The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-10-08
DENMAN THOMPSON

Everybody who has ever been In a theatre has
heard of Joshua Whitcomb" by Dcnman Thomp
son-one of the most perfect characterizatioIs
on the stage at this time. 1t is really waste OF
time and space for us to attempt laudation of
Denman Thompson's Uncle Josh; but W. D. Eaton
in the Times, on Sunday, puts the case so well
that we quote:
Joshua Whitcomb," that perennally fresh
astonsher of theatrical knOw.alls, has been NIL
| ing McVicker's theatre at every performance.
There is no reason why he should not go on fill
ing theatres wherever he goes, time without end
! for cleaner or more pleasing entertainment Is
not to be found. Somehow the clergymen seem
to have found this out, for no audience OF the
week has been without its sprinkling OF them,
and no persons in the audiences have been any
more demonstrative in expressions OF enjoyment
| The entertainment this season Is better IMAM IL
has ever been before, for the reason that to Mr.
Thompson's admirable work other features, OF a
musical and "lterary' character, have been add
ed with so much good Judgment that while each
OF them is warmly appreciated, none OF them In
terferes with the main interest, when centres I'D
Joshua Miss Logan, with her ballads, and Mr..
Jepson, with his superb readings, have made DIS
tinct and we'll deserved successes. The subsidia.
ry features of former seasons, being those lntro'
duced by Miss Wilson and young Mr. Martinez,
ii, are still retained and still applauded with all
the old heartiness.
"Uncle Josh" will be given at the Opera House
next Tuesday evening, 18th. Take our advice,
buy your seats early-the house is sure to be
packed.
"The Jollites," in 'The Electrical Doll, will
be at the Opera House next Friday evening, Oct
14th. 1t is a musical absuroity that has created
good reputation during the past season. There
are 81 musical Numbers composed expressly for
the Jollities by J. Adahn, and the accompani-
ments will be rendered by their own orchestra
The plot is most absurd one, and the play full
of good music, songs and fun.-The company is
good one. This from the Boston Iru'eller, May
a. 1881, is q! fair sample of the press notices
"1he very favorably known Jollities' began q
second engagement IN this city this season, al
the Gaiety theatre last night. The reputation o.
the company for excellence served to fill the
house almost to its utmost capacity. The play
was The Electrical DOLL ard It's humorous phas
es, combned with the delightful music attending
it, drew forth the unqualified approval OF th'
large audience. Miss Lillian Browns fine sing
ing was especially pleasing, and ELECTED recalls
in nearly every number. Mr.. Stanlay Felch':
baritone and Mr.. Frank A. Daniels bass alst
commanded much applause. Mr.. Norris conduct
4 Gu al Boou oiNuSotio, NNHN''N
} uted greatly to the success Of the piece"
Emma Abbott sings O,irette at an Occasional
matinee!
The Goth Sept. was the 2Ooth night of 9TH
I, World" in America.
:, The Alliance, Prof Swings paper, says: Josh
us whitcomb" at McVicker's is a picture OF New
England life that charms person with any i'm
aginaton at all. Moreover no one can see III
play without getting good from it.
When the play 1.-The Danites" was first put o.
the stage it was announced as the work OF Jos
qun Miller, and Mckee Rankin, who owned II
' gave an interesting account Of the crude condi
ton and great quantity Of the manuscript as b
received it from the poet. The two have had
falling out, and the actor now says that Mile
never wrote line Of the play, nor saw II unit
r 10 was done, and was simply paid for the use Q