The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-20
ANU sEMENTs.
Cerdray's New Stock Company.


Notwithstanding the heavy snows.orm
that prevailed last evening and stopped
many of the street cars from running o
good-sized audience attended the reopen
ing of Cordray's thester and greeted Miss
Brandon, Mr.. Elliott aud the other
charming people Of the company in man.
nsr to leave no doubt OF the sincerity Of
the audience. their appreciation being
manifested by hearty applause and numer-
Gus recalls throughout the five interesting
acts Of The Countersign." The company
is the M st evenly balanced one that has
ever appeared at Cordray's. and the in
dividual clever work of each tended ma
terially to enhance the touching pathos
with which Miss Brandon imbued the sad
character of the blind girl. The play IT.
self, "The Countersign." il strong in plot
and incidents dealing with the patri-
otto sentiments that prevailed during
the war Of the rebellion in manner to
arouse the audience to a high pitch
of enthusiasm. The story Of the play is
most cieverly told-the blind little god,
Love" playing most important part.
incidentally, in developing the action.
The climaxes. also, have been arranged in
an artistic manner, and close each act with
situations novel and thrilling. On the
whole, the play and the players form a
most happy combination of excellence and
the entertainment Is one worthy metro
politan theater, which was the general
verdict of the much-pieased audience as it
filed out Of the theater at the close Of the
performances. The company abounds in
excellent people. Miss Brandon of course,
as the star. maintained her position as
such, and her first entrance at the open
ing OF the second act, as the blind girl
cropping her way In, was the signal for q
most hearty reception, which was kept up
for several seconds. Her character of
Lizzie Spooner. though not strictly the
leading part, is yet possessed Of such
womaniy graces and touching, tender beau
ties of mind and heart that in the hands OF
such a clever artist as Miss Brandon 1t
grows into prominence and stands oct a
grand creation. enlisting the sympathies
Of the audience from the first and holding
Ii throughout to the sad end. Mr.. Arthur
Elliott, the handsome leading man, was
recognized on his frst appearance and
placed at his ease by the friendly greeting
given him by the audience. His work as
Gerald Leroy stamps him an excellent
actor, being easy, natural. with a pleasant
voice, and with the power of working up a
climax that denotes the artist. Especially
was tni. noticeable at the close OF the first
act, where he incites his sister to make
use of the Union officers love to secure
the countersign that shall deliver the Con-
federate prisoners from Johnson's island.
He was forcible throughout and readily
recognized a. leader of men. Miss Della
Maeqaade appeared In what vas evidently
intended as the leading part. namely,
Laura Vane Marquis, aud she did so we'll
that she fully shared the honors
with Miss Brandon. The part Ia full of
action, that of q noble nature struggling
against despicahle act and yet driven to
it By force of circumstances. Mr.. Frank
Ridsaale made q handsome, dashIng look
ing Union officer as Lieut.. Harry Striek-
land. and added TO the pleasure O! the
evening by introducing a ballad that
showed to advantage clear baritone
voice. The comedy work Of the piece was
in excellent hands. Miss Lara Stevens. as
Ars. Montford; Mr.. Arthur Livingston, as
Captain Wade. Gileston Byrce - Dick
and Annie Z. Daley as Alice Strickland
making up qaartet;e that kept the au-
dience in splendid humor throughout the
five acts. Little Allie. clever little girl.
as an embryo soldier. also did some clever
work. Taken as a whole, the struggle be-
tween love. treason and loyalty. formed .
series Of combination that afforded the
various members Of the company good op-
portunities FOR individual good work, aud
resulted In most clever performances.