Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-12-21
AT THE THEATRE.
Wilber's Lyceum Company at POpu-
lar Priees-A Thorough success.

lar Priees-A Thorough success.
wILBER's LYCEUM SQUARE COMPANY.
"The days of the high priced enter
tainments are on the wane, their sun is
setting fast. not to rise again" said Mr..
Is. S. Simpson, of the WIlber Lyceum
Theatre company at the Harper yester,
day. Mr. Simpson has been connected
with some of the leading and best theat
rical companies in the country, and has
played to as big prices as any of them.
He is one of the best comedians on the
American stage, and his last visit to Rock
Island was with Lillian Lewis, when that
charming actress gave such splendid
presentation of Cora" in THE Creole,
here last season, There was day,
Mr.. Simpson continued, when good
show could always draw at big prices,
but now only the leading attractions and
not the ordinary dramatic productions
can command those prices. 1t was MIR.
A. r. WILDER W no first conceived the idea
of introducing the standard attractions al
prices within the reach of all. A few
years ago he was in Omaha with only $40
in his pocket. He organized fair com
pany and produced the best and most
popular plays at cheap prices; ten and
twenty cents was his motto. and
trade mark. This enterprise met with
success from the start, He soon organ
lied another company and another. Now
he owns the Madison Square the Lyceum
Theatre and the WILDER Comedy compa>
MES, all of which are doing good business,
and his check is bonored for 1000
he has improved his companies by adding
better talent as fast as he could afford it,
and now you see as fine productions by
his companies as are given on the Amer
lean stage. People like to 60 to the the
atre, but they don't like to pay too much
for one evenings indulgence. Mr.. Will
Der has realized this, and he gives them
one week for what one night would cost
at old time prices, and he profits by ii in
the long run, too"
Mr.. H. A Wickham is manager OF
Wilber's Lyceum Theatre company, which
opened weeks engagement at Harper
theatre last evening. There was a large
and appreciative audience present, and
outside of The Little Tycoon probably
nothing has appeared in Rock Island this
season that gave more general satisfac
ton than the com pany which appeared
last evening in Woman Against Wo'
man" 1t is drama on the society
order, Astounding in interesting situations
and strong speeches" In the hands Of
such strong company as Mr.. WILDER has
given US, the drama received excellent
handling Miss Marie Brainerd handled
the leading female role in an excellent
manner. She is one of the most beautiful
women on the American stage today
while her many personal charms, added
TO a refinement and finish in her acting
all combine to make her one Of the mos
popular actresses of the present day
Miss Bessie Taylor in pretty sOubrette
part. looked, acted and sang most charm :
ingly, while Miss Aida Gardner also ac>
Quilted herself in a creditable manner
Mr.. s. S. Simpson. although not having
much TO do, showed in that little that be
was thorough and polished actor. Mr.
Gardner, in a comedy role, proved him
self one of the funniest of comedians
The rest of the cast was acceptable. Al
together it is company that will com
pare favorably with anything we have
had 10 Rock Island this season. Tonigh
The Two Orphans"