The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-01
PLAY PRICES PARED.
The Worcester Theatre Opens Series Of
Drama at Cheap Rates.

The Worcester theater was packed
from top to bottom last evening to well
come the Bennett Mouton Comedy
Company on their first appearance in
this city. The occasion must have been
generally pleasing to all parties con-
cerned, for the management was more
than satisfied with the size of their pa
tronage, and the audience on their
part and appeared delighted with
the show. The company is
well balanced and is worthy
a place in the middle of the front row
of similar organizations The staging
is satisfactory, even liberal and no one
can complain he does not get his mon
ey's worth.
The opening play, "In Darkest Rus
STA" is considered the best work of it's
author Grattan Donnelly. There is no
European country about which more
is imagined and less is known than
Russia, and with the suggestive at
mosphere of realistic plots, Siberian
dungeons, police spies and the like to
surround his framework, it would be
a pretty poor playwright who couldn't
construct an exciting drama out of
Russian material. And Mr.. Donnelly
succeeded very well, indeed. The CEN
trail figure of the piece is an imperious
and INSCRIPTIONS Russian noble wom-
an, whose hatred and jealousy of those
who foil her schemes drive her to her
own undoing. This role is excellently
playel by Miss Bette Summerville,
whose commanding physique and long
stage experience perfectly fits her for
the part.
The only other member of the COM
pany previously known here is j. K.
Applebee, Jr, whose extended services
with the JJllie Akerstrom company have
made him leading light In the roper
toire branch of the profession. Mr.. APP
plebee is the stage manager of the COM
pany, and cast himself for Count Naza-
rolf, a nobleman whose enjoyment of
the czars favor enables him to foil all
thewicked countess schemes. In this
role Mr.. Applebee earned rounds of
applause J. Frank Burke has all the
qualifications of a good leading man,
including an imposing presence,
handsome face, easy bearing and ready
intelligence. James F. Kelley is evil
IDENTITY a competent comedian, though
he should know that even the elastic
etiquet Of the repertoire stage can hard
ly stand the strain of a black tie with a
dress suit at a noblemans fete. Minnie
De Haven was a most spirited heroine,
Lora Rogers a rather languid juvenile,
and Dorothy Kent a sprightly ingenue.
The rest of the cast were entirely ac-
ceptable in their work.
The scenery was lavish in its display
of color, and the costumes closely APP
preached those of the original produc-
ton A good orchestra, brought with
the company, discoursed potpourris of
popular airs between acts. and furnish
ed accomplishments for the specialties,
without which now no repertoire COM
pany would dare to cab itself reputa-
BILE. These included q remarkably cley-
er and original conversation and aero
battle act, full of bright hits, closing
with an outrageously funny burlesque
on a. trough rider; two mediocre song
and dance numbers, and easily the
worst German comedian of all the many
bad ones that have afflicted us.
The company gives two performances
today. Offering BARLEY CampbelPs My
Partner as matinee bill, and present
ing "a Daughter of the South at
niebt The company deserves heavy
patronage throughout the week, and
win undoubtedly get 1t.