The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-08


ance was satisfactory, and Mr.. Keene
mas seldom given a better production IN
Wichita, although ne has been here Of
ten. "Riehard Ill" Is regarded as his
greatest work, and in this character it
is said he has no peer in this country.
Last nights performance was the 1967th
time that he played the role, and his
portrayal Of the inhuman character Of
England's terrible monarch was artistic
His supper: was good and the play was
well staged. Shakesperean plays, when
well presented, find in Wichita theatre
geers an appreciative audience.
Thomas ". Keene, the tragedian, has
spent good part of his time lodging
yellow fever this season Successful he
was at it, too, although more than once
both he and his company had to run
gauntlets Of quarantine patrols with Win
chesters.
Speaking Of the matter to the Eagle
reporter at the Crawford last night, Mr..
keene said:
lew often had to race with quarantine
guards to reach a place where we could
obtain health certificates. In western
Tennessee, just before the outbreak Of
Yellow Jack in Memphis, We had TO do
some agile wiggling to keep out of de-
tention camp"
Did the fever or the fear Of IT deter
folks from going to the treatre?" ne was
asked.
mot whit" replied Mr.. Keene. at
was relief to them They needed some
amusement to WOO their thoughts from
the plague. But, after all, the epidemic
wasn't half as bad as 1T was pictured by
sensation mongers. Then what was
poison to many other dramatic stars was
cake for me. The news of the preva-
lenee of the fever not only made oom-
panies steer clear Of the infected iati-
tudes, but made those at those points
scatter north and west as fast as the
fastest express trains could carry them.
This left me clear. field, and as 1 have
ever had a host Of devoted admirers in
the south. 1 did rushing business every
where,
''Many persons in Texas" Mr.. Keene
continued, praised me for what they
professed to think was courage on my
part But candidly, it took no courage.
We were always near the safety line,
playing near the cushion as a Calves
ton newspaper put it,
did 1 find the people of Oklahoma ap-
preciative?" Mr.. Keene said, repeating
the writer's query. 81 never saw more
appreciative ones. Everywhere In the
Oklahoma towns in which vra oIaya5 -, J..
audiences were large and enthusiastic,
ard theatrical managers will find a fine
field in this fertile country which has
just been opened to them This was the
first time that we took this route and it
has been most satisfactory. The people
OF Okiahome. treated us royaly.
speaking OF the popularity of Shake
sperean plays with the plain people, L
will say that there is lots Of twaddle
written and spoken in reference to the
inability OF plain people to understand
Shakespeare as presented on the stage
1ntellisently interpreted, II is as easy TO
comprehend as any other writing for the
Stage. OF course II the speeches are
or marred by boobyish reading
no one can enjoy it. Still. no one has
ever charged me with giving any save a
first class presentation of the classic
drama. 1 SHOULD say am spry. No one.
no, not even the youngest man in my
support, is nimbler than l."
Mr.. keene's appearance. his merry
laugh, his fine flow OF speech. all betaken
him to be a sdelightful companion as
he is an actor.