The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-27
THEY BURST ONCE MORE.
6tearnpipes at Grand Opera House
Failed to Warm It-Farny
Rice's Show.

Fanny Rice's audience was cold last
night.
Outside, the mercury lowered in the
neighborhoOd of the zero mark and the
wind whistled solos around the cor
ners, and inside the big opera house it
was cold. The steam was on in full
force, but except for the kissing noise
there was but little reason to notice the
radiators. On the stage it was even
colder than in the body of the house.
Manager Crawford was in the house
last night and watched the perform
ance, encased in heavy overcoat and
hugging a radiator. THE pipes burst
ed twice today" said he in explanation,
land 1T was after o'clock when we
were able to build a fire. I admit that
1t is uncomfortable, but it was unavoid-
able. Full steam will be kept on con-
ttnually for the remaining perform
anceS of the week.
To Miss Rice the cold formed basis
for numerous local hits. She had been
on the stage less than five minutes
when her first roast was sprung, and
the entire performance. The ShiVering
audience was in a position to particu-
larly enjoy them and applauded hear
tily. Besides, applauding gave them
an opportunity to warm themselves up.
In the second act of the piece where
she sings her "Sophier'' song and re-
peats the last syllables of the words
''phier," there was almost an appeal in
her words as she sang it. In her solil-
oquy on the pleasures of an actress
life she brought in the lines land play
ing in theaters without any fire in
them"
Her last blow was to declare in the
last act that she felt 80 cold-so cold
and empty"
Il am surprised to see the piece TAX
ing as well as it is, said Miss Rice last
night, considering the fact that the
audience is half frozen. Under ordinary
circumstances 1 find but little trouble
in amusing the American people, but I
don't want the bargain of both warm
ing the audience and amusing them at
the same time.
rs it hard to amuse? Well, no, not
If an audience is willing to be amused.
If 1 see that the piece is taking well, it
gives me an interest in what I am do
ing"
Miss Rice has lost none of her clever
ness and her production was well liked
by the audience last night. Her COM
pany this season has been strengthened
in many parts. This was made neces-
sary by the operate piece THE Flow
er Girls of Paris, (which she is playing
In conjunction with the French Balr'
this year.
The dancing of Miss Becky Haight
and Ralph Bicknell was especially en-
1oyed by the audience.
Judging from the advance saIe,a good
sized audience will see Mr.. Thomas
keene in "Richelieu'' at the Grand to-
night. Mr.. Keene will take the part
or cardinal, and Mr.. Charles B. Han
ford, his leading support, will appear
as De Maupart. The old Washburn
student, Harry Sullivan, whose stage
name is John Milton, will take the part
of Baradas, favorite of the king.
Katie Emmett will impersonate a
New York neWsboy in the WAITS of
New York. at the Grand tomorrow
night. Miss Emmett played this part
for years, and is thoroughly a home in
the character. The piece has been re-
organized for the season, and much of
the scenery and mechanical arrange
ments are said to be new.
Those who have been interested in
Merimee's Carmen" will have a chance
of seeing the dramatic version at the
Grand Friday night. Miss Rosabel
Morrison will appear in the title role
supported by Edward Elsner, for sew
eral years the support OF Lewis Morrf-
son in faust The sale of seats
opened this morning.
- -
Fanny Rice was born in Lowell Mass
and was brought up and educated in
Boston. Her professional career has
been remarkably successful and partie-
ularly interesting. When less than 1G
years OF age she first attracted public
attention by her singing and recitations
in church concerts in Boston, Mass Her
fine voice and pleasing personality soon