Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-01-11
THE CONFEDERATE spy.

ic and financial Rarely, indeed, has
it bsen ths privilege OF Phitlipsburg
audience to enjoy 40 entertainment
of such real worth, holding its eb-
sorbing interest from start to finish.
Additional interest was loaned it from
the fact thgt the dramGtis persona
vas made up entirely of home people,
although stranger might we'll have
mistaken them for professionals, the
play having been SO thoroughly re-
heersed and presenting the merit of
being strong of cast, unmarried by
crudeness and finished In detail.
The first scene p.c: ures the con-
ftcting emotions OF aIaud Bradley,
MRS. Nelson), young southern girl,
attending school Ia the north, when
the war broke out. Her heart is di-
vldod between her love for George
Waterman ed. Close), young
nnionist, and her allegiance to the
South. She at last decides that her
duty lies with her father and brother
and bids her lover 8 final farewell.
George is himself about to enlist and
Is preparing TO break the news to his
mother (Mrs. L +. Nlpps)
Mrs. Nelson as u aud Bradley was
all that the part demanded This
was not her initial bow before an
audience; the public, several times
before, having had an opportunity of
testing her ability IN the dramatic line
and on this occasion she only added
fresh Iaurels to those already won.
She maintained tho same degree of
excellence throughout the play, but
made her most effective DO nts in the
third act in the scene between her
brother and lover.
Ed. Close made his first appearance
behind the fooelights on this occasion,
although one could detect none of the
nervousness Of the novice, his manner
being free from embarrassment and
ais rendering OF his lines both easy
and acour ate. In the opening scene
he had dlfieuit part to sustain being
the bearer Of unwelcome news to his
mother and betrothed He scored
his best success 10 the fourth act
where his General wes in jeopardy,
thus displaying his aptitude for the
heroic
Mrs. Nipps' rendering OF the broken
hearted mother was beyond any criti-
oism Of ours. She brought to the
character q dignifed grief and resig-
nation which left nothing to be de-
sired. Her parting with her son was
fall OF pBthos and realistic to degree;
1t was most eff 8e1ive piece of acting
leading to fitting climax in the
departure Of the soldiers and their
marching away 10 the stirring strains
OF the Stars sud Stripes Forever"
The ssoond act opened on the camp
by moonlight and introduced Chss
Mann il the title role He has on
various occasions given proof of the
versatility OF his requirements and !
his audiences as this time found no
reason to think he had refrigerated.
As the southern planter he gave evi-
dence Of possessing much more than
ordinary ability and his reply to the
General was full Of dramatic power
and strength. Among professionals
the portrayal of so old man Is con-
sidered among the most difficult
roles. In g popular play which scored
al immense success g couple of years
ago, the last act was considered by
the casual observer to be superfnous
The explanation given for it's intro
duction WAS that it gave the star,
none other than John Drew, al oppor-
tunity TO display his AGILITY as an old
man. Bearing this in mind and con-
sidering the excellence of Mr. Mann's
deaf old gentleman" he must be
awarded an unusual degree Of credit
Harry Mann as "Sockery" the
Dptchman, was thoroughly at home.
HIS makeup was side splitting and
his comicaiities seemed to dispense
tins gloom which might otherwise have
been cast ever some Of the scenes.
The general verdict was that his
Dutchmsn suffered nothing bg COM
parison with that of Mr.. Locke, who
was here some weeks ago with his
troupe, thst being considered his
best role.
N...4....