Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-12-08

Fifty years an actor! Few zen there
80 IN our community who enjoy the
s,s,lnctlon Of making that claim, but
sno NJ them last night was given
A.orty and whole-souled testimonial
So crowd OF his friends at the Salt
lake Theater The veteran was Phil
,roreetts. and though he has faced
,,opv an audience in his time, he has
rrobably faced but few that gave him
a warmer reception. than that Of last
evening. The house was handsomely
oued below, and fairly we'll above, and
os everything, from the house rent
down to the water boys, was rendered
free there was probably a neat-sized
nurse handed the benehcaire. The
sum viii be somewhere between $500
The bin OF the evening was an en-
,oyable one: II opened with the second
art of "The Chimes Of Normandy by
tbe Salt Lake Opera company. con-
ducted by Mr. Weihe and with Miss
savage. Miss Levy and Messrs. God
dard Spencer Piper and Campbell In
their old roles. The ever beautiful
music Of the opera was appreciated
heartily, and all the members met with
The old time applause the gem Of the
Act the quintette. being given a big
recall. the work OF the chorus, too.
must be specially commended, and Mr.
spencers old miser was as strong as
ever. Seeing one act Of the beautiful
ala work makes one wish for It's re-
yiyal complete. Mr. Margetts appeared
I'm the two act drama "Old Phil's
birthday" and had an ovation on his
entrance. His acting retains much OF
the old rugged force and hearty humor
which used TO render him so great a
fayorite in the old stock days, when he
trod the same boards with Mckenzie,
Uardle. Lindsay Graham, Clawson,
Caine. Dunbar. Maiben and the host Of
other pioneer day players several Of
whom by the wav were noticed In the
audlence-and that his work evoked
many a pleasant memory was evinced
by the way II was constantly applaud
"a by the audience.
After the first act, Mr.. Margetts was
yoclferously called for, and coming be-
fore the footllghts made a fifteen min
utes speech In a very happy fashion.
Il was alike humorous, impressive and
touching and was heartily responded
10 By the audience. He thanked by
name everyone who had assisted IN ten
derng the testimonial 10 him, and said
Ne felt like one who had been long alb
sent and WAS returning 10 the old
homestead. He then referred 10 the
debt that was due the pioneer players
who organized In the old band wagon
that stood on VIM. Pitts lot on the
corner OF North Temple and First
West streets, fifty years ago. It was
that organization he said, that made
not only the Social Hall, but the salt
Lake Theater. a possibility. He often
thought OF his old associates Of fifty
years ago. who had passed into the i'm
penetrable beyond. and he asked the
audience not 10 forget those who had
laid the foundations OF the drama In
this city.
Mr.. Margetts was supported by an
amateur company, consisting OF Miss
Howarth, Mrs. Nell Brown, both OF
whom showed marked talent and
Messrs PIERCE, McAllster Woodruff
and Kirk; the performance was quite
smooth, considering the actors lack
OF experience. \ very charming olio
was also given, Mr.. Fred Graham be-
ing encored for a clever coon song,
Mr.. Weihc rendering an exquisite vio-
Nm solo from the orchestra, and Miss
Clark and Mr. Dougall singing a 'etch-
ing duet from 1.-THE Runaway GIRL
r. Daniel Frawley and his company,
which Ia this year the largest he has