The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-28

The nnenu for the past week has been
the production Of "Uucie Toms Cabin"
at the Third Avenue theatsr, The Late
Mr. Castillo" az the Seattle theater. and
The Two Orphans" which marked the
opening OF the Pike street theater, new
house that last night entered the lists
for share Of the patronage OF the play
gosrz element Of Seattle. The musty Old
.fsncie Toms Cabin drew some good
houses, but II is gndeniabiy fact that
the play has oufiived such purposes OF
usefulness as Il might once have been
possessed OF. The present generation
knows very little Of the conditions In he
South in ante-beilum days. except what
the school histories tell. and cares very
much isss. II its earliest dramatized
form the play undoubtedly taught
wholesome moral lesson, bat In an at
tempt 10 bring IL mp TO date the original
intentions OF the adaptation for stage use
were eciipsed by the introduction Of double
Markses double Topsies and double every
thing else that would stand dramatic null
tipiying, all with the idea OF giving the
public twice as much for It's money as IL
was entitled 10. The Markses and the
Topsies did double songs and dances and
performed much horse, and. incidentally.
5aekass play that the late Mrs. Stowe did
not sanction. Now the mould OF the
swamps and the swaying moss Of the
Southern pine woods have attached them
selves 10 dear old Uncle Tom and his
theatrical adjuncts, and the play Is of the
yeriest ro.. 1t has outiived its purpose
aad should be decent.y buried In the GEM
etesy plot OF the Actors Fund OF Ameri-
"a. The Bacon company has held to the
old idea of .sCncle Toms Cabin" and did
perhaps as much with 1t as any company
could. With the disappearance of the
ala r.
objections OF Jarrett X Palmers great COM
pany which went to England with 1t and
created one OF the most profound impress
sions OF the time, something that no
American company has since done, unless
II be the recent success of William Gil
ietfe's Secret Service" which deals with
the war Of the rebellion. Rather strange.
TOO. that the plays which made the Eng
Iish successes were OF a time when the
English sentiment was so much divided:
one play written thirty-five years before
the other.
The Late Mr. Castello" one of Sidney
Gfnndy's best comedies, which enjoyed a
considerable run In New York when given
by the Iycenm company, was at the Seat
tie theater Thursday and Friday nights.
Much Of the delicaey Of the piece and it's
interesting situations was lost In the inter-
probation given II by the company which
is headed by Miss Rachel Ford Miss Ford
Is promising amateur who has great
deal Of natural ability. but who lacks pro-
fessionai training. There Is little reason
to doubt that the future of this young wo-
man Ia an alluring one, particularly IL she
VIII work She has beauty and crude
talent. The latter Will be polished by pro-
fessionai experience and the former Sim
ply requires taking care Of The company
az whole was made up of amateurs who
allowed the very best opportunities fer
good work 10 pass or else oyerdid them go
that the fine feeling infused into the lines
By the author, was swamped by an ava
ianehe OF mistaken stage business
=
The opening of the Pike street theater
marks an event in theatrical circles and
VIII demonstrate whether the opinion of
those who have maintained that a theater
IN the north end OF the city would pay has
heen based upon fine managerial discre-
ton or not, The theater In Ranke's hall
anu the opening last night was fiattering
10 the interests of those who are backing
me enterprise. The company presented
Ennery's Two Orphans" and taking
isii things into consideration-the new sur
feandinss and the new stock company,
Inc fine old play was given an adequate
representation. There was "A good crowd
IN front and the picture under the prosee-
mum arch was bright one. The cos
tunes were all new and the stage settings
effective. Mr.. Dolnh Levine has painted
some beautiful scenery, and his first work
was 10 provide correct backgrounds for
the action OF the present niece The dron
curtain Is one Of the handsomest in the
city 1t IL an imitation of white
satin, In the center OF which Is
medallion with a scene of court
ship of the time of Louis ouatorze
the lovers standing at "a haiustrade The
curtain proper IS Ranked by heavy dram
cries OF crimson plush The whole com-
position is ia excellent taste and the work
Is Artistic. The company. which includes
kiaFiche Warren snd other people of rep
ataiion starts out by making a favorable
impression on tn. pahltc. The auditorium
has had little change made in It, -Four
ioghs have been constructed. but other
wise TIE arrangement remains the same
] AN tnid that II the showing IL in favor
90 theater on Pike street Ranke han
viii next summer be dropped to tho street
level and converted into irst-ciass play
house.
The Peoples theater during the raat
week has presented an excellent vsuaeville
bill AT the head Of which have been Post
and Ashley Ia the farce comedy al Il
NJ. Post and Miss Ashley have both been
seen on the stage of the Seattle and Third
Avenue theateYs, IL; the piece which they
appeared In last week at the people~'
The other performers made UP a arst-class
programme.
Seattle IS promised a permanent ,nr,,ia
opera company the abiding place of which
h 20 be the Jefferson Street theaser Win
this idea In View Manager r. n. Friend
iefi for San Francisco on the waIla Wan,
IsIfsday last. where tire organization az
'he company. which it Is expected win
demonstrate love fer music he Seatfle
people, will take place. Mr. Friend ala
noi difulge his plans fully, but II Is UNDER
stood that he already has in view several
good principles, aud chorus is sasIi, Oh
tainahle
II there Is one form OF amusement va.
Seattle people are particularly fnna az :,
Is comic opera, ard even a moderately good
COMPANY with an ensemble of pretty girls
m8ght expect liberal support IN this eifv
II Is Mr.. Friends intention 90 reopen hts
attractive resort December IL. The bill for
which. however, has aos yet been an
noanced.
FL +, NcCarvfe. iessee ard MANAGER =.
the new Grand iheater at Salt Lake t.t,v
"sas cf the pres,ieSt and most ssI,-st,-.ssH
theSters In the West. IS quoted hx tsa
newspapers of xioa as taiag 81, hts vrav
70 tAtS part os the world xhers AA ,,..7t