The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-01
LARGE AUDIENCE

Pleased by Willie Collier at Elka'
Bsneat-Repsated This Evening.
One Of the most brilliant usscmblasas
ever at wheeling Park was that of last
NIGHT. The occasion was tho annual
benefit for wheeling Lodge No, IS, b
p O. E., and the attraction, that stor-
linz Young comedian Willie colllerSup-
Dorted by an exceptionally strong COM
many, presenting his latest f0rco en-
titled "Mr. Smooth"
The evening was anything but
pIeasant one as far as the weather was
concerned. but Notwithstanding this
tbe audience was sufficiently large to
comfortably fill the immense seating
capacity of the Casino and was made
nm Of the representative society element
n the city and surrounding towns. 1t
was one of those audiences for which
wheeling lodge can always count on
and # is to the members credit to say
that each succeeding years benefit adds
additional laurels to their already boun-
teous fame as entertainers OF the first
water. ,,
The performance glver by Mr.. Collier
and his capable support was first class
In every particular and the clever young
comedian more than pleased all his old
admirers and made many new cnes. In
tho role of Joe Patten," or "Mr.
smooth" as the name he assumes during
the action of the comedy, he appears In
nm entirely new line from anything he
has attempted, and 1t must be said he
handles the lines in fauItless manner
and accepts every opportunity to Gre
ote refined merriment. The comedy Is
n very good one and kept the audience
in a continual good humor. The situa-
lions are funny and the dialogue sharp
and witty There is not one point IN
the entire performance that is In the
ls,st suggestive or broad and for this
reason .'Mr. Smooth" is an improve
msnt over many of the so-called re-
0ned comedies on the boards at the
present time. However, the amusement
loving people who have seen Mr.. Collier
in former roles will be loath to admit
that he appears to SO good an advan-
tnEe in his present undertaking as In
former ones.
The company is made up Of some OF
the best Of the recognized comedy stars
and every member handled his or her
part in a faultless manner. Louise AL
len-Collier as Vera vane" was very
wInsome and made the most of a very
clever character. Miss Helena Collier
as Rose Chilelgh" sustains her repu-
tntIon as an actress Of exceptional abili-
ty and Helen Relmer US Angelica,
added very materially to the attractive
ness of the comedy. Miss Myrtle May
handled the thankless part Of the maid
as very few have done and unless ap-
pearances fail to denote merit she has
n bright future before her MS an actress.
OF the male members OF the company
Thomas Evans, Larry Sheehan, NJ L.
Heckert, John F. Ward and George w.
Parsons are worthy of being ciassed
with the upper tendon of comedy work
Taken all in all the entertainment was
an exceedingly fine one and the local
Elks are to be congratulated upon Sc
curing such n clever attraction.
Tonight the performance Will be re-
peated and in addition to the show. as
a special feature, dancing will wind M
the evenings enjoyment. The number of
tickets sold lnsures an even larger audi
ence than that OF last night and those
who contemplate attending, should lose
no time In having their seats reserved
at ]. w. Grubb's music store. Special
cars for Belaire, Martins Ferry and
Benwood. after the performance. have
been arTenged for,