Evening star., 1897-11-30
AMUSEMENTS. A

COLUMBIA FHEATER-Mr. Charles
Frohman. whose theatrical generalship
has caused surprise to the public at
large and CONSERVATION in the show
business will soon be signing for
new worlds to conquer. He has triumphed
In nearly all kinds of entertainment, from
drama to farce comedy. His territory
knows only such limitations as give those
vino follow him gratifying assurance that
! they are not likely to encounter purient
suggestion. In The Salt of the Earth"
he invades the domain of the popular
price" drama. but with a dash which can
not fafl 10 command the attention of any
audience which comes under the influence
of its stalwart enthusiasm. The gallery
seemed to be in sympathy with the piece
peIore the curtain arose. By some psy-
choiogy 1t knew what was going to happen.
ana the actors did not bend to their en-
deayors with more .earnestness than tbe
saiery showed In working up the applause
Nothing escaped their attention. They an
! Panded II n seat dropped and Kissed the
Villain, regardless of whether he happened
10 oe doing anything yiilainous at that
particular moment or not. 1t was one of
the best galleries that has been exhibited
m years. But the people on the stage were
not overshadOwed in the noise-mak king.
Ihey had an unfair advantage, as the
management had provided them with tin
horns The rise of the curtain, disclosing
~SAufuS, IcCA1teu tne manner in
which the walls of Jericho went down, the
oinerence being that the curtain took the
other direction. Once under way the ac
tlon never halted. With no pretense of
It's native vigor and spontaniety The snc
cession of events is supposed to occur in
southern Indiana Mr. Arthur contributes
~ ~ science the valuable Information that
Ia Ia southern Indiana the people import
their dialect from all parts of the conti
n., .1e, ana that they are fond of dressing
themselves in any odds and ends thai
happen to be handy, Grovided only that
tney are grotesqlle. =.
It was obviously inteH4ed to give the
piece atmosphere" and Nhe purpose is
iavasn,y iavgay accomplished. 1t is one of the
mems OF atmosphere that has occurred in
many seasons. AA'
There Is tendency to sneer at the eni-
gran, gan IN literary composition. and Mr.
arthur has avoided it. The actors in this
company earM heir salaries, every one of
tnem; they 1zEe mot permitted to loll about
on upholstery and make impertinent re-
ma marks to onn another The temptation to
say something swiftly or wise doubtless
comes to MIRO Arthur as 1t does to most men
Out ne Is practical playwright rather
tnan piat9Writer, and knows that such
tninss are Hcry. likely to be wholly lost on
an audience ned,nated to expect saw mills
anu nre engines in their dramas Annie
nusseiL Is hathe company, sweet fdyllic
ana rehned.2 Now and then q clearing was
quiet personality welded the gentle potency
Wnlch her admirers love so well to ac-
knowledge. sEGven when, in defiance of he;
cruef stepmotheHs persecutions, she stems
oack and Says. sSTouch me and I'll wash
your face ,witipn this pumpkin pie" the
force Of her Individuality redeems the
pafhos. The company is an excellent one
Theodore Bzbc6ck Is q manly young st,,-
dent and politician, George w. Wilson.
good, old-fashioned farmer and George
Denham, an amusing village wag Alice
Ftsher. who. played the role of a rural
cleopatra. Is zone of the best stage ad-
venturesses. as well as one Of the best
onaracter comediennes, behind the foot
lights.
Mr.. Arthur was somewhere around. and
ne did not escape the prescience Of the Eal-
tery. He was Justify called for. Mr.. Arthur
apofog.zed for any defects in the piece on
the score Of its being performed for the
nrst time. thsreby getting his dates mixed.
The principal defects occurred prior to the
nrst rehearsal. The work. Of the company.
Tar from presenting serious defects. was
notable for redcemiag features With an
Its clatter and oi,truslve mechanism ..Tha
Salt of the Earth interests 1t appeals
forcibiy to a distinct hut large clientele. II
commands the eye with an uuremittinr
display OF physical energy. and arrests the
attention of the ear like brass hand
whether or not the brass hand xtays n
tune Is Of minor consequence. P66pis WIN