The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-02


do any previous production ever given at
the Union Family theater and give an
elaborate and costly presentation of the
famous Russian melodrama, Michael
Strogoff'' This is probably one of the
most noted of American productions,
following closely on the publication or
the novel as it did, in several forms. the
most noted being kiralfys spectacular
creation. The dramatic adaptations
were more numerous, but nevertheless
acceptable, and each has enjoyed big
successes. 1t is vivid and interesting
story, dealing with a war between Iar-
tary and Russia, during which one ivan
Ogareff, a Russian, turns traitor and at
tempts to deliver the Notifications al
Irkutsk into the hands of the enemy.
The duke at st. Petersburg becoming
conversant with the plot, dispatches
Michael Strogoff a special courier
with a message announcing the date
that reinforcements would arrive at
Irkutsk. Strogoff is compelled to ira
verse a wilderness Ell route to his ST.
berian destination that is covered with
wandering and hostile tribes of Arabs,
Slavs, Cossacks and Tartars, who are
ravaging the country during this fear
full war. BY chance he is accompanied
by Nadia Feodor. an orphan, en- route
TO Join her exiled father in his Siberian
prison. and the abuse, torture and bar
barouS treatment, together with eXclt-
ing exploits of both. are intensely in
teresting. After attempting to blind
Strogoff. the Tartars are about to put
the woman to death on circumstantiai
evidence, when all are rescued by an
English and an American correspondent.
and all reach their destination in safety
in time to save the city, and Ivan Ogar-
eff suffers death at the hands of Stro-
goff The piece has been specially cast
for this holiday production. Mr. Nc
Gregor will essay the title role, with
which he is particularly familiar. May
Nannary will be the orphan girl, Nadia.
Charles Edmonds will be seen to ad-
vantage as Ivan Ogareff, and Maud
Sutton will have the vigorous role OF
Hangar. w. r. Daley makes his in
1tial appearance with the stock company
as the American correspondent and will
have strong foil in Russell Graham as
ahe English associate.
Special and elaborate wardrobe has
been brought from San Francisco for
the production and the Union patrons
can well expect holiday treat.
Richard Mansfield's experiences with
his dresser in Philadelphia ended in
manner somewhat different from his
usual disagreements with his employees
says the New York Sun. These rup-
lures have been frequent enough to
make many persons hesitate before any
business association with him. al
Enough Mr. Mansfield has never been
"a BILE himself to discover any reason in
the world why anybody should quarrel
with him.
quarrel with me?" he asked once
i'm the presence of group of his
friends. why. | am a little ball Of
dancing sunshine. Who would quarrel
with fae?
great many persons have quarreled
with him. but il must be said that he
" ui a
body likely TO become connected with
him. One story OF this kind exhibits
MIR. Mansfield's methods. He was on
the point of engaging as secretary a
young man with whom he had been in
negotiation for several weeks. One
might when he was acting in the city
me invited the prospective secretary to
go home with him TO supper. and the
fheater was quite remote from the place
at which they took supper After they
were seated the actor suddenly called
for his valet and asked him where "A
certain ring which he wore habitually
then was. The man said that he had
placed it as usual in the pocket of the
coat which Mr.. Mansfield had worn
when he came into the dressing room
That was the place in which the ring
was regularly put But that explana-
tion did not satisfy the actor. He in
sisted that the valet go down to the
aheater and see if the ring We're not in
O'Clock" the man protested. But he
was told TO go and have the theater
opened. He obeyed, and after a few
minutes Mr.. Mansfield drew the ring
from his pocket and put ii on.
II realized as soon as he spoke" he
said, that / had forgotten to look in
that pocket for my ring. But / never
allow myself TO feel that anybody in
any employ can do anything but my
own will What l say must be done
1ra4f Ia
TO the theater and looking for the ring
made il certain that he would have to
go. / realized that ] might have the
ring in my pocket. But in any case my
will had 10 be obeyed."
The allegory was little too direct
for the wonld-be secretary and his ne
gotiations with the actor ended that
night.
Love sometimes produces greater
comedies and even greater tragedies be-
hind the scenes than are ever produced
before the footlights. certain man,
prominently identified with a local the
atrical company is car in his little
world. An exceedingly beautiful young
lady is an humble super in the conf
pany. and she is supposed to hold the
czar-like actor in as much reverence
as a peasant girl would q prince. She
may love him-and. then, she may
not.
Ana. the ACTOR man, ne OF lnnuenCc
and power, deigns TO smile upon the
poor super" as she stands in the
wings during a rehearsal. She answers
with a smile. and her black eyes
sparkle.
At that nights performance the poor.
but beautiful young girl had drawn her
small stipend as a super" Out of her
weeks salary of SO she spent 81 for a
handsome bouquet of roses and had an
usher to carry the floral Offering TO the
high-salaried actor. after he had re-
refyed a curtain call by an enthusiastic
audience. She placed no card on the
bouquet She stood in the wings. and
her heart throbbed with joy as she
saw the actor-man coming into the
wings. carrying the handsome bouquet
of roses.