Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-04

Powers s-A Great Play.
A good audience, with enthusiasm worthy
three times its number, witnessed the first
presentation of BARLEY Campbell's siberia"
at Powers's Opera House last evening. The
name Of the play itself At once inspires
thoughts of seryitude, of cruelty, of loss OF
liberty, of tyranny of the lowest kind. The
wilds of Siberia Is but name for the mar
tyrdom of liberty, prison wherein the ex-
ercise of the freedom of speech suffers the
penalty of starvation and death where
mothers grow into maniaes through their
efforts TO keep the breath of life IN innocent
babes; where the defense of virtue Is re-
warded with short rations and the lash !;
where famished men are made TO work until
they welcome death with an anthem of
Thanksgiving. All these sufferings and
sorrows have men and women endured In
Russia because they believed in liberty and
had the courage to acknowledge their creed
This is what inspired the play which Great
ed 80 much enthusiasm in the theatre last
night For strong lines, stirring situations
and startling climaxes it exeels anything
ever before produced in Grand Rapids.
Though the dialogue is powerful and full of
thought, that must make anyone who loves
personal rights and a voice in government,
thrill with excitement. The effect is strength
ened with appropriate scenery and pictur-
esque stage pictures, though to do this it
was necessary at times to crowd the stage.
All moved with an ease and smoothness that
was hardly looked for, considering that the
stage was new to the company, and that the
scenery had been placed upon it only few
hours previous to the use of the curtain.
| Even the supernumeraries, who had an un-
usual amount of marching and positions to
| form, seemed to catch the eloquence of the
play, and acquitted themselves with such
precision and grace that entities them to
| the credit of more than passing notice.
| With such a motive, such an argument,
and with material every line of which gives
an impulse for action, the success which
every where has attended the production is
readily seen, sparkling with truth, with the
portrayal of incidents that are even to-day
living facts, and tableau, emphasizes and
| impresses, it is performance both intellec-
tual and instructive with an abundance of
scenery and accessories, the play last night
was unquestionably better mounted than
anything that has heretofore been produced
| here, and some idea can be obtained of the
advantages the theatre-goers of the larger
cities enjoy; for to witness good play
with a strong cast and consideration of
every surrounding and trivial, detail, sug-
| gested in the location of drama itself. is a
privilege rarely had in this city. Such a
privilege does one realize in ''Siberia," as
presented at Powers's last night. So dazzling
and unexpected were the many effects re-
vealed, that it is difficult to do the entertain
ment justice without seeing it more than
once. The company, and large one it is is
excellent, each and every one an actor.
| Unite them, what satisfaction; every line
| spoken intelligently, and given its proper
| effect. Atkins Lawrence, who appeared here
four years ago in the part of Fdzio with
| Mary Anderson, has made such improve
ment that it was difficult at first to recognize
him as NicoH Nidgof. His personation was
strong, insomuch as it required delicate
| treatment, subduen, intense action, the sup
preston of emotion at times, almost on the
outlines of endurance, and again an out
burst of power in the climaxes. All
these requirements accomplished without
any exhibition of effort or force. Miss Bel
| garde's Sara, part very similar in its de-
| mands to that of Mr.. Lawrence, calling for
| strong action, varying in its many shades of
| feeling; though the lines were full of SYM
pathy, she did not in any way display real
ization of this fact, and gained her points
| and effects wholly on the merits of good act
! ing. Mr.. Norcross, Mr.. Wood, Mr.. DAILY,
| Miss Vaders are entitled to more than mere
mention, but lack of space forbids this
morning. The play will be repeated again
| this evening. The engagement closes Sat
| urday.