Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-11
THE LOCAL STAGE.
Sol Smith Russell In Peaceful Valley Last
Night-Comfng Events


Night-ComIns Events.
The opera house was packed from pit to
dome last night and the S. R. o. sign for par
quette and dress circle was out as early as
q O'Clock, the attraction being Sol Smith
Russell, in his new play of Peaceful Val
ley"
OF the play much that is favorable can be
said, though in many respects it is hardly
equal to his former play, "a Poor Rela-
ton" The new play, however, carries
with it the breath of the pine woods, and
the peculiar nasal twang of the Maine
Yankee is admirably brought out. 1t is su-
pcriOr TO "A Poor Relation in that it i'm
proves with each act, while the latter de-
teriorateS after the first. But the beauty
of the new play is that it brings people
close to nature, and there are scenes which
reveal phases of human nature familiar to
all. The play Us whole lacks snap, ginger
and vim. The plot is transparent and the
action tame until in the last act. This is
what is to be expected Of a play
of this character. In those quaint
country hooks startling situations and
climaXes would be out of place 1t is not
a play that will ever catch The gallery, but
it will appeal 10 those who love nature.
Its story Is somewhat conventional Hosea
Howe, young man from the mountains,
has a sister who has gone off with an
enchanting villain, who accOrdS her what
he believes to be a mock, but what turns
out to be real and substantial, marriage.
Hosea's aim is to find her and return her to
her mother, and he finally succeeds. Mean
while he has met and had brush
with the man who wronged her;
has won a law suit which
puts him and his old mother in
good circumstances, and has fallen in love
with city girl who happily returns his
honest affection, Notwithstanding his I'M
In no fret moi Hncao SC
discovered waiting on table at the Ayrtop
summer hotel. In the valley below is the
Howe farm. 1t is about as
upright Us its proprietor's principles
ana as rocky as the board at
the Ayrtop. Here Hosea meets Ward An
drews, the man who wronged his sister,
aud breaks out in great heat against him
aud his deeds. The act ends with an en-
counter in which Hosea throws Andrews
down the perpendicular bluff, anu when the
guests rush in affrighted he coolly tells
them that Andrews has Just dropped in
on mother.' The second sees Hosea
of TO New York TO lind his sister
employment in Leonard Rand's
counting-room through the intercession of
Virgie Rand, his daughter who has learned
Martha's story. At the last moment. Mr..
Rand, who is under the influence of An
drews, throws Hosea overheard, refusing
him either employment or spOrtation.
His mountain blood up, Hosea grasps his
handbag and remarks: ''Well, New York
amt your'n, Mr.. Rand. the turnpike's free,
and I'm going to New York. I'll walk
every step" The last act finds him in
New York. Virgie Rand, the ''Ayrtop'
guest. to whom he had told his sisters his
tory, has put a city detective on the case,
and he, strange to tell, had found her.
There is an affecting reunion and Martha's
ola, 80
justice who married her to Andrews on
board train. He proves that the ceremony
was performed within his legal Jurisdiction,
ard not over the line, as Andrews supposes.
OF the star it can be said that in Hosea
Howe he has found a character that is Pc
culiarly suited to his talents No other
comedian now on the stage could have Gre
ated character so unique, yet one that is
common enough in everyday life. Hosea
is an unsophisticated country youth, but is
made of the right stuff. He is not
familiar with the slang OF the city,
but is at home with Virgil He
is ambitious wholc-souled, pure aud
generous. with that sturdy Independence
that seems characteristic of those who
New England, and inhale the keen air of
her mountains. He detests hypocrisy, adj
mires courage, loathes impurity and loves
sweet woman. The character, of course,
overtops all the others, but some OF the
other members of the company have good
parts. Jack Farquhar is one. wen
handled by Arthur Byron. Alfred
Hudson does some clever work as lothian
Ford, the greedy landlord. Charles Brandt
as Ward Andrews, the villain, is too con-
and does not infuse enough life |
and originality into his work. He is ex- |
cusable, TO some extent, because the part |
is trying one and opportunities to get |
a
Among the ladies the Niobe Farquhar of |
Miss Belmont is interesting, though she |
works her eyes too much and exaggerates |
some of her situations. Miss Minnie |
Radcliffe's "Virgie Rand" was fairly ac- |
ceptable piece of work, though opportuni-
ties are few and the part in its entirety has
little that is exacting or calculated to bring |
out the full scope of her abilities Miss |
Testers Interpretation of the role of Phyllis
Howe is clever piece of work, though too
much inclined to the fearful AS whole |
the cast is up to all requirements, and |
Peaceful Valley" will be money winner. |
REEVES OPERA COMPANY.
The scope for brilliant satire on "Faust"
for many months in the brain
If Mr.. j. W. Monroe, the bright young
Boston newspaper writer, when it burst
nto flames. 1t soon developed into veri-
able volcano of the sparkling wit for which |
Is author is noted, and from the familiar
md somewhat stilted old tale he evolved
little story suited for modern
minded people: and it is with merry conceit,
horn of its maiden crudeness. 1The Reeves
english opera bouffe company is now de-
lighting the public the country over. There
re tw enty-five remarkably clever people in
he ca st, and the costuming and music are
inccmparably meritorious.
This company appears at the opera house
o-night only
EDWARD /. SCADER AS PAUL KAUyAR
That Edward L. Suader has made dis
met and decided hit in the part of Paul
lauvar is voucLei for by the
ublic throughout the Northeast and South.
lie IS a Growing success and is fitted to
he part in voice, form and carria &c and
1oks the true hero he represents Mr..
uader's success is indeed the envy OF many