The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-07

Dr. EIilgg ..........-. Mr. Dfgby Eeli
Hlgafgs s--.......+. Mr.. Frank Munroe
Tom Buaee - Mr Herman Hirshberg
Fred f1aaTHuar3e -..-.... Afr. Arthur Neors
Burns -..-.--.- s....... Agr. WILLIAM Hearst
1tiaon -.-.... ....-. Nf ReFf Bayar9
Starr ..~........s...s. Mr. Charles Edwards
sergt O'&stli 1855. Mr.. 1oseph J. Treaey
Mr. Coleman .......-.. Mr. Gage Clarke
Pete ..s...-...4..-.M Mr. Edward Fl Franklin
Kennedy .........---.- Mr Harry L4yteH
officer -......-. AIR William Roberts
Grandma .....-.. Miss I.aure joyce Bell
Mr. Eunex ...-. Afisa Emma Butter
Nsrfha . Miss Mahri Strickland
Harriet .-.-.-........-AIl Mis- Margaret owen
Mrs Miller .....--.--.-. Miss Mantle uiFoh
AiFirt ............--- Miss Viola Miles
I4fty ROSIE .-.............. Ethel Vance
T7ne graduation of nighy Bell ard Laura
Joyce Bell from ealnie opera ~ legitimate
comedy Is - the distinct advantage Of the
American stage and American play goers.
Seattle people VINO have associated Dir.
ard Mrs Bell With the exaggerated posi-
hiiIties Of comic opera we're surprised last
right At their complete emancipation from
everything that suggested the older Ire Of
nork, except the grease paint and those
little torches that clear up ataginess and
make the scenes easy ard natural. When
Re wolf Hopper iofi Of playing bis old
100 Wives ard weat into caunc opera.
he demonstrated that his professional
career. prior 10 that tine. had been
waste - years When Mr.. Bell aban-
daned the lyric for the dramatic stage,
ne simply showed that be was adaptable
n his newer surroundings, and that he
could grace the more serious parts of
sometimes serious agthor with the per-
sonaiity that had made hin successful be-
fore
The surprise does not alone lie In Mr..
nais work which is finished and artistic
and fun ~ the same fine feeling thar has
characterized the best efforts Of Herne
and Goodwin. albeit there - separate
and distinct personality in each. but the
efforts Of Mrs Bell furnish q SO much
stronger medium for comparison with that
of her operatic work that il II difflcul~to
believe that the shrewish grandma is the
fegsl creature that used 20 grace the en-
sembie In The Merry War"
Augustus Thomas has In "The H0osier
Doctor written strong play fun Of local
color and has furnished SIR Bell who
assumes the title role. splendid vehicle
ln which to display a versatility Of talent.
The play abounds in bright and witty
lines and amusing situations. many OF
which inspire profound sympathy for
the meek and helpless physician IN the
hands OF his virago Of a mother-in-law.
There r. throughout a background Of fam
iiy interest. and the very commonplace
of the home life are so true 20 nature that
iHN f1atikN1e Go no. separate the peas
ant companionship that Is established al
most az soon a. the curtain rises on the
first act The whole Willow household is
80 natural that the characters drop into
their places without the least Jar or UNI
necessary disturbance
Mr. Thomas has. however introduced
an entirely new man to the stage I'm the
person OF Fred Dalrymple. NJ first a
worthless sort OF chap but later one of
the most interesting figures in the lives
af the other characters. His reformation
il 80 natural that IL is accomplished he
fore II Is understood almost and the
dashes Of English as adapted for general
use by the freausnters Of doubtful resorts
Is as necessary az Is his presence The
part was allotted 60 Mr. Arthur Hope. The
entire cast was evenly balanced. and Mr.
Bell Is 20 be congratulated for the able
support that was accorded him on all
sides
The audience was very large sni fash
ionahie, and the piece was followed
throughout with an intense interest and
sympathy.