Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-07-25
FsNcHoN THE CRICKET.

FANCHON THE CRICKET.
We hardly know how to speak just
" of the play on Wednesday evening |
in terms which shall not seem extrav-
agant. Considering the greenness of
most of those who took part and the
short time at the disposal of Miss Ag-
mes Fuller, who directed them, the sue
cess of the performance can be attri6-
uted only to a good deal of native tai
ent and to Miss Fuller's skill in util-
izing it. The play was well cast and
the parts we'll sustained throughout.
OF Miss Fuller and Mr.. Waldron II is
perhaps needless to speak. They have
been seen here before and being pro-
fessionals it was expected that they
should do well, and the expectation
was realized. Still, Fanchon with
Fanchon left out would hardly be
Fanchon; and simple justice demands
that we dwell a moment on Miss Full
ler's work, in this notice. We have
seen Miss Fuller in other roles, aud 1t
may be that we prefer her as lssa In
the Clemenceau Case-a stronger play
but whatever the preference, Miss
Fuller's rendering of Fanchon is de-
serving of all praise and is all evidence
of that versatility which Is the SINE
qua non of success on the boards. The
first necessity of dramatic character
ization is that it shall appeal strongly
to the popular mind. Fanchon's is a
character which meets this condition
fully. A true womanly nature, yearn-
ing for all that is dear to woman's
heart, environed by everything that is
repugnant to it; realizing, fully, the
wrong, the repugnance, the shame
even sin, of the environments, yet con-
strained to endure them-to suffer
them-to approve them, by the strong
tie of filial affection; contending emo
tons, warning passions, human nature
turned back upon itself-in short, the
real dramatic element. But this is moi
the time or place for critique OF an
ancient play. What we started out to
say was that Miss Fuller's Fanchon
was o conscientious, painstaking ana
finished piece of acting, illustrating
happily the art which conceals 1t.
OF the others, Mrs. futile, Mr.. Ca
ruth and Mr.. Weldy deserve especial
mention. Mrs. futile probably carried
off the honors of the evening. She
had an exacting part, rather, and her
rendering of it was entirely too good
for an amateur. AS suggested in the
outset, it is hard to avoid what seems
extravaganza, and in speaking of Mrs.
futile we feel q constant constraint in
describing her work in way which
shall not transcend its real Importance.
Suffice it, that in makeup, bearing and
conception of the part Mrs. Tuttle dis
played unusual dramatic instinct;
which suggests the query. if she can
do so we'll without practice or prepa-
ration, what might she not do with
them? The great failing of amateurs
is their tendency to represent two per-
sons on the stage: One, the character
in the play; the other, himself or her.
self. While speaking their lines they
assume the attitude, voice and counte-
nance which, SO far as may be, ex-
presses their idea of the part, then. in
the intervals, lapse back into their own
personality, and the result is the illn-
sion is destroyed. Mrs. futile avoid
ed this rock most successfully Wednes-
day evening, and there was no time on
1.-The stage when she was not the verita-
bic and undoubted witch; aud in the
scene between her and Barbeaud, in
which he seeks TO tempt her with gold,
she rose to the occasion and displayed
powers which suggest large possibili-
ties of development.
Mr.. Caruth as the BOBBY twin bro
Their fully earned his share of the ap::
plause. Mr.. Caruth's training and
study for the stage were very evident
in his work, and while he remains
with us he will be one of the strong
features of our "home talent"
Mr.. Weldy has had so much expert
ence on the stage that we can hardly
count him q greenhOrn. He always
adds strength to a company, and our
library people should feel under obli-
cations to him for his generous assist
ance.
Miss Cooper's light was hid under a
bushel. She could not let 1t so shine
that all the world might see her good
work, in the part she essayed. 1t was
merely an auxiliary with no posi-
bililies. The next time she may have
an opportunity to "come out strong"
in which event her Evolutionary train
ing will no doubt literally come into
play.
All the subordinate parts were bet
ter filled than they are commonly
among professionals.
Taken altogether, 1t was a remark
ably even and we'll sustained render
ing of play which has stood the in
exorable test of time, and by far the
best semi-amateur performance we