Page 4

April 18,1908.
THE SHOW WORLD
Li
IVO women stars, a warIne-ue      Ell"
lish  tinkly mrix-up ad  a collieking
tHibernian -Anericon  trusical  farce,
Were the new attractions presented at Chi-
cago theaters last w rek. Viola Altern coma
to the Grand Opera house in tIrene Wychr-
lay, Ethel Ilatrytuore brought Her Sister to
Powers, The Dairymaids were seen in the
limelight at the Illinois, while Johnny and
Emma Ray presented King Casey at the
Great Northern. 'The stock compatnies re-
vived plays of proven popularity and the
vaudeville sensation was the appearane of
Cecelia Loftus in her famous imitations at
the Majestic.
Irene lWycherley Bad Problem Play.
Thle folly of the average American mailr-
ager wvho supp lies 1his stars wi th plays bear-
Ing a foreign trademark when infinitely
better ones may be secured at home, was
accentuated at the Grand Opera house last
week when Irene Wycherley was given by
Viola Allen and her excellent company to
extremely light houses.  The play belongs
to the problem class and is the maiden ef-
fort of Anthony P. Wharton, a Dublin uni-
versity p rofessor.  Prof. Wharton cannot
be felicitated upon the success of his work
and but for the genius and popularity of
Miss Alle n it must have fallen fiat. As it
sas it score d  nly moderate success and
excited little favorable comment.
In my judgment the modern problemplay
is a monstrous creatio0n and repels rather
than a ttrIacts. 'the parading of secret and
open vices before the footlights never edi-
fies, hut, to the contrary, breeds contempt
of ennobling ideals when it should inspire
and   stimu late  wholesotoe  emotion.  In
Irene Wycherley, which is the story of a
trusting woman and a brute. who is abso-
lutely devoid of  honorable instincts, this
Englis  professor has presented characters
whill excite aversion  and   whose weak-
nesses cause them to rise up continually to
ca in him   for giving them  birth.  Prof.
Wharton has not even done his work well
from  the standpoint of originality, for not
one of his ideas or creations is new. It is
the same old story in new dress-violation
of the marriage vow, a young lover, a suf-
fering wife wavering between instinct and
duty, the harboring of a former mistress
beneath the weif's roof, the whole ending
with a murder and suicide.     If there is
anything ennobling in tiis sort of thing, I
fail to see it, and I fancy that Miss Allen
is struggling beneath a burden which she
wilt be happy to cast off at the earliest
opportunity. And the socner the better for
all concerned.
Miss Allen is too good an actress for a
play of this brand. She t  not fitted tem-
peramentally for a part like Irene Wycher-
ley. The play may have done well in Lon-
don, ut the average American playgoer
has not the insular idea which primarily is
to swvallow5 uncomplainingly wchatever its
stage stars have  to offer.  Without ques-
tioning   the  motives or philosophy of this
play, itsaims or treatment and making due
alowdnte for the literary qualities Which
it unquestionably possesses, it is not a ve-
hicle in which the admirers of Miss Allen
care to see her waste her efforts. The sup-
port, which included Grant Stewart. Edtin
Arden, Paul McAllister, John Glendenning,
Marie Wainwright, Nora Lamisun and oth-
ers, was in  ot water most of the time as
well a~s the audiences which yawened with
gratification when the last curtain fall.
Her Sister at Powers' Displeases.
I have   repeatedly urged in these col-
umns tha t our foremost playwvright, Clyde
Fitch, who recently produced his fiftieth
play, has done more in the past five years
to injure the American drama than an
other playwright alive or dead,    If you
don't believe this assertion, go to Powers'
theater and have a look at Her Sister,
which has been dumped upon Ethel Barry-
more with h1ighly disastrous results.  Miss
Barrymore searched many months for a
good play, and I doubt not many a better
vehiele was ignored in that time by her
managers.   Then came along Her Sister
with the Fitchian brand upon it and re-
gardles of consequences to the feelings of
the American playguing public, it 'was
staged. If the aforesaid American theater-
going public falls to rise up in rebellion
against lear Sister, I'm a bad prophet.
It is perhaps sufficient to say tirat Her
Sister is in no sense wvorthy of the resplen-
dlent talents of Ethel Barrymore.  It has
the tisual Fitehian froth and is as stib-
stantial as the summer cloud which Ixiun
hugged to his bosom. The story is as weak
as water and but for the personality of the
star It would have been repudiated by the
Indignant clienitele of Powers'. It is to be
hoped the offense wviii not be repeated.
Path of Thorns Pleases.
The initial production of Otis Coiburn's
Rtissian play, The Path of Thorns, proved
quite a magnet at the Btush Tetmple the-
ater last 'yeak. The occasion marked the
debrut in Chicago of L.illian Lawcrence. the
newv leading wvoman, who at Once demon-
strated both power and popularity. qttali-
ties that makce for enduring success. As
the heroine in Colburn's play, she eon-
tribttued in great measure to lisa moderate
success It achieved by her capable and con-
sciantious efforts.
The Path of Thorns Is based ttpon the
novel Anna Karenina, which provoked much
discussion some years ago. Mr. Colbuirnhas
done his work well and while In toy judg-
ment there ore certain crudities, itone of
the defects of construction and treatmient
are irreparable.  There  are unnecessarily
long speeches in the play as it is shaped
at present, some of the entrances are in-
congruous, and the dominating sentiment
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Mc                      utto   dlteain o  nl   a
a  tritll  sulnne lrg d  in  Ill  multiiliitV  of  S-
traneous incidents, but as a e  hoon
Colburn is to be congratulated upon   s.
success of his effort. He has net followr
the story of Anna Karenina closely   are'l
while the theme is mainly that ofmthe t'
of a mother for her child-a sentiment il-
ically different from  the  love of ow,, -
hearts-the interest in the story does nor
lag. The play has its moments of power
and an atmosphere distinctly its own and
once the crudities are removed by repeti-
tion it should prove an admirable stuck
attraction.
Miss Lawrence was badly supported in
spots.  Edward   Haas as Vronsky     was
statuesquely formidable  as usual.   a IS
I-Toward appeared to advantage as thchih.
The cast included  Robaert Lowre, Will  .
Corbet, Florine Arnold and an arfoy of
others.  Miss Hobbs is the bill this week
wherein Miss Lawrence shines in the path
of comedy.
King Casey Well Liked.
For a great nunmber of years Johnny and
Emma Rlay, two of the brightest star, itt
the Stair & Havpio fsrssamsnt were cuntet
to play A Hot Old Time; and their follow-
ers were content to see them in that lively
farce.  When the announcement extraordi-
nary was pronulgated that the duo had in
their possession a new offering, by name
King Casey. anticipation reached mountain-
ous heights. It may he recorded that King
Casey came, saw and conquered. tastweek
the reception accorded im at the Great
Northern signified that Isis popularity with
the people exceeded that of must monarchs
and that, like King Cole, he was ajolly old
soul. Johnny Hay, the racuous-voiced and
hearty comdian, was seen in a typical part
and Mrs. ay looked stunning and assisted
Iter noble spouse to apprectable lengths. A
large and beauteous chorus, with fairly mu-
sical voices, was much in evidence and
voiced several musical numbers of pretti-
ness.  The costuming  and   scenic  effects
were well up to the standard of Great
Northern productions.
The 1)airymaids at the Illinois.
The Dairymaids came to the Illinois and
offered skimmed entertainment to anr audi-
ence accustomed to better things. Harry
Bulger and, Julia Sanderson were the best
known among the cast. Their work in the
English musical piece, written by the usual
coterie of Britishers and adapted by the
usual corps of American playmongers, did
nothing to improve their reputations among
local theatergoers.  Miss Sanderson did a
small part in a small way, and Harry But-
ger resorted to methods employed when
amusemant-seckets liked ready and rough
entertainment. The first act was slow and
the second one loud, several of the male
em bers of the company   being garbed In
skirts after  the  fashion   of  the  Russell
Brothers.  Edgar Atehison-Ely. a hyphen-
ated gentleman who formerly appeared in
va deville; Eugene ORourke, a     thoroughly
competent actor, and Mabel Hollins , agood-
looking lay figure, were prominent among
the supporting  c om pany.  The inevitable
naval lieutenant was portrayed by Fletcher
Norton, possessing a tenor voice of excel-
lence which he does not employ during the
action of The Dairymaids, who blossoms
forth as a     light comedian of ability.  All
of the musical n mbe s were well received,
some of them    deservedly so  Afaw   of
them  von Collee heard before, but yourex-
pect that sort of thing no eadays in musi-
cal comedies.
At the Stock Houses.
By Ann Rutledge.
Admirers of James Durkin welcomed his
return last week to the College theater af-
ter a short illness. He appeared as John
Selby, the rural lover of tite St. Louis girl,
Ruth Clayton, capably portrayed by B3eryl
Hope, In Home Folks. Mr. Durkin is at all
tlimes a finished actor and his presence
every week with the Patrons company to
im perative.  Colin Campbell, Earl Stirling
and Smith Davies as the three old gentle-
men suitors for the hand of the Widow
Selby (Belle Gaffney) were excellent and
afforded much amusement by their many
.and varied attemrpts at proposing.  Guy
Coombs, taking the part of Paul Niles.
made a very handsome William.     Worlev
Birch as Bert Hopkins. had the time of his
I fe and entered into the character of the
bad boy in a manner Which leads nma to ha-
liave that perhaps he had been there be-
fore.  Robert O'Connor, who rose to the
occasion so well last week In filling Mr.
Durkin's place at a few htours' notice, took
the part of Walter Clayton. .Tean Adair,
Ann Bronaugh and T. Edward MeGillan
did exceptionally fine Work. The very ex-
cellent company at this theater under the
management of Mr. Marvin. is doing the
best work apparent since its organization.
The high-class plays   recently  produced.
and others In preparation, atre fast making
for the College theater a strong and ap-
preciative clientele.  Thrat  the  company'
deserves the recognition it is rec eiving, is
dtite to tire conscientiust efforts of the mem-
bers thereof. ond Manager Marvin Is to be
congratulated upon the degree of efficiency
,and complete harmony Which prevails In
his organization. The company this week,
Is resting, Owving to Holy wees, but Sun-
day, April 19, Thec Prisoner of Zenda will
be produced on a lavish scale. James Dttr-
kin will he seen as Rasendyll. and Beryl
Hope as the Princess Flavin. The supllport-
ing cast will lie fttlly tip to lisa high stan-
dard of the company. Special scenery Itas
been prepared utnder the direction of the
stage manager. Colin Camopbell.
The Night Before Christmas was the at-
traction at the Marlowe last Week and tire
Mir. Horton's   delineation of Uncle  Lem
smiley, a prosperous York state farmer,
wvas most clever.
Smith and Campbell, rapid fire humor-
lots, delivered an amount of patter; Ger-
trude Mansfield and company presented s
laughable skit, The Girl vith a Red i-
srna; the Lov itt  gave an exhiion ky
grotesque  acrobatics and Saovail t asi-
led coins dextroursly.  Lazar & Lozar, in
a Telange of    mirth and musle, were ac-
corded a heartier reception than acts fl-
losing them,  The Work of the trick pian
ist and the encores demanded promrpts the
remark that Lazar and Lzar would atve
tade a greater hit if farther doen nthe
bill,   Another very  good  performer who
served to open the bill eas Clever Conkey,
the juggler.  His work and comedy makes
his act a most enjoyable One.
THE MIONTANA LIMITED.
messrs. Klint & Gazzolo to Produce New
Play at Alhiambra, Chicago.
The Montana Limited, a new wetters
play by Charles Urich, Will be given its
premier With an excellent company and
fine scenic investiture by Managers Elimti
& Gazzolo at the Ahambra theater, Chi-
cagoe, Sund ey, April 26.
The play is said to be a strong ose snd
the story deals with the troubles    tin
rrothers whose resemblance to earsi athec
form s   the basis of the plot.  On  , i  the
brothers is a gobd youth, the other  trai
robber.  The good brother is arrc ct-(I for
the crime and he, to save the life of bit
erring tSin, shoulders the butden sd is
condemned to die.    The   mystery is re-
vealed ahen th    bad brother deelres his
guilt and is shot by a mexican metbet of
his gang.  There is a strone lose titeret
and  much enjoyable comedyp
The play   is being hooked   ho  Messrs.
Kiht      &   Gazzolo for a protractu to.r-
Special papcr  and scenery  bave ba   ano-
,ided and   the company is noo  to  I  de-
for  the premier performance i t r     l-
hambra   One of the big scenic ofc i
an express tra in in moti on  awk rhis ms
robbed in novel style.  Although   pias of
the        dest, Mr.  t rich's drama to il li' seanse
a bpood and thunder melodrama  s  asts
ordinarily seen at popular priced ilioters.
Ma ae. Lipzin at the international.
Mtanager Ellis F. Glickman, of the ttrter
national theater, went to New York last
sveek and arranged for the appearance at
that house on April 1t ofMine. Kenny LIP-
zin, the distinguished Tiddish tragediennse.
A- series of thirteen performan ces during
waich four plays new to Chicago sill he
presented, wcill be given.  Mine. LipiziO is
an actress of ability and in her support
are Yiddish   actors of repute.   The act-
ress  oas seen in Chicago  twvo years ago
and created a profound impression.     Her
repertoire wilt be announced in the adrar-
tisements in the press.
Sapho -New Essanay"Im.
The latest subject issued by the EssanaY
Film Manusfacturing company to entitled
Sapho. The progress of the picture de-
picts the ball moasque in the paltial tome
of the libertine Dechetette; Sapho's in torg
scith Jean; the cab ride and famsous -nar-
case scene; the quarrel; Sapho poors the
bal cony scene; the inspiring breakfast. and
so on the story of the famous novat is de-
picted  synoptically  with  every  degtC.  of
delicate decency, making a story Of 111 nse
in terest that is Wholly void of mawktsh -nra-
lariat, The thuinder from the nose  sIll
cteate the demand; the picture Wil I ise5
the spectator, and wilts all the Esan-..>1
Manufactutring company add anoti, 1':t
feature to shlt! list Of successes,
MNay Hosnner Goes to St. Louis.
May Hosmelr, Wvho recently conclusI-i ain
engagenrent in Sapho under the      rn
ment of Rowland & Clifford, is going StO.
L~ouis, where she Will head the stock - t
patty at lire Imperial theater. Misc 11.5s-
toer opens baor etngagement April 20.
Holer, to Hav,,e Stock CompauiY.
C. A. Holden will have a stoctk corn:'cr51
at the Park theater, Indianapolis, come> iC1-
ing April 27. Mr. Holden spent last w-eO
is Chicago engaging people for the commair1y
I through the local theatrical exchange
4
BY CHARLES KENMORE
patrons of Manager \tLi   playhouse de-
lighted in the bill and the good work of
she company,   As usual tha play wvas pret-
tily staged.
The   company at the People's    theater
played A      nife's Secret. Emotional dramas
are prime favorites with the patrons of this
house atrd A Wife's Secret proved no ex-
ception.  The comedy relief comobined w'ith
the pathos of theme to make the playp op-
ular. Maurice lBrierra, Jr., and Marie Nel-
son portrayed the leading roles. The stag-
ing under Frank Beat was in the best of
taste,
During the laster part of the we-ek the
house was dark.
At the 31elodrama Theaters.
Lew Welch, an excellent delineator of
Hebrew   types, appeared at the Academy
last week in The Shoemaker. The attrac-
tion is one of the hatter sort that finsds its
way to the lower-priced houses and sas
thoroughl appreciated by large audienes.
Tecompany was of the overage ability
and the scenic effects striking.
Shadowed by Three held the hoards at
tire Criterion. The number of thrtills of-
fered  the  sensation -seekeris  caused  tire
place to meet with approbation. A largo
comopany portrayed the various r oles,
The Cusrse of Drink attracted a consid-
erable amount of attention and patronage
at the Biou. The evils of tie darron rosn
so-re graprhically pictured by a compiany of
ability and a large amount of scenery.
At the Pekin The Marry Widowver w5as
retained for another week. The Follys of
1908S is treing played at the hoe of col-
ored comedy this yweek. The book is by
\itor hSmalley, a St. Paul newsvaper man,
asrd the score by Bernie Adler, a Chicago-
Blossom Racing Play Returns.
Checkers, Henry Blossom's famous rac-
ing play, returned to MeVicker's Sunday
evening, being welcomed by an audience of
friends.  At the Auditorium   the English
opera company is offering The Bohemian
Girl. The Rose of the Rancho is causing
moderate excitement at the Garrick, Three
Twins, much improved, is filling the Whit-
ney at every performance, and Honeymooln
Trait. writh Cecii Lean and Florence Hot-
b)rook, is causing eminent satisfaction to
reign among the LaSalle following.    The
Man from   Homne at the    Chricago  Opera
house remains one of the very best dra-
matic offerings. The Merry Widow Is at
the Colonial for those who care for mo-
lasses melodies. and The Regeneration 1f in
its last sek at the Studebaker, Viola Allen
a  the  ratid. Ethel farryure at Poer's
and Ta   Dairyttids  at the Illinois com-
ilet the attractions to be found at loop
tieaterso
Cecelia Loftis at Majestic.
Cecelia Loftus, known to f'audeoille pa-
trons as "Cissiae" returned to that field
of endeavor as far as Chicagoans are con-
cerntd toot week with far appearance at
tir  Majestic.  Miss oftus Who topped a
bill fairly bristling  pith names well knowe
in the variety wo'ld, obliged with imita-
tions of Harry Bulger, Hattie    Williams.
Caruso, Geo. Walcott.   Etrel  Barrymore.
Williams and  Walker, and Nazimova. Al-
thotgh some of the    actor foH mimicked
hase never been seen hereabouts those fa-
miliar to the auidience were rece ived With
a spontanous trst of applause attestiirg
to threir cleverness. As ato imitator prar ex-
cellence wve doff our official ctrapeati to
Miss  tofts.  It is rumored that she wilt
star next year.  If her imitations can he
made into a three-act prlay it would lira Well
sworthr seeing.
"Happy' Jack Gardner. tire musical and
singing cosmedian. gave his famriliar stunts
and wvas acecorded the hearty receprtion re-
serv'ed for a vaudeville favorite.  The trill
was replete wvith pretty woman, the Hengler
Sisters and Bessie Wynn being the, mtost
notable,.  The Hengrer Sisters gave their
,act whichi formred a part of The Roger
Brothers in Panama and Miss Wynn loo ked
beautiful and sang a number of songs in
tr prleasing voice, somre of then, blreisr of
her osrn composition. Both of thePse num-
bers founod the audience cordially receptive.
The Fousr Parrot, three of sham soseu-
tar women, gave an exhibition of brawn
and   prowess.  try  soantptlatittg  heavy
weights, seldom excelled ott a local stage.
Hlenry Horton preented a tabltoid comoedy
in tw .o scenes entitled UncleLens's Diltrrra.
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