The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-27
ADJUSTMENTS.

A brilliant audience greeted Mr.. sol
Valley. No actor In America could have
attracted larger, more cultured or moro
critical gathering of people In Helena upon
the sole reputation of his merits % an
actor. Mr.. Russell could do this for he 10
great artist. He has developed an original
line OF art which he seems to have brought
very close to perfection. His dfoll man
nerism and quaint speech seem at first
glance the result of studied eccentricity
until the real nature Of the actor, is re-
vealed. The strength of his art grows upon
re-appearance in the play. He brings to
Light the sweetest tou ches Of human ma
ture and this he does without artificial
methods. The pathetic sides are 40 inter-
lined with bits of humor that the audience
fnds it hard to turn from one emotion be-
fore another is brought to their sympathies.
Yes, he is Sol Smith Russell and there is
no other.
Mr.. Kussell's new play ia pretty picture
OF New England life in which the principal
fipnre is Hosea Howe, long and gauky
country boy, but with strongly outlined
purpose and big honest heart. His
family, who live in Peaceful Valley, are
poor, and he finds situation in hotel as
table waiter. His pride rebels after a brief
service during which he meets bright lit
with her. The rest Of the story briefly told
is Hoseas search in New York for his sister
who has been betrayed by villain, but
finds afterwatd that a real marriage took
place. Right conquefs at last" the Howe
family are reunited and Hosea's cup of
JOY is complete when he, too. is united to
the girl he loves.
Those who have seen the Poor Relation
will hardly discuss Peaceful Valley as a
dramatic comparison. The latter lacks Wv
acity originality and life. Tho story is
commonplace and ia not brought out in
strong lines The dialogue is clever when
Russell ia in it: at other times it is unin-
terestinR. The situations are we'll arranged
and the characters are we'll adapted to the
plot. There are other much better plays in
the same vein, for instance The Two Sis
ters. The performance last evening was
most satisfactory. 4 he audience was de-
lighted with MIR. Russelrs Interpretation
and he WAS appiauded almost constantly
while on the stage. 1t ia one OF the most
successful characters presented by him and
| is strongly brought to view.
The other characters were we'll main
tained. Mr.. Brandt's tyre of the society
villain was conventional but we'll shown.
One of the most attractive pictures in the
play was that of Niobe Farquhar. In this
character Miss Belmont's acting was as
sprightly and pleasing as her personality Is
attractive. Miss Radcliffe had difficult
and rather unnatural part in the play. but
she interpreted in very satisfactory way.
One of the cleverest bits in the play was the
detective of Mr.. Sullivan. The play will be
| repeated at Ming's this evening.
"The Twelve Temptations"
| Commencing Monday evening next.
Ming's opera house announces as its attrac-
tion for two nights the second edition. Of
Mr.. VIM. J. Gilmore's spectacle, called
THE Twelvs Temptations which is said
to have been revived in more elaborate
manner than when it was produced some
twenty years ago by Col. James Fisk, Jr.,
at the Grand opera house, New York City.
The play has been excellently commented
upon BY newspapers Of repute. who claim
| it to be the most magnificent presentation
Of spectacle ever seen. The story is said to
be interesting, while the comedy is very
strong. The scenery. which embraces
three solid acts, is by Charles H. Getz, Har-
ley Merry. H. L. Reid and Homer Emons,
whose brushes are famous. Some $50 diff
ferent costumes, designed BY Silvers Il
Maxwell, huge mechanical figures. with
fairies, Rnomes. spirits, etc& abound ia pro-
| fusion. The corps de ballet comprises
forty dancers, who are led by three famous
premieres. The numerous ballets are very
novel. The company contains sixty-eight