Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-19
Redmond's-"The Fast Mail"

"The freight must be a heavy one,
she is having hard time coming up
the grade tonight" This is a remark
made by the rough and hardy station
master in the third act of the play now
running at Redmond's. Puff, Puff!
Puff and the steam escapes behind the
wings and the auditor iInaginee mogul
struggling with heavy burden half a
mile down steep grade. The ex-
haust becomes more regular and louder.
Expectancy and interest in front be-
comes more intense. Tho escaping
steam now sizzles with an cello, aud
with huge revolving drivers the loco
motive, with changing bell and heaving
pumps comes 10 y standstill in front of
the station on the stage. The dusty
fireman and driver dsmount, examine
the machine, oil it up and make a
hasty exit for a lunch. They soon re.
turn ard pull open the lever. The
wheels turn round. but the engine does
not move. The sand is applied, the
throttle opened wider, ard with part
ing grunt the locomotive passes out Of
sight, and behind 1t follow fifteen or
more freight cars labeled with the
names of as many different railroads.
They pass from view with increasing
speed. In this remarkable picture OF
realism. not the minutest bit of detail
is overlooked. We even hear the
familiar sound of every truck JOS
Ting over the switch. This pam
Drama was gwen o ringing ova-
tion on sunday night. Later on
IN this scene the fast mail dashes
through the station, snatchlng u bag Of
mail ia Its speed. This is remarkable
effect and one wonders where stage
realism will end. In fact, it IS hardly
reaiism--it is actual. This play certain
~ surpasscs any yet seen here in its
railroad effects. How tame compared
with this scene, Augutin Days TOW
train in "Under the Gas Lightg' Yet
fifteen years ago audiences maiveled
at II. There are other stirring effects
in this play--that Of the engine-room,
with its furnaces, on Mississippi
steamer and lfe-llke representation Of
Niagara Falls, accompanied with the
deatening roar OF the cataract. The
play itself Is melo-dramatic, with MOTH
Ing that has rot been told before in
plot and object. The characters arc all
well sustained, but the scenery and ef-
fects almost overshadow the acton of
the piece, and the people will be talk.
ing about railroad trains and steam
boat EXPLOSIONS oil of the week. Tue
first matinee will be gwen today.
The usual variety lovers are offered
this week, q description of which would
he iferaiion A variety bill is limited
and the acts presented are fairly inter
esting and some of the performers
clever. The drama, "Only A Ncws.
hoy ~ sensational, highly colorcd
With some worthy pre,ense at realism,
IN the FIRE scene, a pier on New York
hsrtof. the riot of ~. The audience
bestowed attention and generous ap-
plause. The chief players are George
n. Hamilton, Lillian Hernfon aud
Frederick OTmonde. Nstinees tomor-
row, Friday and Saturday.
60 successful have been the re-
hearsals Of The Pirates OF Penzance''
that satisfactory performance could
be gwen tonight II need he. Inc
PRINCIPALS are letter perfect ~ their
parts and voices and the cboruses
strong ard perfect IL looks ss though
from an artistic posns of view this viii
BE- tie most satisfactory presentation
Of opera by local sslent yet gwen here.
ratsi koss. eunninx sed sevitrhing.
will he ~ Fosess on ire s5fh instant.
Sol Smith Epsseli - AGAIN turning
people away ia Chicago With . revival
al a Ioof Relation" whIeh hss been
sasifsly fs~nsssn.