The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1884-01-12
THE HOLLAND COMEDY COMPANY.
Communicated


Last Monday evening the largest audi
ence that ever assembled in the new School
Hall congregated to witness the presenta-
| ton of "Our American Cousin" by the
Holland Comedy Company. The con-
course was but veriication Of the truism
that the people of Dillon will attend any
and everything in the way of amusement
placed before them, only in this case they
were not destined to sit vawning over an
evenings entertainment ~ but discovered
a rare and pleasant surprise in the acting Of
the company.
"Our American Cousin" has little or no
merit as a literary production, being but
the medium for the display of extreme and
unusually broad types of character. 1t is
a light, trivial absurdity, or so it seems to
American eyes, hung on mere thread of
plot and requires actors Of more than Or
binary talent to make the portrayal of char
acters interestingly laughable. This Lord
Dundrearv and Asa Frenchard succeeded
in doing, both being irresistably funny. The
company is an able and we'll balanced one.
The leading lady created a pleasant i'm
preston, hut it is safe TO say that Miss Belle
Douglass as Mrs. Mountches>ington car
ried off the honors Of the evening She
has voice suited to the part, with faint
suspicion of brandy cocktails running
through it, and hint of mustache upon
her upper lip. These attributes of course
we assign to the character, not to the lady.
tore <~r ~k &kc:. ,.ol,
IMMENSE or would have been SO had the
hall afforded dressing room facilities that
the actors might have dressed to the grand
fnule. Altogether the performers gave
better satisfaction than any that have ap-
peared here since the advent of the Plum
ketts, three years ago.
On Tuesday evening was presented Lied
Astray," by Sion Boucicault. In this plav
is room for criticism. Mr.. Hollands voice
and perhaps abilities are totally unsuited to
dramatic business. Miss Murielle, billed
as an emotional actress Of high merit, did
not justify her reputation. Some Of her
scenes we're intensely dramatic, but she
failed to make them So When she raised
her head at last, after the emotional bust
ness, and wiped imaginary brine from eyes
dry as a bone, what delightful little look
of dazed surprise crossed her face at not BE-
holding her audience in tears. All, Miss |
Murielle, you must reach you own heart
ere you move anolher's.
1t is to be deplored that as handsome |
hall as Dillon affords has no stage facilities. |
An audience can overlook one scene being
used as salon, conservatory and kitchen in |
rapid succession, but to utilize it as duel
ing ground is rather too ridiculous. Mr..
Calhoun's Hector Placide was a marvel ofl
artistic acting. 1t was polished, easy and
natural. Miss Douglass won for herself
fresh laarels.
On the third and last evening Bulwer.
Lytton's comedy, "Money," was presented.
The play went off with the appreciation
which characterized the first performance.
hough certainly crowded house could
lot have been the actors inspiration, since
he audience was small. After the per.
or'nance the hall was cleared and dancing
vas INDUCED in to an early hour.
To sum up all, their series of entertain.
nents gave universal and deserved salts.
action. It's to be hoped that Dillon will
hereafter be favored with as good amuse.
nent The company PLAYED under the
management Of <. Of p. lodge, No. Il,
vho received two-fitths Of the gross re.
eipts.. Al. /,