Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-07
,..AMUSEMFNTS...

Like step from purgatory into paradise
comes the succession of Sowing the Wind"
after the affiction of Coon Hollow" so
much so indeed that 1t seems like sacrilege
to speak of the two in the same sentence.
Sowing the Wind" tells story which needs
no repeating, for 1t is familiar to theater
patrons in Omaha story which In its es-
sential features is not even a stranger to
the lives of far too many. II it speaks
plainly of society-used in the broad sense
of the word-it can be forgiven in the whole
some lesson which it teaches, and for the
tactful manner in which it is told. 1t has
been fortunate in it's previous visits to
Omaha in having been presented by COM
panies which have not made mawkish the
powerful story by people who had no con-
ception of its worth or ability to interpret
it. 1t is no less fortunate in the present
instance. Not scene or portion of a scene
is marred by ill directed or ill-conceived ef-
fort 1t would have been too bad were it
otherwise for it would have been an af1lic-
tion too great to bear had the large audi
ence which sat out the play past midnight
after witnessing the parades been COM
PEELED to see and hear the powerful drama
mutilated. The best compliment that could
be paid the company was the hearty curtain
calls of a physically tired audience. Not
once or twice but the third time were Mr..
Hall and Miss Gardner compelled to respond
| after the close of the third act and bow their
| acknowledgements. AT other times the audi
ence was scarcely less demonstrative.
| Mr.. Howard Hall has rich and pleasant
! voice. full OF force and tender pathos, which
admirably fits the character of Mr.. Bra.
bacon, and a manner as courtly as could bt
wished. In all the varied moods of the man
racked by remorse at his own past, the mar
of the world pleading the worlds view Of
societys problems and the tender pathos o.
the soul which has found peace, he was
equally successful Miss Gardner as Rosa.
mond as the story unfolds grows in the
estimation of the audience. From rather
| commonplace introduction, which gave LITTLE
| indication of her ability, to the powerful
| scene in the third act she skillfully de
| veloped the character. One of the most per
feet pieces Of acting of the entire perform
ance is her portrayal Of the power of will
| to control intense emotions as she smother
the words crowding for utterance in tina
| fervid scene. Her plea for woman's viev
of social problems was powerfully delivered
w. H. Turner as Mr.. Watkin was a capita
characterization and one is in doubt whcl
to admire most, his comedy or his emotiona
! scene in the last act. Thomas David was
manly lover and julien Barton as the super
| ciious roue was a fine piece of characte
work. Mr.. Richardson as Sir Richard Cur
sitor, the sporty, slangy man about town
was another good bit of character.
With the work of Eugenie Hayden-Mau
Fretwell, the gay and not very worldly wis
) young girl-there was somewhat of loca
: interest, for she is a Nebraska girl who's
home at present is in Hastings and who's
father at different times has been con
nected with the firms of Paxton & Gallaghe
and Dan Farrell & Co. She is sprightl
little miss with an engaging manner, an
made decided hit in a part of not owe
brilliant opportunities. Sowing the Wind
will be the bill for the remainder of tn
week. with Saturday matinee