Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-30
ODE Theatre.


The performances at the Illinois
Saturday afternoon and evening were
of the sort that Rock Island theatre
goers have been denied, unless they
chose TO go away from home, in re-
cent years, and were more in keep
ing with what they have a right to
expect in the future, now that they
nave a new play house toward secur-
ing which they contributed literally,
and which they are anxious TO sup
port with generous patronage provid-
ed they were not bamboozled with
transforming aggregations. The
Princess Chic" is a delightful operate
bit. IT has a dash and swing about
it that are at once captivating. keep
ing one in a musical mood from the
rise to the fall of the curtain on tie
last act. Marguereta Sylvia, in the
title role, is all that the character
calls for, having n pretty face and
figure, sweet voice. and a graceful
stage presence, and enters into the
spirit of the story with an enthusiasm
that seems TO keep those associated
with her always tuned to concert
pitch. Thomas {. Leary. as steward
TO the duke, was immense, his fun
making being a whole show in itself.
Others deserving of special mention
are ALBERT Wilke, as Charles the
Bold. duke of Burgundy; Frederick
Knights, as Francois, marquis of
Cllremont; Edward 5. Metcalf, as
Brevet; W. y. Lawrence, as Brabeau;
Neil Mcneil. steward to the princess;
Dorothy Hunting, page to the prin-
cess and Edna Floyd. daughter of the
dukes steward. The opera was mag
nificently staged. The audience was
large and unstinting in its applause,
the solo with male chorus. ''War is
Bountiful Jade" in the last act being
encored several times, as were the
four comedians, who did n clever
singing turn in this act.
The Illinois was filled again last
evening. when the attraction was "A
Homespun Heart" a pastoral drama
interpreted by competent company.
1t was the first time since the new
house was opened that opportunity
was afforded for a display of its own
scenery-"The Princess Chic" for in
stance, not using any house scenery
and the management did itself
proud, also showing off the electrical
effects to fine advantage. and withaI
giving to many their first peep nj the
modern equipment of the new
theatre.
Bleuer's band. which has been
holding forth Sundays 1T Harryr's
theatre, gave it's first concert i'm the
Illinois yesterday afternoon. and tho
result was an audience that filed
every seat. 1t was an appreoiative
one. too. and the band seemed to
even outshine former efforts in the
concert line, providing program par
excellence.
In view of the genuine satisfaction
the delightful presentation
of Princess Chic" at the Illinois Sat
urday there have been some express
sions of surprise among those still
unfamiliar with the circumstances
that this attraction rather than the
cheap performance of Are You
Mason?" was not selected as the
initial event. The situation. il may
be repeated, was one that involved
the acceptance of Are You Ma
SOM" or the alternative of the can
collation. of the Princess Chic" al |
ready booked for Saturday night, |
while to permit the house to be open |
ed by the play that was given the dis
tinction carried the assurance that |
the bookings for the remainder of |
the holidays were to he first-class i'm |
the engagement of Walker |
in Robert of Sicily" n |
play in which the clever young actor |
is making a decided hit this season, |
for New Years day being cited as
one of these. With this announce |
ment to the committee was also Civ |
en- the pledge on the part of Mr.. |
kindt that Are You Mason" |
would be presented by Frohman
and be first-class in every
on the truth of which asser-
ton Mr.. Johnston stated that he was
ready TO stake his professional repu-
tation. Upon the nature of coming
events will develop the extent to
which the part of good faith is to be
acted. regardless of who may be in
control of the new theatre.
Too much that is good cannot be
said for Mistress Nell" the charm
ing comedy that comes to the BGrtis
New Years afternoon and evening.
Plays that have achieved success
equal to that of Mistress Nell are
few. The triumph of the merry play
is one of absolute sensation and
NyouII NJ n ,rIanpe Seem almost inn
possible. Its success caused its au-
thor, George c. Hazelton. n lawyer
with a lucrative practice, to lay aside