The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-22
WORCESTER THEATRE.
"UNDER SEALED ORDERS.

This play is rather POLITICALLY de-
matte romance" Its author, James w.
Harkins, claims Worcester as his home
and passes his few leisure moments
here, but since his birth, in 1853, he
hasn't taken much rest anywhere.
I Whether teaching school down in
Texas or living the nomadic life of a
struggling actor, or scribbling articles
for the metropolitan dailies, his one
aim has been to become a successful
dramatic writer. That he has realized
his ambition, such works Of his as
Midnight Alarm" Fire Patrol" THE
White Squadron" and Northern
Lights can testify. Under Sealed
Orders" he considers his best work.
1t is written along bold and original
lines. II has every ear-mark of origi-
nality-the best evidence of real genius.
The story opens at the Bears Head
Inn in London, where a bold conspira-
cy is Matched to purloin the official
jewels of the royal family. The rob
berry is committed by notorious
French criminal, Andre Samson. He
flies to Algeria. The prologue OF the
play deals with that interesting cpl
sode. The balance of the play deals
with the efforts of the English secret
service corps to capture the thief A
beautiful love story is interlaced with
the plot of this play. The sublimely
picturesque backgrounds, magnificent
in their melancholy significance; the
desert, majestic in its desolation, and
the magical atmosphere of the Orient,
present picture not soon to be for
gotten. The production from a scenic
standpoint reaches the level of the en-
terprises that won for Sir Henry Irving
his title.
Maurice Freeman. Worcester's favo-
rite romantic actor, whose photograph
is cherished ornament in many fem
mime sboudoirs, plays the principal role,
that of the French criminal, Andre
Samson. The character is q curious
one. 1t is sardoncally cynical and re-
pellant, without one redeerning trait,
yet withal, its intellectual brilliancy
and mysterious psychical qualities fas-
cinate the audience. The marvellous
hypnotic power of The man is his po-
tent tool of villainy.
JOHN DREW.
John Drew, Charles Frohmans pol
ished star, is always sure Of hearty
welcome in this city, but he is doubly
so this time, for he brings with him
Henry Arthur Jones comedy, THE
Liars" which throngs of people at the
Empire Theatre, New York paid trib-
ute to for over four months. At the
Hollis Street in Boston Mr.. Drew has
been proportionally successful, and the
play has aroused such curiosity that for
weeks the constant question asked
Manager Rock was, When is John
Drew ccning?"
THE Liars" is as its title indicates,
a comedy wherein several of the char
acters display depth of mendacity
that makes Ananias appear like George
Washington in comparison. The COM
edy element is perhaps more pro-
nounced than in most OF the plays Mr.
Drew has appeared in of late, vet the
romance and refinement and what may
be called the manners" of the piece
are not allowed to deteriorate thereby
Beautiful Isabel IrVingS still leads the
feminine portion of the stars support
"THE OLD HOMESTEAD
THE Old Homestead" in which
Depman Thompson viii appear in his
original character of Uncle Joshua
Whitcomb. at the Worcester Theatre,
next Friday, is play without any pre-
tensions to strong or intricate plot Tt
is rather succession of home scenes,
in which country life in New England
and city life in the metropolis are
strongly contrasted. 1t is pastoral and
uoHuelys anu through 1t all runs the
story of two young men who were cast
aorift by their own folly and intemper-
ance and restored to home and honor
by well-directed moral persuasion.
THE Old Homestead is redolent of
the fragrance of country life There
is the sunshine of happy eontentment
and healthful vigor all around, only
Swallowed by the concern of Uncle
Joshua Whitcomb and Aunt Matilda
for the absent boy who had hoped to-
better his fortune by leaving the farm
for the great city.
Uncle Josh, in aiding a castaway to
LEAD a better life, finds that his bread
cast upon the waters, returns to him
an run measure, for the rescued wan
derer becomes the means of retaining
the hayward son.
MI. thompson grows disnclined to
travel with advancing years, as the
1act of his vouchsafing Worcester but
single night shows; as the prospect
or ever again seeing the distinguished
actor himself play the part he has made
famous is remote, there should not be
a a., single seat vacant in the Worcester
Theatre next Friday night.