Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-02
TORDs BEFORE A FULL HOUSE.
Lost in Londou" Enthusiastically Re
caived- hr Next Performance.

Aost IN LNatIoh F~NksiAFlNs fN~AfI ~
csived-s hr Next Performance.
The Ford Dramatic Association pro
duced the drama Lost in Londoa" last
night. IL is dialect play OF strong ef-
fects and tull OF natural sentiment The
characters are principally Louca-
shire, and with one exception
the lines are all in. that
peculiar tongue, not unplessing to the
ear, but extremely difficult To initiate.
The story I'm "a few words is based upon
the desertion OF a miner husband and an
humble home by a wife for man OF
wealth. For months the wronged husband
searches for ais wife and finally discovers
her in LONDON.
It's an old pla-, but was seen here for
the first time last night. The house was
crowded, there being hardly a vacant seat
down stairs. As whole Tie play was
received with considerable enthusiasm.
Mr.. Frank Readick took the leading
part. Az job Armroyd,' OF the Bleak
more mine, be Interpreted the honest,
sturdy GOLFERS part in a highly saustac-
tory manner. Always deliberate in ut
teranoe. his feelings were qulcaer than
his words.
The curtain rose on his cottage, with
his wife Nellie busy in preparing a frugal
meal. Job" enters a few minutes later,
eats and departs for the mine with his
comrades. Conscious Of her weakness
this wife, who has already felt the bland
ishments of Colbert FeatherstOne," the
owner ofthe mine, is rebuked by her own
conscience and entreats him not tD leave.
Mr. james Neili, as "FeatherstOne,
has little TO do in the play, but does
it well. When the time comes
for him to elOpe with
Jobs" beautiful wife, Nellie, she shrinks
from the venture and he has 10 drag her
away. Why she leaves when she is evil
IDENTIFY 80 much attached 10 her husband
does not appear. The omission, however,
is "a fault Of the author. The most plsusi-
bic superstition is that she is allured by
her tempter's wealth.
The elOpement differs from the every
day affairs now in that the woman pro-
iesses great aversion TO going and yields
Reluctantly.
"Armroyd7 learns OF his wife's unfaith-
fulnoss while at work IN the NINE. The
news is broken 20 him by "Tiddy,V one of
the country leases. II is q hard blow,
and seems SO improbable to him
that at first he dIscredIts it.
"Tiddy" goes to London for employment,
and there discovers in her mistress her
former friend Nellie The latter, since
leaving the rugged poverty blasted mining
country, has become a part of LOndOn's
fashionable society. She does not forget,
though, her husband, whom she feels still
loves her, but doubtless does not forgive
her.
Miss Augusta Chambers was a sad,
repentant "Nellie Armroyd" without
affection for her master and lover, "Feath-
erstOne."
The closing scene of the fourth act is
the strongest in the piece. 'Job" con-
fronts his wife outside her palatial home,
and in the presence Of friends and
"FeatherstOne" she sWoOns at HIS feet.
The effect was quite touching, and was
enthusiastically applauded. The parting
between husband aud wife in the last act
was almost equally emotional, and was
happily carried through by both. ''Arm-
royd" resists the impulse TO Stay the
destroyer of his happiness. He
is of strong nature kind to
those he loves, but stern and harsh to
those who have wrOnged him. He cannot
take his wife back and she dies in his
arms.
Mr.. Readick's part throughout was well
conceived and well executed. In repres-
sing his passions and fighting hIs own
impulses ne held the attention Of his
auditors and ELECTED their sympathy.
Mr.. Larry Doyle as "Blinker, IA London
Tiger" did the leading comedy part to
the amusement Of all.
DIR. W. W. Mallard deOutin NIhOmas,
a FOotman," occasi0ned "A very funny
incident, which temporarily broke up The
play and those who were on at the time.
just as he stepped down toward the foot
lights some appreciative friend heayed
huge bunch OF sun flowers on the stage.
1t took the house about five minutes to
recover.
Miss Annie Helen Blancke had only
few lines as "FlOrence,' but was pleasing
in what she did.
Miss Addie McCready, as "Tiddy Drag
glethorp." was funny and serious by
turns. She was heartily appauded.
Mr.. George McAlpin as post boy and
Mr.. Joe DOYLE as ''Sir Richard lIooder,"
had short parts.
The next production will be double
bill on Tuesday night, when the ''rhe
Two Roses" and Man, the Good for Moth
ing" VIII he put on.