The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-09
IT WAS WE'LL PLAYED.
Miss Bowes Makes Her Debut Be-
fore a Topeka Audience
is CAREY PRESTON" IN ALABAMA.

1t Was Sncc essF ui aud Promises Much
for Her Future-Wiu WadswOrth
Also of Topeka is u More Than
Promising Actor.
Miss Lottie Bowes is undoubtedly
destined to be an actress of great merit.
With only week Of training. she played
the role of Carey Preston in Alabama"
last evening IN a manner that arouses
the highest hopes for her 1t is not
part that is entirely suited to Miss
Doves capa bilities; yet, notwithstanding
this she portrayed the sweet, unworthy
southern girl with but few faults. She
has a most melodious and sympathetic
voice which Of itself IS a priceless Gift
to an actress: a more than pretty face
and an unaffected manner add TO her
charming stage appearance. Miss Bowes
has not quite mastered the varying ex-
pressions of countenance which the
character of Carey requires, but this
will come with study and practice in
short time.
The part of Carey as was said before,
is not altogether suited to Miss Bowes.
She will far outshine last nights effort
in society plays such as "The Wife,"
"The Masked Ball. and 40 doubt IN the
broader comedies like MIR. Wilkinson's
Widows" Americans Abroad" and
pieces of that sort she would win great
and instant success.
The audience at the Grand last night
was kind and encouraging, but discrimi-
mating, too. Miss Bowes wa frequently
applauded, although not uproarIously,
and at the end Of the third act she was
recalled and baskets and bouquets of
beautiful flowers sent up to her over the
footlighis.
A Topeka young man, VIII Wads-
worth. won we'll merited praise from the
spectators of alabama" in the character
of LathrOp Page. Young Mr.. Wadsworth,
although his part was not 4 large one.
was more than good Better things are
in store for him. His sage manners are
easy and graceful, his enunciation and
expression most pleasing. He is far
superior to the actor who is generally
gwen the kind of part he played. Friends
OF Mr. Wadsworth also remem bered him
with flowers.
George B. Miller. who played Col.
Noberly as he did last year, cannot be
improved on. The part of Squire
Tucker by Edward 3. Kelly is consider
ably overdone while Frank C. Bangs as
Col. Preston IS simply uncomfortable. Nj.
Bangs is sixty years old and he preserves
all the ranrng, snOrting, whOopIng and
shouting characteristics of the "hsavy
man. of the melodrama Of thirty years
ago. Unnatural in his voice and manner,
he ruins several pretty scenes in the
play. He makes no effort to adopt the
southern accent necessary TO the piece.
He is a tiresOme and unmitIgated
spOuter.
Applause followed his noisy outbursts
but it was started by the ushers and
mostly carried on by them and a few
persons in the gallery. This is an i'm
position that ought TO be stopped, TOO.
In well regulated theaters. ushers are
not permitted TO applaud. That IS not
their business.
The audience was one of the biggest
ever seen at the Grand and it was in the
main we'll pleased. There was some
guying from the gallery in the sentI-
mental scenes II IS hard 10 understand
why the gallery gods attend play like
Alabama" They dom; like it or under
st-nd it. Steve Brodie is their kind Of
show.