The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-23
Nearly One-Third the Popula-
tiOn at Cinderella.
Total Paid Attendance Was
1915, ApprOximating
The 10000 Promised by the estate
Journal" to the Projectors of
the Show-Mrs. Meredith
One of the Happiest
Women in Town.

Every detail of the staging and cOStum-
ing was excellent. The attendance was
all that could be asked. There was only
one serious drawback, and that was the
seating. We all now see what the trou-
BILE was, but this was harder to realize
when the site was picked out. Expert
ments seemed to prove that the slant
of the ground was sufficient, and for
an audience of about $500 people the
arrangements were ample, but when A.
250 people came on Wednesday night, it
became simply impossible to give them
a place to see it. 1t was a great mis-
fortune, but was almost unavoidable
The entertainment in itself was worth
much more than 10 cents, but it was
placed within the reach of all because
it is good thing to have all the people
help-each one a Httle-On a popular
project.
The State Journal gave the show all
advertising free, and devoted its eff
forts to getting out the people because
it felt that it was for public benefit,
and that the performance was worthy
all that was said of it, which it was.
The Journal accepted no cOmplimenta-
ny tickets, but paid for all admissions
and it desires no reward except the
commentator of the public. Inciden-
tally to the show, something like $500 or
5000 was put into the treasury of the
street railway company, for Baich
nothing is asked except that the compa-
ny feel duly grateful and remember to
do something nice for the Fall Festival
if requested, such as decorate their troll
ley poles or something like that.
Mrs. E. B. Meredith, the lady who
brought the production of cinderella"
to so successful a elimination, and who
for six weeks has devoted her whole
time and energy to it, deserves the cred
it and the praise which she is receiving.
Mrs. Meredith receives percentage af-
ter all the expenses are paid, but II 1t
had been failure, she would have been
I,,I.+ vii he
grudge hCr her share considering the
hard work and enormous responsible
ty.
It is no small undertaking to train $50
children, most of them under age OF 1O
years, for a large public entertainment.
1t requires great patience, perseverance
and ability, all of which Mrs Meredith
possesses, and be it said in her favor
that with unqualified success and pro-
fusion of praise heaped upon her head
by the people who appreciated her et-
forts, she is not what is commonly term
ed stuck up over it, but only re-
joices that so many people enjoyed the
entertainment.
Mrs. Meredith is the wife of E. B.
Meredith, a travelling evangelist OF the
Baptist church, and has not long been
a resident of Topeka, having lived here
about two years.
80, it has just turned out beautiful
w" said Mrs. Meredith, after the clos
ing performance of 'Cinderella last
night IT am glad that the people at
tended so largely, for I have been I'M
der a great strain over this, and if there
hadn't been a big crowd 1 should have
been completely discouraged If 1t
hadn't been for the Journal, I'm afraid
this wouldn't have been attended by
more than 1900 people L cannot ex-
press my thanks to all the papers for
helping me in this undertaking. When
I had to do all the work myself and L
realized the amount of work and re-
sponsibility resting on me, L was quite
discouraged, for I hadn't intended Civ
ing it out doors when started. But
when the Journal came out that even
ing and called upon others to come to
my aid in arranging it, it encouraged
me wonderfully, and from that time ON
1 took heart again and worked all the
harder L have done what L thought
was my best, and feel very proud at
the result. do hope the floral parade
fund will eb made very large. This
will give it a good start. The parade
is one of the best features of the festi-
val and 1 think everyone will appreciate
it, I am most grateful to those who
have helped me. and especially Mr.
Swayze for taking charge of the bust
ness part of the show. can't tell you
how pleased L am over the success of
this play, and L am only too glad to
think that I did my best for it.
Last Monday L was almost discour-
aged, because 1 thought we should have
rain and that would have spoiled every
thank Mr.. Jennings for letting US have
such good weather. 1t just seems as
If everybody and everything were try
ing to help me. Those little children
who took part in the play must be aw-
full tired. They have worked so hard,
and every one of them seemed inter-
ested in making the play a success.
They have practiced faithfully, and
can't thank them enough. Their pa
rents were SO kind to- me, too, in let
ting them take part. I am sorry that
I had to disappOint the people the first
night by leaving out some of the dances
but it couldn't be helped. We had not
had a full rehearsal at the fair grounds
and things were mixed up. 1t is so
much harder to give a play out of doors
than II is to give it in an opera house,
for there are so many little things
which have to be attended to. 1 shall
probably repeat the play during the
Fail Festival, but it will be given at
the opera house. We can give much
better production then, and there will
surely be enough people go to see it to
pay US for repeating the play. L had
intended to go to- Kansas City soon and
give a similar production there, but
am too tired to attempt anything like
that just now I shall rest for the next
few weeks, and then don't know what
I shall do. Maybe by that time it will
be time to begin rehearsing the play
and get ready to give it during the Fall
Festival"
Oscar Swayze, in speaking of the play
this morning, said: You can say for
me that Mrs. Meredith is happy, and
she ought to- be proud of the success
which she has achieved in the produc-
ton of Cinderella"
Major A. p. Shreve trained his daugh-
ter Fay Shreve for the fire dance which
was given with such success He also
trained his son Leo for the lobster
dance, which was we'll received. The
major is always accommodating in CIV
ing of his services for public entertain
! ments. At the performances he assist
ed on the stage with the arrangements.
Mr.. J. H. Wetheren did much to make
the production move along without long
delays. He directed the orchestra and
managed the stage from the front. He
also trained Ethel Nichols for the rain
bow and picture dance which was one