The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-20
NEWS OF THE THEATfRS
The Fatal Card Produced ut the
rockingham.
AN EXCELLENT MELODRAMA
Well Mounted and Acted BY Competent
Peoplc-CIose Of the Macksy Com.
pany's Eugagcinent-Some of
tho Coming Attractions.

day night before a large audience.
Scranton can stand several more pro-
ductions of the same kind before 1.-The
Fatal Card" pals on the public taste.
The only bad thing about the melo-
drama is it's name. 1t might just as
appropriately be called "A Mystery of
Two Continents" His Double Life"
"RetributiOn," etc, etc
But leaving the name out Of consid-
Grafton the nlelo- drama is one of the
best ever seen in Scranton. 1t Is a
return to pure melo- drama in which
the fire engine and tank of real water"
have no place. There is an abundance
of that excitement so dear to the low
ers of melo- drama and any number Of
thrilling climaxes, but the playwrites
contrived to do all this and yet not get
too far beyond the bounds of probable
ity.
1t Is In this that they reveal their
cleverncss and nice discrimination. The
drama opens at little mining village
near the foot of the Rockies. George
Forester has surrounded himself by
a gang of desperadoes and to elevate
the moral tone of the place the vigil
antes decided to elevate Forester
close to u telegraph pole. Gerald Aus
tin, u young Englishman who Is rough
ing il in the West, saves ForreSter'S
life and the latter gives him half of a
card, the Jack of clubs, as a memento
and promises to make any sacrifice for
the young man that in his power lies.
II Is from this card the drama takes it's
name.
The next act Is In England where
Austin and Forester, now known as
Marrable, meet again but do not recog
nize each other. Austin falls in love
with Marrable's daughter, Margaret,
who knows nothing of her fathers past
or of the fact that he Is then the leader
of Il gang of professional bond rob-
bers. 1t Is planned to rob Austins
father but while the deed is being done
Marrable's pal, Captain Dixon, kills
old man Austin with the sons cane.
Young Austin Is suspected. but Mar
garets fears are aroused by the strange
actions of her father and Dixon. She
learns that they are to have a secret
meeting and sends young Austin to at
tend it. He hears the details of his
fathers murder discussed. sees his
bonds divided among the four Confed
crates concerned In the job and then is
discovered. He must be put to death
to save the criminals. They draw lots
and it devolves on Marrable to do the
deed.
He sets an Internal machine to blow
Austin at the - request of the
latter, who is bound, Marrable takes
a wallet from the pocket of his victim
to secure a memento he is instructed
to give to his daughter Margaret. In
the wallet he finds the piece Of card
given to Austin in the West and eXpla
nations follow. He decides to save Aus
tin but to do so must sacrifice HIM
self. He is trying to get him out of
the building when his daughter rushes
in To save her from the terrible i'm
a
machine and throws 1t through a VIM
dow. A terrible explosion follows and
the side of the building Is wrecked
Marrable falls dead and his daughter
swoons in the arms of young Austin.
On that effective climax the curtain
is rung down.
The drama was mounted in superb
manner and the company was OF un-
usual excellence. The leading roles
were assumed by Walter Howe, Chas.
Stedman, NJ. j. Jordan, Richard c. Ben
nett. w. II. Wheeler, w. II. Turner
Kathryn Osterman, Belle GiiOert, An
ME Vislaire, Nine. Carina Jordan.
The Mackay Opera company closed a
successful three days engagement at
the Academy of Music Saturday. In
the afternoon "The Pirates Of PEN
zance" was the bill and night "Oli-
vette" Both operas were well sung
and pleased the large audiences that
heard them.
This week there will be three excel
lent attractions in the city theaters.
At the Frothingham "A Social High
wayman" will be seen and Minnie Pal
mer in The School Girl" and Barry in
1.-THE Rising Generation" are billed to
appear at the Academy of Music
Thursday night Minnie Palmer will
make her re-appearance at the Acad-
emy of Music in her new play, THE
School Girl" in which she made a de-
cided hit in New York city.
Another entertainment which Is said
to be on the order Of "Octoroons."
"Creoles," big Sensation and Last
Sensation comes for the first three
days of this week at Davis theater,
opening this afternoon. 1t is repre-
sented to be a clean, meritorious enter
tainment, free from the features that
sometimes mar what would otherwise
be very enjoyable shows of the kind.
A series of high-class "living pictures"
form a prominent feature of the per-
formance. Another big business may
be anticipated if this organization,
which is highly endorsed by the metro
politan press, Is up to representations.
Nothing is so pleasant to theater-
goers as to know beforehand that the
play they are about to witness has had
the stamp of success heralded from all
the principal cities. f.. NJ. and Joseph
Holland, in "a Social Highwayman,"
supported by Richard Mansfield's New
York Garrick Theater Stock company,
have distinguished themselves by re-
ceiving the highest praise for an ar
tistic and finished performance of one
of the most interesting plays presented
| to the public this season. They will
appear here at the FrOthingham Thurs
| day night of this week. Sale of seats
| opens at the box office at 9 a. IN. to-
morrow.
Miss Lydia Barry, daughter of Will
| lam Barry, the Irish comedy star, is
supporting her father again this sea-
son. Miss Barry. from an acting
standpoint, "is a chip off the old block" "
She is also possessed of a sweet con-
tralto voice of remarkable range and
quality. Her work in "rhe Rising Cen
Grafton" is deserving of great credit, as
| 1t Is one of the taking features of the
performance. 1.-THE Rising Generation
will be seen at the Academy of Music
Friday night.
Commencing Monday. Jan. q. Pro-
fessor John Reynolds. of London, Eng.
| will open a weeks engagement at the
rockingham. Professor Reynolds is
the greatest living mesmerist, and his
entertainments are full of fun, laugh
ter and science combined.