MISS RUTH DRAPER AT THE AEOLIAN HALL. IT is difficult
not to note in this column the exceedingly clever and original entertainment, although it is not strictly drama, which was given at the Aeolian Hall on November 25th by Miss Ruth Draper. The entertainment is to be repeated (on Tuesday, December 7th) before this very clever artist sails for America. The experience of sitting in a room with a friend who is using the telephone has taught its how much one can understand of a conversation from hear- ing one side. Miss Draper's entertainment is a dramatic development of this possibility. With no other properties than one chair, she presents to us in turn such scones as a lady showing her garden, with the most elegant botanical affectations, to an admiring friend ; an American class of physical culture called "Greek Pose " ; and a scene in the refreshment room of a little station in the Far West. In the last-named sketch Miss Draper rises to the height of true drama, and through her the spectator will have the results of a bad railway accident on a snowy night conveyed to him with such vividness that he will almost believe that he has seen the whole crowd of dramatis personas on the stage instead of only the figure of the girl selling refreshments. Miss Draper's use of "make believe" is exceed- ingll• original. She deliberately resists having properties on the stage. For instance, the dramatic intervention of the telephone announcing the tragedy of the wreck of the express is entirely imaginary, but Miss Draper's action with her hands touching the side of the screen and her breathless interjections make the audience feel that they have heard the " ting " of the bell and that both sides of the conversation are audible to them. Miss Draper's talent is unique, and so are her sketches ; and her Performance should not be missed by those curious in matters
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