The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-27

Probably as distinguished an audi
ence as ever collected together in this
city at = secular rtsiument wit
messed last evening the dsdicatory pres
sntation in the new rockingham thea
ter BY Sol Smith Russell and company
of CLYDE Fitchs new comedy, April
Weather" Among the l.SOO persons
present were men and women foremost
in business, professional and social cir.
clos. They came prepared to be sur
prissd, and they were surprised first
at the utterly unexpected mSgniticsnce
Of the superb new play house; secondly,
in the finished acting Of the comedian
whom some had not seen since,
nearly quarter Of century
ago, Mr.. Russell. theula strolllng and
struggling player had delighted them
IN old Washington hall with his droll
mimicry and quaint monOlogue; and
lastly, at the remarkable smoothnesS OF
performances the mechanical aCces-
sories TO which had, only few hours
before. been boxed and stored in the
odd corners Of then uncompleted
structure When it is explained that
stage carpenters, scene shifterS aud
ushers bad not had opportunity to re-
hearse, the smooshness and facility Of
this portion Of the entertainment are
quite worthy of remark beside the more
imposing elements Of au evenings
pleasure that will long hnger in the
memory.
1t has been said that Mr. Russell is
his own play. and to su extent this is
true even in April Weather. Al
though Mr. Fitch has evolved a deli
cate and well-shadsd medium for the
comedians distinguished abilities. and
although Mr.. Russell's art has taken on
in late years degree Of finish, deli
caey and effective flavor whisn have
never been better displayed than
in the softly blended char
acterization Of Raphael Reed
it is impossibl to conceive of sny other
actor fulfilling this part or to think of
Mr.. Russell himself in any other rsla-
ton than that Of the queer, good Yam
kse visionary who loves children,
teaches pure, quaint object lessons of
charity, love and unsel6shness and is
as an overgrown child in the presence
of avaries or guile. Raphael Reed is
simply Noah Vale, in another attic and
with another idiosyncrasy And never
has players art evolved a purer or
truer type,
Mr. RUssELL's SPEECH.
At the conclusion Of the first act,
after repeated applause, Mr.. Russell
responded to the general desire for a
speech. His brief response was a gem
in itself. fully beftting the time, tho
play and the occasion, This was what
he said:
thank you for the author, the com
pany and myself, and at the same time /
cannot help congratulating you on the
possession of such a splendid theater in
which light and sound and all that would
charm and engage the eve have been
given due attention. Icannot remember
having anywhere had the pleasure Of ap-
pearing in 60 better or more completed
play house in every detail and | hope You
will enjoy many pleasant and profitable
hours Of entertainment and diversion in it.
1t Is twenty-five years since / trst ap-
peared in your city but in justice to my
self must insert that I was then very
young man. | remember my appearance
in the old hall when, as an inducement 70
people to attend. we inserted a notice in
the advertisements stating that Washing
ton hall would be- swept out for the oc-
casion. Since then my acquaintance with
Scrantonians has not been wholly kent up,
but now that 1t is renewed, / trust that
we will meet much oftener, and with mu-
tual satisfaction in the future.
We trust that in the Wholesome lessons
OF our comedy tonight you will fnd some
thing not inappropriate TO the dedication
OF so perfect and handsome theater. It
is our modest belief that whatever limo.
Gently relieves the mind for few hours
from the cares OF business aud causes pao-
pie TO enjoy, with mingled mirth and emo
tion, some Of the scenes os an entertain
ment that leaves one better and happier
for having shared in them, is not an un +.
worthy act, nor one that can fail to bring
profit to its producers. Ia the hope that
you may find many hours Of wholesome
pleasure and healthy entertainment in
this happy place beg now to proffsr you
my kndest wishes and to bid you adieu