The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-13
QUO vADIS HERE.
Whitney Version Seen in To-
peka For First Time.
One of the Most Gorgeous Pro-
ductiOns Of the Season.
CAST A STRONG ONE.
Emperor Nero Depicted in All
His Brutality.
Play Will Be Repeated at the
Crawford Tonight.
CAST A STRONG ONE.

For the first time last night Topeka
had an opportunity to see the whitney
production of "Quo Vadis." It is one
of the most deliberately staged produc-
tions that has been in the city this year,
and the principals are strong and sat
isfactory.
Last year a transforming company
visited Topeka with something they
called "Quo Vadis," which was a libel
on the stage as well as upon the Chris
tan religion, whose early history it is
supposed to portray. and a good many
people were caught with the bait That
fact was probably responsible for the
small crowd that saw the opening per
torrance of the Whitney company last
night But the mistake may yet be rem
edled, for the 14eavenWOrth date was
cancelled because of the small stage,
and the play will be given a second pro-
duction at the Crawford tonight
Sienkiewicz's famous novel has not suf-
fered in the hands Of Stanislaus STANCE.
Few people who read the book when it
was first published imagined that it
could be readily adapted to the stage,
but Mr.. STANCE solved the difficult prob
lem in Il gratifying and thoroughly sat
isfactory manner.
But even Mr. STANCES remarkably
strong version in the hands of an in
competent caste would make the play
ridiculous. The actor who steps before
a modern audience arrayed in the robes
Of NerO's time is in a. dangerous posi-
ton. If he fails in his conception he
turns tragedy into a farce. The cast
seen in Topeka last night rose grandly
to the occasion, and, while there were
two or three weak spots in the minor
parts, the play was well produced-very
well produced.
Harry Roberts, as Petronius, was an
admirable character. As the shrewd ad-
wiser of the brutal tyrant, Nero, he was
diplomatic and aggravatingly cool Mr.
T1~,I. S. Mr
Roberts is cast as the star. the really
heavy work falls upon Marcus Ford as
Ninicius. Mr.. FOrd's work in the part
is excellent. He was as impulSive and
as brave as the young hero is pictured
in the novel. and the scene showing his
conversion to Christianity is delicately
done and very impressive In the more
vehement parts Mr. Ford shows more
than ordinary strength, and does not
rant. In fact, it is difficult to conceive
a more satisfactory conception OF the
part.
Nero, the cruel profiigate emperor,
was in the hands of Joseph Callahan.
In his makeup he has copied the bust
of the tyrant in the Vatican, and he
gives the audience a good perception of
the besotted, inhuman monster as he Is
known to history. The part may really
be called a minor one in the STANCE YER
sion. but nevertheless it requires fin
ished actor, and Mr.. Callahan is all of
that One sees the monster in all his
cruel vanity and wonders whether hui
mainly ever should have tolerated such
a being as the ruler Of the greatest en-
pire on earth.
I.ygia might have been Improved upon
and the same may be said of Eunice, |
but the parts are not so important as
one would suppose. Mary Emerson, as
the young Christian Lygian, has several
opportunities. but they are limited and
even in the final act one feels a lack Of
something. One of the weak spots was
Edward Powell as Tigellinus.
When ali this is said the fact re-
mains that ''Quo Vadis'' is a success. |
The greatest Of care has been taken to !
make the scenic effects perfect in every |
detail. There are six acts, with an en-
tirely new stage setting for each act, |
and the final scene in the Roman arena |
is positively grand
The atmosphere of the play is good |
It's effect is better than a sermon, for a |
person can see as well as hear The tr1- |
umph of Christianity was never better |
than in the last scene, when |
the martyrs sing the praises of the Lord |
with their latest breath.
"Quo Vadis'' deserves crowded house |
tonight