The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-25


ated by belief in this idea, for this play is
fun OF these elements, and the long
career II has had seems to bear out
Boucicaults theory. Russia, with its
many opportunities for strong character
drawing and bright coloring, both in
scene and costumlng has been n prolific
field for dramatic writer's, yet few of the
many so-calied Russian dramas have at
tanned the lasting popularity Of this one.
1t is play Of elaborate scenic require
ments, and Mr. Jepson carries all of the
staging for IT.
His company comes with high common
dations. Among the players that will be
seen may be mentioned Katherine Will
lard an actress not yet out OF her teens.
yet Of much dramatic force and intensity:
Herbert Fortier. an excellent young lead
Ing man, while the comedy of the play
devolves upon Harry ID. Byers and Alta
Perry. both well known In their art.
V w
FOLLOWING Darkest Russia" at the
Third Avenue. "Coontown 400" the
only negro farce comedy that has
ever visited Seattle. will play weeks
engagement.
CRANK l.. BtXBY. business manager
OF the Darkest Russia" company,
which IL to be this weeks attraction
at the Third Avenue theater, In relating
says:
you gentlemen here In Seattle know
and hear all about the uncertainty and
chances OF the gold fields; but they are
nothing TO those of the theatrical field.
for in the former there are sometimes
surface Indications or other signs TO give
you an idea, but there is simply nothing
In our business to Indicate In advance
either success or failure Several years
ago ! was managing the Grand opera
house in 81. Paul for Jacob Lift. We had
expensive stock company our
hands for the summer, including. among
others Louis James and Julia Arthur
The stock season had not been any too
profitable. and II got 10 be the first week
In August, and we had one more week Of
the stock to run
"Mr. Lit was going away 10 join one of
his road companies the following DAY, and
I'm clearing out his room he ran across
manuscript OF a play that had been lying
around all summer, and which ~ had
read and pronounced no good, But authors
want their manuscripts returned. even II
managers think them worthless. So Mr.. lat.
took the play over To the thea.er. and
throwing Il down carelessly. said Send
that play back 10 the man whose address
YOU will ind on the cover / asked what
n was. and Lift replied. oh fellow nam.
Cd Darcy wrote 81 for a play. but there
isnothing IN IT took the manuscripts up to
my office. and being busy az the time throw
n aside, until | could ind time to wrap
It w and ship Il away
That afternoon. during the matinee.
having uothing elsn % do ! began 10 read
the manuscript 20 NH time ! had MT i'm
nished tho second act uutu became inter-
extcd and read on becoming more snd
more Impressed with the possibilities Of The
thing a. ! read I finished the play. and
went down stairs iusi as tho thra act ~
the lobby I az once began 60 Hree him to
buy the play lie simply lauga a. ne.
said ! was developing insanity 90 talk %
buying q play Of tha; kind Then chang
81 my tactics and urgod him 20 lee me Try
e with our stock company ~ we had
nothing Tor our last week hut Oliver
Twist SIN ne vas obdufate and % was
oHly after a long argument that Re said.
We'll have your own way II WI only
cost a quarter 70 telegraph tho man. ard
ask him What No win take 60 lee ua use
the thing for week ~ once wired
parev. she author 90 chicago. and ir-
strAA 81 saying What be would lake TO- the
use ~ the play. De answered that %
would he IN ST Paul the nsNt nerniax.
on receipt cf this message J again vrgei
tAtt 10 buy tire play, and I was iaa8eut
that Ns got Gus of humor attn ne
To make ms story short. Darcy carc
M, wanted 81 90 Tor a. ard succeeie3 n
NiGTlnE MI lAtt NFftatAA tef us as
savancr. bat a contract was aaally made
giving u= the use az the say Tor the lrlsl
week and I-.tt an ogtion on tho psay for
"A wear Thereafter. darcy 60 have small
f,,yalty II lat, accepted ere pisy. unless
ne business should ~ - pf3 Il w~es plHrr
hc,d out Tor rails latter pravlso ara Tst
conceded e. taytoE az she ume ttst an-
tA0rs vote au CRAZY sHi than .he piay
would never see the day % could drau 81 tol
Co. a week
We'll ! produced In ola Kentucky far
that Was the name q tas mu~h tf*geas3
rlny. and TAt, came ap 90 sfc 81, and after
.aftiuy the Performance oat Pr cart te
~. ana said be was sorry fr fsrs
tbat haa no hotter iaAEmynt taan has
go. any one esuA see there was thing
f.. the utete % So true oar company as
rot et "a and as uune a. tsea1 hx"d tae
rlav and q Nas the last wcek ~ me sca-
ssr ;ray acted & badly bai ! siiA tae4f1t
-,ul4 asp the possibilities n o. ana NY
s-.n,.siss-n wra No de7iston. rot only from
my boss tut also fraJa the compass.
However. Va worr ei out the week arf
cur business vas only far AZ che ems =
the week tiu was siill - the cqi9ion
there was nothing tn SC, bat saii as he Aa3
a wears option ne would let % lie over
and he did and tried for the entire year
TO and something 90 produce the following
sos son. bat falling Zen back on Darcy
play Tor lack % anything else.
The first real production % the play
vas given the last week OF his year q op-
ton NJ Pftfshurg. and mUcA 70 tie sGrpTise