The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-15
PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Preparations for the production Of "Janice
Meredith" at the Star theatre, in Buffalo, Oct. !,
going forward rapidly Mary Mannering and
her supporting company are rehearsing daily at
the Madison Square theatre in New York under
the direction Of r. A. Roberts. The dramatic
version of Paul Leicester Ford's story will he
told in four acts. The opening scene will be the
farm OF Squire Meredith, Greenwood" in New
Jersey. Here the leading characters are intro.
duced--Janice, Charles Fownes, the bondsman
Squire Meredith, the staunch Tory, and his
Calvinistc wife: Tabitha Drnker; Squire Mere
dith's sly, scheming neighbor who seeks TO Sc
cure Janice for his son, Philemon, country
pumpkin, who afterward develops into a fight
ing major in the British army; Lord Cloves, the
British spy; Lieutenant Mobray, an honorable
soldier in the kings army, and Joe Bagley, the
trimming, timeseryng captain of the village
militia The finale Of the first act is the arrest
of Charles Eownes and his escape to General
Washington's lines, aided by Janice, with the
grInpowdcr purchased for Bagley's company. The
second act SHOWS the homely life Of the revo'
mtionary time in a scene which represents the
living room at Greenwood Here Fownes, now
known as Colonel John Brercton, Of General
Washngton's staff, is met again, now hard
pressed by Lieutenant Mobrays patrol Janice
aids him to escape the British, The third act is
laid in the headquarters Of the drunken lleSsian
commander, Colonel Rail, At Trenton, Janice
is under arrest for aiding Colonel Brereton to
escape Brereton comes there disguised as a
Hessan soldier TO secure plans and instructions
which Washington desires. Aided by Janice he
secures the papers but is detected and con.
demnad as a spy. He is saved by the Continent.
ais, who Unexpectedly cross the Delaware, de-.
spite the ice, and surprise the hireing Hes.
SLAMS The locale Of the fourth act is Yorktown,
the day of Corvallis surrender. The latter
scene will be unusually elaborate in mechanical
and lighting effects.
The glamour of romance which has always sur.
rounded James O'Neilps performance Of "Monte
Cri,to" is intensified this season by the splendid
scenic setting which Liebl.r & Co. have pro
vided for this ever.pcpular play In spite OF The
fact that Mr.. ONell has played the part over
5000 times the theatrical success of "Monte
Cristo," as indicated by continued acceptance,
has far surpassed that Of all its contemporary
plays. This success has doubtless been due 10
the excellent acting Of MIR, O'Neill, since no
other actor has been able to score more than a
temporary success in the role Of Edmond Dantes.
Although the star has on numerous occasions
endeavored 10 dof permanently the sailor garb,
priestly robes aud court costumes Of the piCtuT,
| esaue and romantic hero, the support that the
| public always gave "Noutc Cristo" lett no room
| for doubt that It would patronize him to the
| full extent OF crowded houses Therefore hi'
managers decided TO introduce him to q few
| cities in an edition de luxe OF his old favorte
| The immensty Of the production has made II
advisable to postpone the production for on,