The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-24
AT THE PLAY LAST NIGHT.

The only moan vale the American
stage has known outside OF Sol Smith
Russell appeared on the stage Of the
Crawford theater last night He IS
Noah Vale" Of much more extensive
physique than the great original, whose
face is much too fun for an ideal inn
PRESERVATION OF u starving poor rela-
tion' whose knees wobble a trifie too
easily, and who lacks much in facial
expression when compared with Mr..
Russell However, he IS A NOah ale
who grows upon his audience and the
fact that he is capable Of forcing him
self in to the favor Of his auditors IS
the greatest compliment that can be
paid Mr.. Keenan,. That he is capable o.
doing this was proven by the applause
last night which forced him TO appear
before the curtain after the first act
and deliver himself Of i curtain speech
after the second act
1t is unjust to such a young actor as
Mr. Keenan, TO hold him up 10 compar-
ison with Sol Smith Russell IN fact Il
comparison with Mr.. Russell would be
unjust 10 almost any actor. Irrespective
Of age, because Of the unique position
Mr. Russell holds in the hearts OF Amer
lean theater g0era Comparison is inc
Vttabie, GrWlthsrandfng- because Mr..
Keenan, is the first TO follow in the foot
steps q the comedian IN one Of his
greatest successes. and particularly as ne
Ne one expects to see q second edition
Of Sol Smith Russell in Frank J. Keen
an But regardless of what individual
expectation may be those who witness
the present production Of A Poor Re
lati0u" see an ambitious disciple and 4
satisfactory Noah Vale"
Every audience that sees Mr.. keenan,
back into the door of the attic residence
Of Noah Vale Immediately places him
upOE PROBATION. In the nrSr act each
night he is compelled 10 prove that he
is not guilty Of presumption in attempt
ing To follow the great comedian This
necessarily means that he must prove
the possession of sufficient ability To in
terpret the character in q manner sim
Karat least. to that OF Mr.. Russell. Last
night Mr. keenan, had no trouble in es-
rabdshlng the necessary proof At the
close Of the initial act the applause was
go hearty as to cause him to come be-
fore the curtain
In the second and third acts the at
titude Of the audience towards the actor
was easy. and his work was repeatedly
responded to- The climax at the close
OF the second act was handled by Mr.
keenan, better than any other incident
IN the perf0I nance, and won for him
curtain cali In a neat speech before
the curtain Mr.. keenan, referred TO the
fact that Is years ago he appeared at
the Crawford theater with Mr. Russell
in the part Of the Deacon" in Edge
wood Folk"
Dir. Keenan, is an imitator to great
extent OF Mr.. Russell. At times, how
ever, he gives his Noah Vale" an origi-
nal turn In the pathetic passages he is
much nearer Mr. I2usseIl's standard than
in the humorous scenes.
Mr.. Keenan, was given good support
by the members Of Mr.. Russelrs com
pany- Miss Lila C0uvare is a charming
and sweetIy sy-mpathetic Dolly Fave .
and Miss Hazel *. ChappeIle who was
Little lamar in Mr.. Russell-s original
production Of A Poor Relation makes
an ideal -Scolops" The two children
Wllh the company are particularly
bright juvenile professionals
matinee performance is being given
this afternoon and the closing perform
Ance viii be given tonight The differ
~nee IN size between the audience last
nlsht and the immense audience which
saw The Hon John Grigsby' year
ago was an eloquent proof Of Mr.. Rus
sels great personality