Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-10-17
AMUSEMENT NOTES.

lis own IOlioWncSS photographed was
illustrated in The Powers last evening.
Not all OF local Society turned out to see
and hear the English version Of Dumas
naughty comedy. The Crust Of So
ciety.' but there was enough OF IL 10
absorb the suggestive scenes and digest
the fiippant dialogue OF the piece to con-
vey TO oil Society correct diagnosis OF
its character. There were many sug-
gestive mods and knowing winks from
divan To divan in the orchestra circle
when the more robust lines fell with
startling suddenness; but otherwise
Society received tho play as quite as
good q Joke as Miss Helyett" The
scenes Of the piece are timed at the
present. in London. the wickedest good
city in the world The play depends
almost wholly upon the acting OF five
persons-an adventures who desires 10
marry an honest man who is unaware Of
her past life; the unsuspecting
victim and his friend, 10 whom the
true character of the woman is known;
divorced wife and an innocent
young girl. The woman in the case gets
the love OF her intended victim who does
not know how shady her life has been.
and she endeavors TO keep him ignorant
Of il. His most intimate friend has
been one OF her many companions, and
he undertakes TO save him from mar
rage with her, at the same time that he
is rescuing and wooing pure girl in
the same circle. Most writers OF PLAYS,
in which the heroines are adventur-
esses, make them victims. This one 10
ever and always victimizer. When
she is finally bafised in her game OF
matrimonial bunco, and finds that she
cannot foist herself on a honorable man
as pure woman. she coolly lights
cigarette. Tolls in her chair. whiffs the
smoke, and orders her maid 10 pack for
Paris.
One writer has said that while there
are weak points TO be found In Tho
Crust OK Society,"" IL is certainly forci-
BILE play. The story told is well sus-
tanned in interest, and the ~ pes Of char
acter drawn are admirable. from an act
ing standpoint at least. The role OF Mrs
Ernestine Echo, as enacted by Miss
Elita Proctor Otis, is extremely sprightly
and very clever. Miss Otis as a pains
taking and talented actress Miss Zelfie
Tilbury. as Mrs. Eastlake. gives forci-
bic portrayal Of the adventures. The
part, while offering opportunity for
clever acting. Is in much a thankless
one. Throughout. Miss Tilbury dis
played ease. and in the scene in which
the lover discovers the truth, she was
particularly spirited. The part OF Oliver
st. Aubyn is played oy Arthur
Lewis. Very telling speeches are givcn
Oliver. all OF which are spoken with ex
cellent effect 10y Mr.. Lewis. who plays
the part effectively throughout As
Captain Northcote. John Flood is also
clever. and. in all respects. the perform
ance ia interesting and strong.
One of the interesting characters IN the
play proved to be Lady Downe. 10y Lydia
Thompson, the old time queen Of the
English burlesque. who made herself
famous by an assault upon Wilbur +.
Story with a CAD One of the sweetest
character portrayals ever presented on
the stage 81 The Powers is the ingenue
rn!e In this piece. 10y Miss Charlotte
Nelson az Violet Esnond. As whole
the con pany is perfectly balanced.
The Merchant OF Venice which
Modieska will produce in The Powms
next "Wednesday night. carries kind OF
magic Ia rs very name. The mere
title must have disposed men Ia Shaks.
peare's time 10 admiration. and 80 IL
still dispoees Va In Andrew Langs
comments. he says: III there be place
on this earth Ginning b. the untravcled
/ fancy like the delicate sea green straits
OF sky between cloudy forts and palaces
81 gold and purple aud saber which the
sunset builds. II is Venice" IL - here
/ that Shakespeare laid the scene and ac-
I ton % his comedy. The Merchant II
Venice Bt IL - not probable that the
poet himself visited this Queen a the
/ Adfiaiic-r II il probable that n Shaks-
T peafe had visited the north % Italy be
wonlf have introduced q complement -
Z local c0lor. with illusions % the cafhe-
/ drsi q 81 Marks. the Bridge ~ Sighs
and ether historic spcta but Shags.
7 peare deals with men and women more
taan Nth localities and be has borrowed
the r.aglc az the name % Venice. The
cast that Modieska has brought 10 the
Interpretation n the characters is o.
the very best and is headed BY Otis Skin
Z rer. Howsrl Kyle. Charles Collins. Juy
I Li0daas. Z. y Carter. Miss Proctor.
I Mics Fsurt,in and others 1huredSy
essniug Mary Stuart vii he pres
snted.
No pains have beer spared % make
the production % Msaenoisslls Rhes's
nes play genuine eacoess and The
'Qaeen - Sheha~ PRAISES e. bsecon~
almost - famous in tie dramatic World
/ ~ to-day a. she Vas IN TIE history =
Soi0mone tine The Company - the
largest Msdemoiseiie Khea has ever car
ned. and inclBdes Mr. a. = Hart whe
ell sustain The character q Hirsm -
Tyre TIE Fa9ssc includes cbf9uses.
dances snd seveFsi beastifbl arrange.
nente for squntst The latter si3 -
snng iy fouf wesi known artists Msde
fBoieei.e Roe& Ell appear ~ Powers
Grand opera house fridzy and Sster-