The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-02
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE DEVIL ON EARTH.


THE DEVIL ON EARTH.
Marie Corellis celebrated novel. THE
Sorrows Of Satan" the sales Of which
in this country alone are said TO have
exceeded one million copies, has been
turned into a drama. This was inevita-
hle in the case Of q book possessing such
theatrical qualities. and the readers Of
which have numbered far more than
those of 1.-THE Christian Rupert Of
Hentzau," OF "A Lady of Quality" al
Of which furnished excellent dramatic
material. The play Is to be given here
for the first time next Wednesday at
the Crawford theatre.
In The Sorrows Of Satan the Devil IS
represented as the victim Of mans evil
nature. He is being punished through all
the ages for his rebellion in Heaven. and
is forced to mingle with men, exerting his
evil influence yet yearning himself for
salvation. He has grown weary Of his
power. He has eupped his I'll Of damna-
ton, but ne cannot control his influence
for evil. He can only feebly endeavor to
do good. Whenever a human being re-
sists his temptation. the term OF Luei-
fer's punishment is shortened and the
fallen angel is brought nearer the por-
tals Of the paradise he once affected to
despise. As few m0rtals resist tempta-
ton to evil, the "Son OF the Morning
has an almost hopeless case. Hence Sa-
tan's sorrows, compared with which the
sorrows Of men are trihes fOr each mans
salvation depends upon himself. whereas
Satan's is at the mercy Of the whole
human race.
While tire idea Of the Devil appearing
upon the earth is not entirely new for
Goethe has pictured it before. his charac-
ter is absolutely original with Marie Co
relu. In making the Spirit OF Evil fol-
low the example Of his Divine Master
the author has not written irreverently.
the story being told in an absolutely II
reproachable manner and with deep re-
ligious fervOr. Manager VIM A Brady
Is said to have cast this play with an
appreciation of the difficulties Of a5e-
quate representation. It viii have all the
requisite scenery. which Is OF a gorgeous
nature. the leading scenes representing
fte de ehampetre. employing nearly one
thousand electric lights, moonht con-
servatory. and the deck Of a yacht storm
tossed at sea.
More noted people saw way Down
East" which comes to the Crawford the
atre soon, during its long run in New
York than any play produced there in
years. Mrs. Mckinley, BENJAMIN Harri-
son Archbishop Corrgan and DR.. Park
hurst all declare it to be the best home
play they had ever seen and endorsed It
and recommended it to all lovers of pure
and wholesome amusement
The difference between good farce com
edy these days and a Hoytian comedy is
that the modern farce comedy Is simply
a vehicle created to introduce a line Of
specislties. music and gags with no par
ticular plot, point or object than to
amuse. Hoytian comedy has all Of this
but is has more and something that is
original with and peculiar, to Hoyt. tt
is the pointed yet kindly satire The
lines Of a Hoytian comedy are frought
with g double meaning. usually shafts
pointed at some social foibles or public
nuisance. and what Gilbert and sullivan
were in the opera line in England Charles
Hoyt was to musical comedy in America
"a Hole in the Ground was presented
by a capable company at the Crawford
theater last night. In fact it was ore
Of tn chest Hoyt companies that has been
here for some time and gave excellent
satisfaction. Any one who didn't see the
performance missed a fine show. "A
Hole in the Ground is a satere directed
against the petty but Infatuated insults
heaped upon the public by minor class
of railroad officials. It brings out and
mildly demonstrates against the numer-
Gus annoyances TO which treveler on
the railroads is subjected at times. This
play was first presented at San Francisco
about twelve years ago with Flora Walsh
as the lunch counter girl. 1t was shortly
after Hoyt had married her The play
was a great success, but has been of the
road for nine years and was resurrected
this season with splendid success. The
entire performance last night pleased
The specialties were the best presented
by any Of the Hoyt shows here this sea-
son The songs were very pleasing and
the choruses particularly good. The
lantern chorus was beautiful speciality
and the male Quartette also made a hit
Next attraction viii be sorrows of Sa-
tan" under the management Of ". A.
Brady, the well known manager, who
among his many plays cut this season
also numbers way Down East"
Washington. Feb. zs-Orders were, IS
sued To-Day for the Third battalion of
the provisional regiment organized at
San Francisco 10 take passage on the
transport Indiana on the 5th inst for
Manila.
N>S