Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-10-19
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
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Kansas City was honored by being select
ed as the place for Nine. Modjeska's return
to the stage after u considerable absence,
during which her gentle personality and
Eer admirable art were seriously missed.
She made her re-entre at the Coates last
night in the character of Mary, Queen of
Scots. in Schillers familiar play. Mary
Stuart" a role in which she has had no
equal On the American stage. 1t Is nearly
four years since our gifted Polish actress
was last seen in this city. She returns l.,
better form than when she left us, and re-
Sdmes her characters with the same evident
affection and the same artistic grasp that
nave always characterized her portiayals.
There is suggestion Of weakness IN her
voice, but it must be remembered that she
Was playing character subdued by SORROW
and Injured to the prospects of Stili more
tragic fate. Her admirers filled the theater
and gave her hearty welcome.
They found in her the same matchIess
grace and the same womanly dignity that
have served to preserve interest in plays
and characters that would have little use
upon the stage If they were exploited by
the newer school of acting. not 10 dis
parage the later methods of the stage in
their representative application. OF the
older players who have illumed the classics
with the highest art. Modjeska and Janau-
schek are the only ones new left to US.
1t is delightful to study Modjeska's meth
DDS and contemplate their results at this
time. People would not tire of the old
plays if there were new Modjesk0. One
evidence of this is the support and con-
rising Julia Marowe, who has followed
almost the same repertory first employed
by the Polish actress.
Modjeskas Queen Mary is an appealing
realization of one of the most familiar and
touching figures of history. This realiza-
tion will stand with the people of the pres
ent generation the model representation
of the character.
Modjeska has lived up to her reputation
for good support. When she last appeared
in this city her leading people We're Mr.
Otis Skinner, MIR. John A. Lane and Miss
Anna Proctor. The Iast-named is again
with her. and in place of the two distin-
Joseph Haworth and Mr.. John r. Malone,
both of whom have attained high rank.
Mr.; Haworth's Sir Edward Mortimer is
instinct with the impetuosity and fervor
OF this gifted actor. 1t is direct and COM
manding impersonation. The part is one
CT rare beauty. Surrounded by insincerity
and lntrigues, yet inspired with keen SUBJ
polished gem, rudely set. Mr.. Haworth
makes it essentially romantic without maxi
ing it obtrusively theatre. Mr.. Malone
gives Burleigh the subdued but dogged
tirmpess essential to a proper interpreta-
ton of the character, boldly sacrificing
more aggressive and spirited conception.
Miss Proctors Queen Elizabeth is a very
commendable characterization. But there
are Others in this cast who attract most IA
vorable attention. Mr.. Lester Lonergan's
Earl of Leicester. for example. is most
magnetically embodied and elegantly ex-
pressed. The highest compliment to this
young mans delivery is to say that it re-
sembels in a marked degree that of Mr..
Skinner, who is the most musical reader of
our stage. Mr.. David p. Ward, the Earl
OF Shrewsbury: Mr.. Wadsworth Harris. the
Paulet.. and Mrs: H. T. Sargent, as Hannah
Kennedy, are all important factors.
The Modjeska engagement is limited to
Of ali the bills, sudermanns si Masda ?Fshi 3iI
be played this evening, while Macbeth
Will De given '0-m0fEGs AGsr1S rh,Shi. EArcHAw.
II tell you: they've just got to come. at
our prices it's cheaper to go to the theater
than to stay at home and burn gas
That is the way Manager Burgess of the
theater last night. 1t was perhaps the
real explanation of a novel situation. The
new season started off with such crowd
as has gathered In this big theater only to
such occasions as were of sufficient import
ance to make a large gathering foregone
ccrclusion. But it was not the celebrity
the star was really celebrated-that ac-
counted for the outpouring that not only
filled but overfiowed the theater last night.
1t must have been the prices and the liberal
advertisement that had been given the cut
rate entertainment.
1t was peculiar audience that witnessed
the performance of THE Lost Paradise"
heard Nine. Tavary sing and watched Pro-
fessor Morris trained ponies. 1t was a,
good-iooking and well-behaved audience.
but there were many strange faces and
strange effects.
There We're numerous family parties,
ranging from gray-haired men and women,
who appreciated Tavary more than anyone
else. to small children who found their de-
light principally in the wonderful ponies.
ey 1t was 1 evident de, that many Of those present
tered into even the least worthy parts of
the entertainment with immoderate zest
and had more fun than pickaninnies at a
watermelon party. The occasion was the
inauguration of an interesting experiment
in Kansas City. theatricals. and if the first
weeks bill and the first nights reception
of it are to be taken as criterions the sea
son Is destined to be the most profitable
ies0ths the theater has ever had. even If it is a
until now for this handsome playhouse.
NINE ti Iavary was in good VOICE. She
po!onaise. an Ave Maria TO the music of
sons hd and
to interest such of the audience as had ap-
preeiation p for high order of musical art.
ponies. made great hit They are Won
derful little quadrupeds. displaying most
remarkabe maj W6h, intelIigenee ell nee and cunning
organization for the prices, although of
course. 1t would not compare favorably
with i.r such organizations as have been seen
James F. Fulton, who carries the burden
| of this play in the role of Reuben Warner
towers lar ABOVE mis- fellOwS. He Is an eX-
| cellent actor Another member of the COM
pany who deserves special praise is Horace
Noble, who plays Old Benzel. Nothing-not
even the low prices-can excuse the out
landish makeup of Florence MONTGOMERY
as Cinders. or the idiotic conception of Bill
| ly Hopkins by Arthur Smith. The play
made big hit.
| Chicago. ILL.,. Oct. 1S.-Julia Marlowe made
her first Chicago production of For Bonnie
| Prince Charlie at the Columbia Tonight
The news of the success of the play in the
East had preceded it. and this fact with
| the personal popularity of Miss Marlowe
made the audience notable in point of
numbers and fashionable in character. The
performance aroused much applause. Miss
Marlowes first appearance started the en-
| thusiasm and when the curtain fell on the
bow her acknowledgements. This third act
| is of unusual dramatic effect. The produce
tiCn is q complete one, showing much care
full attention to the accessories of cos
| tunes, scenery, incidental music and tab
le2uX.
Philadelphia, Oct IA Ward of
France produced for the first time by
| strong company under the direction of
klaw & Erlanger. at the Walnut Street
| theater, tonight, met with quick and
hearty response from large audience.
| The play is from the pens of Franklin F'yles
| and Eugene w. Pressbrey. and tells
very stirring story of Louisiana early in
| the century. Play and company scored a
| hit and Messrs. Maurice barrymore. Ste
phen Grattan. Joseph Whiting and the
| Misses Olive Oliver, Una Abel and Maud
Granger gave most credtable performances
| of the respective parts.
New York, Oct 1S-At the Knickerbocker
tonight Nat Goodwin. assisted by Miss
NJ Oyt-rN