Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-19
"CHEP REDWOND."
Mr.. James Neilrs New Play Success
fully Produced by the F0rds.


fully Produced by the FOrds.
The theatre was packed last night from
the orchestra to the lobby. Standing
room only could be obtained, and many
were glad even to get inside the doors TO
witness the opening Of the FOrds' summer
entertainments. 1t was the first pre-
sentatiOn of Mr. James NeilPs new play,
''Chip Redmond" The event had been
awaited for some time with good deal
OF lnterest, and larger and more intell
gent audience than filed the theatre is
seldom seen. Mr. NeilI Is widely known
in savannah "a q young actor Of remark
able talent. There was a deep interest
attached to his first effort as
an author. The play is Of the
romantic school. The scenes are
laid in the mountains Of upper Georgia,
in the vicinity Of Tallulab Falls and Rabun
Gap. "Bill Redmond" the notorious
outlaw, and his gang, who were the ter
rOr Of the mountain people, and
whose capture by the revenue officers
was effected only through "Relmond's"
death, and 'Chip," the little pet OF the
gulch, form the principal characters OF
the play. The plot is skillfuly inter
woven, with the history Of the troublous
days when life in the mountains was an
uncertain thing. Aside from the detects
incident to a first performance, and the
imperiectiOns Of manuscript play, its
presentation was q gratifying success.
The author has much of which TO be proud.
As Chip" the little child Of the noun
talns around whom centres the entire IN
terest of the play, Miss Annie Helen
Blancke made her first appearance before
Savannah audience. The character is
full OF interest. In it Miss Blsucke fully
developed her talent, aud was received
with round after round of applause. She
has already established herself as a IA
vOrite.
Miss Augusta Chambers began her
second season with the Fords last night.
AS "Arabella Montgomery, a lady born
ana bred" she was given an enthusiastic
reception. Miss Chambers is a recognized
tavorite with the theatre-gOing people of
savannah, and her reception last night
was an evidence OF the favor which the
public is eager to accord to her
as an actress. Her conception
OF the susceptible old maid whose
heart was in the right place if her
ways were eccentric, was nmitahle.
Miss Addie McCready, as "Grace Mont
gomery," made the most of the character
which she was assigned. 1t WAS Miss
McCreadY's first appearance with the
Fords, although her second in savannah,
and she was enthusiastically received.
Mr. James Nell as "Bil Redmond
the chief of the m0onshiners, and the pro-
tector and lover Of ''Chip," was given a
reception Of which any actor might we'll
be proud. His movements ana those of
"Chip'' formed the thread Of the whole
play. Mr.. Ne!lPs acting was admirable.
and at the end Of the see
ond act, with Miss Blancke and
Messrs. Doyle and McAlpin ana
Miller, he WAS called before the curtain
Mr.. l.. It. Doyle as "Dac Adams,n the
all around character OF the mountains,
and The confidential adviser Of the moon
sinners, carried the comedy of the play
from the second act to the close. and was
repeatedly app,auded. MIR. Doyle has
long been recognized as a comedian Of tar
more than ordinary talent, and MS
conception of the character which he as
sumed last night WAS one of his best and
most succ- ssful efforts.
Mr.. J. T. DOYLE RS earle Lan1rum."
the revenue officer and brother OF Chip"
whose misfortune was TO fall into "Red-
mond's" hands, and whose good fortune
WAS in The discovery that the little noun
tain waif was his own sister, WA accord
ed a splendid reception. His acting was
admirable, and bis conception of the part
Vas worthy of an actor Of greater eXpe-
rience.
"lnlun JIM" the Cherokee playmate OF
"Chip," by Mr.. +. NJ. Readick. was re-
ceiyed from FIRST to last with laughter aud
applause. Mr.. Rcadick got out Of the
part all there was in it..
Mr.. George McAlpin's seen. Landrum"
Gather Of Earlo) was given a most en-
thusiastic reception. Those who have
seen Mr.. McAlpin in other parts could
not fail to see bow well he acted The char
acter Of the mnd old father whose ambi-
tons for his son and daughter were above
their marrying country girls aud outlaws.
Mr.. ,. ID. Miller as Ike smith," Red
mOud's" overseer ana right hand man.
played the part for all H. was worth, and
Ia response to recall appeared be-
fore the curtain with Mr. Neill at the end
of the second act.
Mr.. Diederich Schroe der made his fret
appearance as "Capt. FitzsmOns." and
acted well. The play was admirably put
upon the stage and its presentation was
in every wny a success, much of which
was due TO the stage management Of MIR. j.
G. Shaw. 10 will be repeated tonight.