The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-19
HE WAS NEW TO TOPEKA.
Therefore Clay Clement Did Not Play
to the Audience he Deserved.

Mr.. Clay Clements presentation of
''The New Dominion at the Crawford
theater last night was worthy of an
audience limited only by the capacity
of the house. The fact that it was
Clements first appearance in this city
and that prior to last night he was
practically unknown here, accounted
for the small attendance, but patrons of
the best attractions who failed to see
'4he New DOMINION" missed the Op-
portunity of witnessing one of the most
pleasing plays that will visit Topeka
this season. By and by Clement will
attract larger audiences here, but there
is so much balderdash in the neWspa-
pers nowadays about new actors that
people take no stock in the advance
notices. The Journal is one of the few
newspapers which attempts to give ac-
tors only what they merit. 1t does not
boom plays and players which it be-
lieves do not deserve it. Clay Clement
deserves great praise, but he must
prove that he deserves it, as every 9TH
er successful actor has had to do.
Long before Clement wrote THE New
Dominion" there were lovers on the
stage who for the sake of beautiful
daughters saved family mansions and
estates, and released both father and
daughter from the dictation of the op-
pressor. That is to say. that prior to
the creation of THE New Dominion
the plot used by Mr.. Clement had been
worked out in different forms for years.
But not before Mr.. Clement wrote
THE New Dominion" was there a
Baron HohenstaUffen" on the Ameri-
can stage, and the great personality of
the German gentleman is the all per
Vading feature of the piece.
One charm of Clements acting is its
fidelity to nature. Nothing could be
more natural and devoid of affectation
of any kind than his portrayal of the
German baron last night
That the audience thoroughly appre-
ciated the acting of Mr.. Clement was
shown by the fact that he received two
curtain calls after the second and
third acts The refreshing humOr with
which the piece was imbued as a result
of the BarOn's struggles with the Eng
lish language, was enjoyable through
out the performance.
If Mr.. Clement ever returns to this
city, as he undoubtedly VIII he should
receive the liberal patronage of Topeka
theater goers. This year his support
ing company is excellent
Apparently the name of "Spooner''
has a hypnotic charm for patrons of
popular price attractions in this city,
as at the Grand Opera house last night
the SpoOner Dramatic company opened
a weeks engagement to the largest au-
dience that has witnessed a popular
price attraction in this city for years.
Standing room was sold at the house
after 2 o'clock.
The opening bill was '"The FLOWER
Girl and the performance the
whole was satisfactory. The special
ties introduced by different members
of the company, including the spectac-
ular dances of Miss Allie Spooner, con-
stituted some of the best features of the
entertainment.
The SpOOner company will remain at
the Grand all of this week. presenting
tonight The Egyptian Princess
At the Crawford theater tomorrow
night circus on the stage will play op-
position to a circus in reality. "A
Night at the Circus" was the first play
in which circus features were intro
duced and is the piece in which Nellie
McHenry scored a great success and
ran for $50 nights in New York city H.
Grafton Donnelly is the author of the
play, and this year it is presented by
one of NJ. e. Rice's companies. The
prices for the production are 25 35 and
so cents.
Primrose & Vests Minstrels make
their annual appearance in this city on
Friday evening of this week, and the
Crawford theater will undoubtedly be
well filled with admirers of minstrelsy.
The organization continues to maintain
its excellent standard, and realizing
the desire for continual change, Messrs.
Primrose and West, have this season
arranged number of new features.
Ezra Kendall is with the company this
year, taking an engagement with the
public during the summer at the Ma
sonic Temple roof garden, and is an
entertaining addition to the organiza-
tion. The prices will be ST. 75, 80 and
rs cents.
Webb buys and sells tickets. 500 Kan. Av.