The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-25
PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

The present eagerness to transfer successful and
widely read fiction t. the stage is of compara-
lively recent development. Halt dozen years
ago il was an unwrtten law Of theatcrfolk that
a book seldom could be turned into a successful
or actable play. Occasional efforts in dramatiln-
ton were made; but few of them recorded
as having been successful. Now and then, an
author acknowledged indebtedness to this or that
book for scene, situation, or perhaps a set
Of characters. Sometimes senSatiOnally sue.
cesSful story, like "Rohert Elsmerc" or "rhe
Cemenccau Case" would he put forward boldly
in play form. Apart from the dramati2ationS
Of some OF Dickens novels however, there were
few "book plays" as they have been termed In
the literature OF the standard theater. "Danicl
Druce" was a sterling exception; but, a Gne
and moving drama il never was so successful as
10 warrant its frequent Offering even by the best
actors Local thcater-goers may recall that
the late +. J. Davenport acted il here; but our
public didn't take kindly to it. There are
standard PLAYS made from "Thp Old Curiosity
Shop" "Thc Cricket on the Hearth" David
CoppCrhcd" and "Oliver Twist" to mention
those of the Dickens novels that have passed
into what il termed the "ropTtoirc." Because
Of the rich field for character acting, the Dick
ems books always have been popular with stage.
folks; but really fine play has been made
from any Of them. Possibly the best is "Thc
Only Way" Quite az good, az least as any
"Tom Pinch" the cpisodical stage Use Of Mar.
tin Chuzzlcwit," which was offered here a few
seasons ago by T.. s. Willard. and which, It was
understood, at the time was made by the actor
himself But the English writing novclists
whose names have been identhcd with success
in the thcater were few in number until recent
~. Successive attempts to dramatize "Nanitv
Fair" failed until Tangdon Mtchclrs play form
Of ThaCkeray's story was acted into success, and
this play, perhaps, should he included under the
classification of 'modern instances" II will
he treated quite nicely next season hy Gertrude
Coghlan in new version.
In the great revival Of Shalespcarc's "a Mid.
summer Nights Dream" which Wagenhals and
Kcmpcr have prepared for their stars, Mr., Louis
James and Miss Kathryn Kidder and their great
company Of forty.one people, there will be
wonderful combination Of dramatic interest, low
comedy diversion, fairy revclS music, dancing
and spectacle, every feature Of which has been
met by the vast preparations that have been
made this summer, The great scenic feature OF
the play will be the representation of dawn at
| the close Of the fourth act. This will be ac.
complished by an elaborate system Of Transparent
| cPs electrical colorights, gorgeous Calciums
| and moving panoramas. The scene is the fairy
| wood near Athens and the transformation will
| pass from the moon.lit wildwood. with its mys,
| tcrious shadows to the full burst Of morning,
making, II Is Saln, lhe most rtdllsllc ana heau-
| tiul Transformation ever seen on the American
! stage.
The tour Of Madame Modicska will begin on
| October 18th, at Montreal. II was the nten.
| tion of the great Polish actress 10 open her
| season later, Just after the close Of the presi
| Dental campaign, but there has been such
| demand for her in her new production Of liking
| John" which is being prepared for her by her
| new managers, Messrs. Wagenhals and Kemper
| that she has decided to begin a month earlier
| than first calculations, The "King John" re-
| yiyal will be made on a most elaborate scale
| Modieska will doubtless arouse much interest
| by her appearance as Constance. She will have
| the support Of X. d. MacIean as King John
| Odette Tyler as Prince Arthur and a notably
| strong company in the numerous other interest.
| ing characters Of this great historical tragedy
| The New York downtown street organ estab.
| lishments promise the public a trinity of new
| cylinders with the advent of "The Rogers Broth.
| ers in Central Park" The three new tunes TO
be added to the popular whistlng and grinding