The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-04
PLAY OF ALABAMA"
Great Performance at Seattle
Opera-House.
MADISON SQUARE COMPANY
Large Audience Applauds With Enthu-
strong Attraction ut Cordray's.

No more brilliant and appreciative audience
ever gathered in the seattle opera-houss
IMAM was present last night TO witness the first
anu only presentation OF the play of ''Alabama'
IN THIS city By Palmer's Madison Square Com
pauy. Spontaneous appreciation was compelled
not only by the excellence OF the dramatic cres-
ton. but by the ability displayed By the artists
OF the company in portraying character and in
representing the varying shades of sentiment
tnat move the personages OF the story.
Alaoama' is q clever tale The scene of the
incidents is laid in the South. as its title ind-
Gates The Characters are drawn strongly, and
mems weaknesses are put forth in clear lines,
as well rs their virtues and strength. Love,
nonor AMI seifsacrihcs shine forth in noble
quality. while sectionalism and mild yillainy
are only painted with that degree of faithful
ness that produces dramatic contrast
The story is serious and handles q Phase of
national sentiment rarely touched, save to Of
lend, note rarely sounded without creating
discord. The relation OF the record of the great
integnecine strife il so near 10 many who still
i've That II has scarcely yet become history. To
take this fine theme in any of its phases aud
handle It so deiieately as not TO give offense TO
the sentimentalists of any section is the proud
distinction that falls TO the author of
this play, Mr. Augustus Thomas The beauty
OF the work lies in its fidelity 70 nature and to
the sweet odor of the magnolia that pervades al
ness and intensity, there is q vein of humor that
Is made TO stand out in clear distinction through
the four clear-eut acts In his desire to amuse,
the author has not strained after effect, but has
seized two types of Southern character, has re-
produced to the life, not caracatured them.
Mr.. sroddsrt did not enact Colonel Preston,
the old Southern planter, but was the man him
self in very life As Mr. Stoddart portrayed
him, Colonel Preston was, almost to the last, an
unoending, incorporating Southerner, who
could be courteous to the Northerner, yet hate
him with an intensity fully understood only by
the men whose homes were in the pathway of the
Union forces. Mr.. Stoddart is an actor who sinks
self IN every part with most artistic
results. In the final act last night, when he
fancies his granddaughter has sloped with a
son Of the hated North, the amazement, anguish.
despair of a tottering old man were intensely
done, as well as the joy in finding her safe and
unsullied in his arms again. OF such work one
cannot say enough for fear that exaggeration
might be charged
The humor OF Alabama falls principally to
Mr.. Z, N. Holland, SIS Colonel Moberly, and Mr..
c. l. Harris, as Squire Tucker, a Coosa county
justice. The former as the grandiloquent and
courteous man OF honor, and adorer of almost
anything in the shape of womsnkind, was
most llfelike piece of character draw
ing. The courteous bow, the South
ern accent, the chivalric kiss of the
found in the country south Of Mason and Dix
on's line Mr.. Harris as Squire Tucker, was
mora broadly humorous, yet SO simple, kindly
and true, that at the last when all paired Off and
he, yearning for love and sympathy, sits alone
and signs, an involuntary murmur of pity
swells up for him, even while the audience
smiles through its tears.
The public has often seen Maurice Barry
more in roles of villsiny, that it took moment
last night to become accustomed to him, in a
character that had In IL all OF goodness and
manliness, fine sentiment and flial affection.
Mr.. Barrymore's work was superb in every re-
spect, and there was just enough cold calcula-
ton In IL to balance 1t well for his peculiar
abilities.
Mr.. Ed Bell as Armstrong, the agent, had
young lovers part that fitted him admirably,
and together with Miss Miller, as sweet simple
Carey Preston. Alabama blossom, made as
handsome and as tender pair of lovers as the
American stage has ever known.
Mr.. Ed Abeles as Lathrop Page made an excel
lent impetuous, hot-headed Southern boy. and
Mr. Walden Ramsay played rather mild type
OF rascal with fine power Mr.. r. Fax gave
with fine humor one of those faithful old negro
servants, who, despite freedom, chung to their
masters after the war was over
One of the noblest characters in the play
is that of Mistress Page, portrayed by
Miss Eustaee, who played the part in
the absence of Miss May Brooklyn Her pre-
sentstion of the character was entirely
satisfactory. II was marked by nice apprecia-
ton OF a very fine nature and a reprsssive power
that called forth unstinted applause Miss Sew
ard played Mrs. stockton. charming widow,
with splendid effect Miss Craddock an Oregon
lady, presented Miss Moberly with sweet and
winning grace.
fine feature Of the performance was the
singing Of the plantation negroes underneath
the moonlight But the striking and essential
fact about the entire production was the even
manner in which ali the strength OF the CON-
pany had been adjusted to produce completely
harmonious results. The scenery was far above
the average and in full keeping with the general
tana of