The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-02

A stro.s Pa, as Cordray's.

The new year. as Cordray's yesterday
ushe-ed in the mid winter season of the
company with . new play. Tho Black
smiths Daughter" under the most favor
able auspices TO the management, and
the new schedule Of reduced prices Of sd-
mission tended 10 crowd the house at
both matinee and evening performances,
20 much 30 in the evening that the man
ayers welcome sign. standing room
only" had TO Be- put ont, turning away
hundreds Of people who failed TO gain ad-
mittance. The attraction conferred in the
production OF . new play, which is always
an incentive 10 regular theater-gcers, and
The BlacSsmith's Daughter" made such
q decided .'hil" At both afternoon and
evening performances a. to insure Its con-
tinusd success throughout the rest Of the
week. Ii has the novelty of newness. Is
on the popular ''Old Homestead" pastoral
order, fall Of quaint characters and
homeiy truths, and is dressed In plain
language. which in its rustic simplicity
has the power Of vibrating the heart
strings Of ali alike. irrespective OF age or
condition. II 10 Just such play whose
clean, wholesome breath leaves healthy
impression on the mind and sends an
audience home feeling the better for hav-
ing witnessed il. The story deals with
the home life of country people ia the
wilds of Missouri, and centers around the
elacksmith's daughter. who, returning
home after four years schooling, finds her
surroundings uncongenial to her notions.
causing her to hate her humble home and
the uncuitured people around her and TO
yearn for . taste Of that other life of
which she mad learned 30 much IT school,
but seen SO little of in reality. In her
blinded discomfort she rejects the love OF
the honest countryman, TO whom she owes
her very education, and accepts the atten.
ton of "city chap" train robber in
reality. but whose fine clothes and manner
make him . gentleman" in her eyes. The
struggle for her affection between these
two men creates the action that reults in
the exposure and death of the desperado,
and the transfer of the girls affection
whore IL rightfully belongs. the play Is
full OF strong character parts, ali remarks
bly, well fitted TO the leading people In the
present company. The two characters
that stand out in bold relief all the way
through the four interesting acts are the
blacksmith's daughter, Kate Sterling.
played by Essie Titteil, and Josh Stebbins.
a. presented by BARLEY McCullum. They
are the central figures around whom
Sterling found in Miss Essie
Tittell fitting representative OF
character full of force and she imhued
it with her own charming personality and
individuality. The character In one full
OF moods and passion. and as the naughty
educated country girl Miss Essie was
plalntive in the apparent Loneliness Of her
home surroundings; wilfnl IN the fierce
ness Of her clandestine love for Danvers:
tender in her rejection of Josh's honest
love, and womaniy IN her final admission
and surrender to the long-suffering and
seIf-sacri fcing Josh. In all these various
moods Miss Essie displayed good dramatic
force and tact, and secured for herself and
Josh two well-deserved curtain calls. The
part OF josh stebbins. in reality. appears
10 be the central part of the play. and Mr..
Barley McCulium endowed the seif-saeri-
iieing man with a quiet quaintness and
grim humor that made the part stand out
prominently and at once enlisted the SYM
pathy OF the audience and held it to the
end of the play. Mr. McCullum is the
bes. character actor that has yet been
seen at Cordrsy's. aud his every effort in
THIS AAHc mara HlGl as an cAcsptioDdi use
fnl man TO the present company. He has
given the character of Josh Stebbins
close study, as was evidenced in all his
ey-plays and quite natural actions.
Minnie Ti,tell, as 'Lizbeth, the hoyden-
ish, lazy country girl. captured the house
with a catchy song and dance that was
roundly encored. and which was followed
by some excellent wing dancing. Lillian
Andrews made al excellent Mrs. Sterling.
and added much humor as well as char
acier 10 the part. Mr.. Albert Hosmer, as
the blacksmith. Wash Sterling. did the
best biz Of work he has done at this house; ;
Charles. Swain, as Col. Peck had a good
makeup and was very amusing The
other characters were equally fcrcible.
and al aided in giving a most pleasing
performance. Tho scenery was new
throughout, and the blacksmith shop in
fun operation received o round of ap-
piGGse.