The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-12-25

Miss Susie Spencer, a girl born and
raised here, played certain line of parts
csptivstingly. Having sweet face and
most beautiful figure, she was dainty
little actress and great favorite.
Miss ''Tottie'' Give, whose graceful
dancing will ever be happily remembered,
and Miss Carrie Cogswell, Miss Ruth
Jones and Mrs Sara Napier Wilton were
all active members of the old stock COM
psny.
l can not close this article without saying
something of our Home Dramatic Club of
to-day, much as it has been written about.
Under the combined management of H 6.
Whitney and H. L. A. Gunner, club was
formed IN 1850, Mr.. Gunner soon retiring,
leaving H. q. Whitney sole manager.
That he has been most successful is told
by the progress of the company during the
few years it has been before the public.
He has had everything to do in the select
ing Of plays and casting of characters; but
as a critic will he be hereafter best known.
His criticisms, if sometimes uuklnd, are
severely just; quick TO discover talent, and
keen TO detect the slightest fault, his pen
is equally ready to praise or blame as
necessity dem auds.
| Many of the ladies who were members of
the first organization have married and
said farewell to the stage and its many
alurements, among them. DeIHe Clawson
Cummings, one of the brightest and best
attractions in the club. Nam lie Jones
another faVorite, also married Miss Lottie
Claridge played the opening night, and has
been an active member ever since. Edith
Clawson Knowlton, VINO did not take
part until five years after the company
first played, is daughter of
II. b. Clawson, and her sister. Birdie
Clawson Cummings, with Lottia Claridge
Young, are the three local favorites in Salt
Lake. Right well do they merit all praise
bestowed upon them. Another sister, Ivy
Clawson, is a quaint and pleasing little
actress and great favorite.
Edith Clawson has deservedly taken her
place as leading lady, and not only in g
dramatic way is she known, but the ope-
ratio stage has q claim upon her. She has
sung with marked success in several operas
given here by local talent, and is an artist
to her finger tips.
, Birdie Cummings is more versatile than
either of her sisters, playing emotional and
A4EA COLHSuy OuSLu0os VIII equal success
She is liked and admired by every one
Lottie Claridge is a genuine comedian.
Her appearance is the signal for enjoy
ment and good humor.
t Miss Ada Dwyer now popular young
actress of New York city, made her first
: appearance with the Home club. She has
made mark in the profession, and is al
| ways fayorably mentioned in eastern pa
/ pers.
When we recall the names of those who
have given their talents for the amuse-
3 ment OF the public, and those who are still
? working for the pleasure and benefit of
D society to-day in musical, as well as dra-
a matte way-such names as II. B. Clawson
g actor and manager; James Ferguson,
David Mckenzie, whose artistic ability
would have made him theatrical star in
any land if he had chosen the stage as a
profession; Ballou, H. K. Whitney, actor
and musician; J. t. Game, manager and
actor; the inlmitable pair, Philip Margetts
aud W. G. Dunbar; J. S. Lindsay, H. E.
Bowriug, ]. G. Graham, Joseph Simmons,
Al Thorne, Charles Thomas, Mark CroxalI,
George Careless and Harry Taylor should
not re forgotten.
And what can we say of Willard Weihe
and Evan Stephens! We might call them
geniuses, but every one does that. They
are something more. The one takes your
heart by storm, holds you securely until
he chooses to let you free; the other claims
your admiration by his genius, and once
ne gets possession you are forever his cap
tive.
To B. B. Young, who is making a name
in the musical world, Utah points with just
pride. H. M. Wells, our heroic and ideal
actor; j. D. Spencer, whose talents are
not confined to the dramatic stage alone,
where he and Wells divide the honors, but
m opera. where he is an acknowledged au
traction, and thoroughly artistic in all he
does; B. S. Young, another strong card
and general favorite; Mark Wilton and Eli
Pierce; Agnes Olsen Thomas. who GER
tainly takes her place next TO Mrs Care
less; Nellie bruce Pugsley, Bessie Dean
Allison, Lizzie Thomas, Viola Pratt-all
emphasize our claim to having the strongest
coterie of home talent Of any common wealth
in the west.
Bishop 0. f. Whitney was a member OF
the Home Dramatic at one time. He re-
tired, to the regret of his many admirers
that the stage held no further attraction
n for him; his success and popularity would
rs have been as pronounced behind the foot
az lights as it is now in the pulpit.
err The Incompatible Easton, the capabili
er ties of whose wonderful voice few have
in conceived an idea OF; the melodious and
tenderly true George Piper, Heber God
nd dard, the popular baritone; Netti,
a Thatcher Sloan, Bertha Bayliss, Moron
he McAllister, that grand bass voice pos
a sessed by Mr.. Lamoreaux, of Logan, anC
ad the charming contralto, Jennie Hawley-
ed all deserve an article in The. CHRISTINA
at HERALD devoted to themselves.