Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-12-03
Crude Production OF the Famous
French Drama at Har-
per's Theatre.
DIALOGUE Is BADLY MUDDLED
Company Makes a Feeble Attempt
..Some Coming
Shows.


at Harper's theatre last night. The an
nouncements were to the effect that the
play would be interpreted by ''clever
company" The company may be
clever. but not as actors of the char
acters in this drama. There were no
programs. therefore the audience was
left in the dark as to identity of the
cast, but it is not believed there was
any disappointment on this score. I'M
less, perhaps, there were some who
would have liked to file the names for
reference. 1t is understood, however,
the company is a repertoire organiza-
ton that makes week stands, and put
"Sapho" on trial before a Rock Island
audience, intending to include it in it's
repertoire if it went" For once the
great majority of Sunday night thea
tre-goers refused to be hoodwinked,
and the result was a small audience.
The dialogue of the play was annibi
lated and the situations contorted. 1t
was app Irently tedious effort on the
part of the players, and painful or
deal to the audience. Even Jean was
not properly rehearsed in carrying
Fannie. He picked her up as though
she was so much ice. There was an
attempt to entertain with singing
specialties. These were fierce.
other Attractions.
The attraction at Harper's theatre
tonight is Oliver Scott's big Ministries,
a combination of genuine colored per-
formers, which is made up of popu-
lar features, and features that please
the masses. Mr.. Scott, with his usual
good Judgment, announces he has not
only selected first-class talent. but
has introduced great variety of ma
terial of a novel and original charac
ter, and arranged the program in an
admirable manner. There is plenty
of dancing, much popular music, both
vocal and instrumental. and many
other features calculated to please;
highclass specialties, beautiful
marches, etc.
A theatre party of Sunday school
teachers is rather an unusual specta
cle and to think that they went to
the play house with their eyes wide
open and with the consent and APP
prevail of their minister, would prob
ably shock some people, but such a
party was actually organized, and
there were fully so mem bers, and
they all went to see that great and
beautiful home play, "Shore Acres"
during its late run at the Boston the
atre. They didn't sneak in but came
openly. and one and all said they
were glad they came and believed
that such plays as Shore Acres"
could not fail to do great deal of
IOus play nor yet a sermon, but it
makes strong appeal to you through |
its simplicity and originality. and !
when the final curtain falls you feel |
that your evening at the play house
has not been wasted or FILTERED |
away. Arrangements for the produce
tion of James A. Herne's famous |
comedy-drama have been made at the |
Burtis for next Wednesday evening. |
The celebrated military band of
the 18th Highlanders, which is to ap-
pear in full killed regimentals at
Harper's theatre Dec 5, afternoon
and night, is recognized as the best
musical organization in Canada. Its |
success is greatly due to the ability |
and faithfulness of john Slater. !
1t is worthy of mention |
that within six months OF his taking |
charge of the band it entered the |
great band tournament held at Ham
ilton in August, 1896. and won first
prize for general excellence in play
ing military band music. While the
band is unquestionably in the first
rank in general excellence, it has no
equal in true Interpretation of Scot
tish music. Mr.. Slater has had
varied experience during his musical
career; and, besides being a composer
and arranger of merit, he is one of
the finest instrumentalists in the |
lie served with distinction
in Her Majesty's 1st Life Guards
band, London. England, as a soloist,
also in the 9Th fusiliers of Great |
Britain.