Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1896-11-13
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.


Chicago, Nov. 12.-Richard Mansfield pro-
duced another new play, Castle Sombras,"
at the Grand opera house this evening.
The play Is a romantic comedy in four
acts, from the pen of H. Greenough Smith,
editor of the Strand Magazine. The scene
is laid in England in the early part of the
reign of Charles l.. affording opportunity
for picturesque costuming.
MIR. Mansfield, in the role Of Sir John
Sombras, scored distinct success and
was repeatedly called before the curtain.
Mr.. Henry Jewett, as Hilary Dare. cap
tain in the kings troops, also received
curtain calls.
The scenes and incidents transpire in
the seventeenth century during the reign
of King Charles l., a time illuminated by
deeds of valor and the spirit of romance.
The plot of "Castle Sombras," briefly told,
relates the occupancy of an impregnable
castle by Sir John Sombras with his beau
tiful ward, Thyrza. Sir John has fallen
deeply in love with his ward, but meets
with no response from her, for, unknown
to her guardian. she has already been
promised to young soldier. Hilary Dare.
Sir John comes of long line of ancestors
noted for cruelty, and through that heredi-
tary curse he has gained reputation for
fierceness that he really does not deserve
King Charles has determined to capture
this castle, and, If possible, Sir John. He
has sent an army there with these orders
under the command of Hilary Dare, the
young soldier to whom Thyrza has plight
ed her troth. chance meeting reveals
to him that his sweetheart is imprisoned
in Castle SombraS. In the meantime, Sir
John disguses himself as minstrel and
gains entrance to the enemy's camp in
that masquerade to learn. if possible. their
plans. While there he is arrested as a
spy and would have been shot but for a
miniature of the lovely Thyrza which he
always carried with him. This picture
reveals to Hilary Dare the identity of his
rival and he hurries to the castle. Sir
John. having been released, also returns
there. only to find his ward in the arms of
her lover, Hilary. At once Sir John, now
he has Hilary in his stronghold, determines
to teach both him and Thyrza some very
severe lessons to test the depths of their
f0ndness for each other.
st. Louis, Mo-, Nov. IA remarkable
success was achieved here tonight by the
Bostonians in the first presentation in the
South of their new opera, In Mexico.
The great favor with which it was received
by a representative Southern audience, adj
mttedly familiar with the strong local col
or of the story, as we'll as music, has de-
cided the Bostonians to make "In Mexico
their piece de resistance throughout their
Southern tour.
New York, Nov. 12.-Marie Dressler, an
actress, was granted an absolute divorce
to-day from George Francis Hoppert, Of
Greenville, N. j. The couple were mar
ried May g. 1894. and separated six months
thereafter. Undue intimacy with another
woman was charged.
An impromptu reception, in honor of Mr..
John Barker, of 1.-The Old Homestead"
company, Playing this week at the Grand,
was given last night by the Elks' lodge of
Kansas City at their rooms in the New
York Life building. Only members Of the
company and Elks were present.
Charles H. Yale, of the Twelve Tempta-
tons and Devils Auction companies,
who is in advance of one of his troupes,
acted as chairman and director general of
the evenings entertainment, which con-
sisted of songs, recitations and dialect
character sketches by the members of
"The Old Homestead" company, and a gen.
eral consumption of cigars, beer and light
sandwiches by those present. Mr.. Barker,
who, with MIR. Yale, was an old minstrel
end man, enlivened the evening with some
fancy performances with the bones. Messrs
Stevens, Alcott, Myers, Martin and Clarky
also of the company, contributed songs and
recitationS
Mr.. Barker Is a member of the Kansas
City lodge of Elks, having Joined here five
years ago under special dispensation
from the grand lodge. after he had attend
ed an entertainment at the old lodge rooms
at Seventh and Main streets, such as was
offered last night.