Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-08-20
Our Local Troupe in Lady of Lyons.

tdicut. luaJ tuc dIdtT was n RfanU sue
cess, and that the superior work of the
participants was recognized and appreci-
ated by the audience, was evident from
the thunderous applause which shook
the building from time to time. The
Custer public expected something very
fine from this company, which was
known TO combine the very cream of
the dramatic talent of the city, but
everyone was most agreeably surprised
that the presentation of Bulwer's great
and difficult production should have
been so near to perfection as il was.
Not in a single instance was the voice of
the prompter called into use, not once
in the course of the evening did the
actors (some of whose parts were very
long, lose any the fire or the realism
which characterized the entertainment.
Each n seemed for the time being to
lose his or her individuality, and be-
come actual participants in the tragical
or pathetic scene depicted by the
famous play wright. Much Of the seen
cry used was new and the effects were
very fine, the costumes were as hand
some and elegant, if not more so, than
any others yer worm on a Custer stage.
1t would be difficult indeed to measure
out to each the credit and praise merit
ed, and the most the CHRONICLE will at
tempt to do at this late hour, is to make
brief reference to the leading parts.
+. II. Flynn, as Claude Melnotte, the
peasant, but nevertheless a refined and
educated gentleman, carried the changes
without a detracting word or movement.
From the poor gardener, at home in his
humble station, he passed to the Prince
of Como, wooing with beautiful langu-
age, and courtly bearing, the beauty of
Lyons, the daughter of NJ. Deschapelles.
the wealthy merchant. His description
to his betrothed, of the beautiful home
on Lake Como, to which he would take
her, held the audience entranced until
the last word had been spoken.
+. j. V. Rutkowski took the part Of
B~eauseant, n of the three or four very
difficult ones, and that he had mastered
every word, every gesture, ever to the
necessary expressions of the counter
ance, was clearly demonstrated. From
the polished French ~nobleman, robbed
by the revolution of his title, suing for
the hand Of Pauline, he passed, when
rejected, to the desperate villain. seek
ing a terrible revenge for his disappoint-
ment and slight. Succeeding in hum
bling the proud heiress who had refused
him, by introducing her to the garden
er's son, disguised as a prince, gloating
over his revenge, as he saw the beauty
led into the net, and finally married to
Claude, like Mephistopholes, ne was
present at the moment of her humilia
ton to tempt her to fly with him from
the disgrace which had oyertaken her.
Foiled once more, he waited patiently
until the proud house Of D~eschapelles
was on the verge of financial ruin, ana
then when only his assistance could
save it, he asked as a price, the hand of
the daughter who twice had refused his
attentions, and then, when his hopes
were about to be realized, the appear
ance of Claude, whose victimized wife,
had in years of separation, learned that
she loved him for himself and not his
assumed position, with wealth sufficient
to save his father-in-law from disaster,
and n name which made him worthy of
his wife, then indeed the fury and in.
sane rage Of the Frenchman was terri
bly, realistic, and his awful curses sent a
shudder through the hearts of the au-
ditors.
In Colonel Damar was recognized NJ.
A. Willis, the Uncle Josh" of a few
months ago. He played to perfection
the part of the bluff, honest French SOL
dier who had risen from the ranks of
the army to a position of trust and
honor, and who recognizedthe fact that
mind and heart made the man, not
wealth and title. Despising the pride
of his cousins, the Deschapelles, he was
none the less sympathetic in their hour
oftrouble, and planned skillfully for the
reuniting ofClaude and Pauline, and the
defeating of the yillainous plans OF
Beauseant.
To Mrs. +. o. Burton. in the emotional
part of Pauline, the belle of Lyons,
words cannot do justice. The strongest
commentator was carried to her in the
warmth of her reception by the audi
ence. Her solos in the parlor scenes of
the first and fifth acts were doubly en-
cored.
Mrs. ]. f. Smith, as Widow Melnotte,
and Mrs. b. r. Wood, in the part OF
Mad. Deschapelles, were characters as
contrasted as any two that could be
imagined. The former, the wise and
loving mother of Claude, proud of his
ambitions and attainments, yet always
advising him for the best; the other the
iowly born, yetself made aristocrat whose
one purpose in her declining years was
to wed her daughter to a title. Aspir.
ing at first to a foreign prince, she con-
tented herself with the thought that
catching a Marquis was doing very well,
and finally was reconciled to her once
hated son-in-law, who won fame and
fortune in the army. Both ladies were
recognized and heartily appla.. ded.
Mrs. r. S. Lewis, j. F. Smith, b. r.
Wood and Ed. Walsh. each ami all
did wonderfully well. and only limited
space prevents special mention of their
parts.
Miss Rose, of Hill City, the we'll
known musician, presided at the piano,
and added much to the entertainment
by her faultless execution.
Next month the troupe will visit
Deadwood, Lead and Hot Springs. and
that they will meet with success at each
of those points is almost a certainty.