Grosmith Funny as Ever

[…] 'S Silence." Mr. Carr has completely recast the play, but it was practically a failure, the plot and incidents belonging, according to the London critics, to the school of the circus tent drama.

Weedon Grossmith on Thursday last produced at the Vaudeville theater "The Ladies' Idol," a successor to "The New Boy." The play is not a remarkable one, although Grossmith was as funny as ever. Esme Beringer, who has been in Grossmith's company for the past year, and whose sister was the original "Little Lord Fauntleroy," scored a success in the new play.

On the other hand, Mr. Terry has postponed the production of "The Passport," by Messrs. H. C. Stevens of Yardley, to Thursday next.

The future movements of Mrs. Patrick Campbell are creating the liveliest excitement in theatrical circles. John Hare was anxious to secure her for his tour in America, when she would have played in "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" and "The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith."

Beerbohm Tree wanted her to renew her contract with him in July, and a tempting offer to appear at the Lyceum was made by Forbes Robertson, who will commence management in the autumn; and finally new parts in plays by Pinero and Sudermann formed the bait thrown out to lure her to another theater. It was thought that in all probability Forbes Robertson would be the fortunate man, and, in that case, a revival of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Lyceum was to be expected. But it is now announced that Beerbohm Tree will shortly revive "Fedora," with Mrs. Campbell in the title role, and it seems probable that she will remain with him.

Apropos of Mr. Hare's American tour a representative of the Associated Press called upon that gentleman yesterday evening. He was found in his dressing room, after the third act of "The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith," and said: "I have long been desirous of visiting America, which I have never yet seen. But America is so vast that I have always shrunk from the task. I know that all artists worthy of attention receive kind and generous receptions there, but you see when a man has been for many years playing to a home audience he finds them all old friends and blind to his shortcomings."

"It was really Bret Harte," he continued, "who finally confirmed me in my idea of going. I was dining in his pleasant company, and something was said about my visiting America, when he brought his hand down with a friendly thump and said: 'You are just the man for America and America's just the place for you.'"

"What plays shall you produce there?" "Well, I have hardly decided," he replied. "I don't sail until next January and my plans are not fully made. I don't intend to have a very large repertoire, however. I shall probably produce the play now running here, 'A Quiet Rubber,' and 'A Pair of Spectacles.' When the latter play was produced I think I may say without vanity that it was a marvelous success. Yet, strange to say, when it was offered in New York it was not so popular."

"Will Mrs. Campbell go with you?" "I sincerely hope that such an arrangement may be arrived at, but it is still too early to determine. It will, of course, be necessary for me to take a large company and I shall spare no effort to make my tour a success."

Mr. Hare could not confirm the rumor that E. S. Willard would take the Garrick theater during his absence.

Henry Irving has to get through a dozen or so of revivals this season in order to complete, after his custom, the repertoire which he will take with him to America in September. In some of these, and especially as Rosamond in "Becket," and Hero in "Much Ado About Nothing," Julia Arthur will make her first appearance on the London stage.

One of the first of this interesting series of reproductions will be that of the Corsican Brothers, but before this, probably on the 27th instant, the singularly attractive program furnished in "The Story of Waterloo," practically new to London playgoers, and the absolutely new "Don Quixote" will be presented. Both of these will be preceded by the clever little work of Mr. Pinero's early days called "Bygones."

Worth's establishment at Paris has just created for an American lady a unique sleeve, which represents a stained glass window. The different lights are marked out by raised piping a contrasting color to the sleeve. The panels are exquisitely painted in rich, subdued colors. The owner of this remarkable production paid a large sum to have the model destroyed.

Mr. Thomas Stevens of New York was married to Mrs. Frances Mary Barnes, widow of Prebendary Barnes of Exeter, just before Easter. The lady is the mother of Mrs. Arthur Bourchier and Misses Irene and Angela Van Burgh.

The Sun says the life of the Prince of Wales is insured for $3,200,000.

Mrs. John W. Mackay has arrived in Paris, accompanied by her daughter, the Princess Colonna.

Signora Eleanora Duse, the Italian actress, signed a contract in Paris on Monday last with Harry Miner of New York for a tour of the United States, which will begin in November next at the Fifth Avenue theater, New York City. Signora Duse will be supported by her own company.