The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-13
AMUsEMENTs.
First Night OF "Forsiven. Is


The same care and attention to details
that have characterized every one Of Ethel
Brandon's productions in Seattle was
noticeable last evening At Cordray's in the
excellent first production of Forgiven.
Not hitch or halt marked the perform
ance from first to last and IL furnished an
evenings entertainment that could not be
surpassed In any first-class metropolitan
theater and reflected the greatest credit on
the executive ability of Mr.. Arthur Elliott
a. q stage manager. Forgiven" is an
ideal domestic drama intensely strong in
its language and dramatic situations, with
characters so wildly drawn that
the interest in them keeps up
to the last. The story Of
the play is one taken from everyday life
in Florida and other Southern states, the
life Of gambler, the persecution Of his
beautiful wife By . former sweetheart and
trusted friend Of the gambler. separation
of man and wife with q cloud of shame
hanging over the wife. and the retrihutivs
justice that levels all wrongs and reunites
true hearts after years OF suffering. lack
Diamond, the gambler. and his wife. An
ME, are the leading characters. Arthur
Elliott as Jack hasa part 10 which he has
thoroughly fitted himself. and may DO set
down as the best piece Of character work
he has yet exhibited in Seattle. The
devii-may-care. fearless, brave and OPEN
hearted gambler is well portrayed, even 10
the Southern dialect so familiar to all
conversant with life in the south before
and shortly after the war. Jr. Elliott
certainly succeeded last evening In sink
ing his own individuality and giving q
strong representation Of the much
wronged, hot-blooded. fiery Southerner in
a manner that reused the audience to a
great pitch Of enthusiasm and secured for
him many curtain calls. As Annie Miss
Ethai Brandon was. of course, NJ she il in
everything charming in the earlier scenes
and painfully pathetic in the more har-
rowing scenes of her grief and
trials. The part. however. appears
to be secondary TO that of Jack Diamond.
The rest of the company was as usual ex-
celient. individually doing even better
than in any previous play. Arthur Liv-
ingston made another hit, and. as Denver
Dan. gave q touch of his versatility as Q
character actor. imbuing the part with
strong dramatic force. especially in the
scene in which he quarrels with his life
s1hS ffruus sSAs Az u 80 GuI3En
the element of comedy that runs ali
through it. Mr.. Frank Ridsdale had .
good part in Wizard Graham, and acquit-
ted himself in . manner to give great
promise tor the future. Mr.. Ridsdale has q
good face and figure. is q good dresser
and besides being fair actor is good
singer. and the introduction of q song by
him in each play would prove an addi-
tiona attraction. Is Seattle people are
very fond of music. Charles Howard has
q character bit in Old Pop. which he does
TO perfection. Joseph Middiemas made .
capital darkey, and gave much eoloring 10
his scene in the IRIS. act. Cornelius Haw-
leg has the fi9ht conception of Mexican
greaser, and his dialect was good. Cleo
Mcdowell is A very clever child actress,
and for an amateur did remarkably we'll as
little Leouie Her voice is clear, her pres
ence good. sae appeared at home and
spoke !o44 enough. Miss Anna 4.
Bailey has not much TO do as
Leonie. the grown daughter OF Jack. bat
did that in her usus. conscientious man.
ner. Miss Sara Stevens captured the house
as the old spinsser who never NEEDLES 10
other peoples business but who Is always
doing IL. Miss stevens is always good in