" will be repeated this afternoon and evening.
Mr. Josh. Ogden, to whose business management Buffalo Bill owes much of his financial success, is still at the head of that department.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
The galleries of the Opera House were crowded last evening and there was a fair audience in the dress circle. The play entitled "The Prairie Waif" is furnished with the opportunities for the display of all the interesting points of border life and yet there is no unpleasant redundancy of blood curdling scenes. In this respect it is greatly toned down from the standard of former plays of the kind. There is much humor in the general make-up and enough of songs and dances to impart sparkling vivacity to the entertainment. The opportunity for a display of Buffalo Bill's marksmanship is not omitted and is an interesting feaeture of the latter part of the play. Not the least attractive portion is the Indian war dances, which is an accurate reproduction of that savage custom by genuine Indian chiefs. Today there are two performances afternoon and evening which close to engagement.
HOW HE HIT HIM.
Buffalo Bill Tells the Sotry of His Recent Encounter With Fred. May to An Evening Express Reporter-Western Versus Eastern Muscle.
A few days ago there appeared in The Express and account of an encounter between "Buffalo Bill" and Fredrick May, whose horsewhipping of and duel with James Gordon Bennett, of the New York Herald, will be remembered by many. A reporter of The Express called this morning on Hon. W. F. Cody, the "Buffalo Bill" of the far west, to ascertain the facts in regard to this late person encounter in New York with Frederick May, the bloodless duelist.
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