The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-02-15
ADJUSTMENTS.

The engagement of "A Stranger in a
Strange Land started off at the Theatre
last night before an audience which we'll
filled the house, and one which represent
ed every class of amusement lovers. 1t
was wlthal d delighted audience; 1t held
its sides until they were sore and then
tried in vain TO stay the fits of laughter
produced by the ludicrouS scenes of this
great farce.
No higher recommendation is needed for
the piece than the statement that the
brilliant audience of last night threw it
SELF INTO parCXysns aS the endless chain
OF comicalttles was uncoiled. More praise
Is deserved, however. 1t can be truth
fully said that "a Stranger in a Strange
Land Is the peer Of any farce comedy of
recent creation In many respects it sur
passes What Happened TO Jones" 1t is
tdT ana away RUNNER production tnan
Why Smith Left Home" and it makes
certain other successes appear empty.
With such a unique plot to begin with,
IT would have been a great wonder had
the authors. Wilmer & Vincent failed to
turn out something superior. The sl<it
deals with the trials of a young man who,
Tor reasons. must represent to his aunt
upon returning home TO London, that he
has been running q cattle ranch in the
wilds of America, whereas, in fact, he
has been blowing her money in New
York The ranch is supposedly located
at Buffalo, \. \. TO make his story
credible he introduces an Indian, a friend
who consented to enact the part. A real
Indian is enGa ged for the same purpose
by the young mans uncle, his COnfeder-
ate, and eventually a third Indian appears
"A detective. The result may be
ina g1ned.
1t was expected by the audience that
the plot was not heavy enough to carry
out three acts, and it must be confessed
the first part is the most interesting. The
piece could be improved by abbreViating
the miX-uDs in the last act, by which
time the spectator himself is consider
ably confused.
The company is well balanced. It is
headed by William Friend. who has been
how haf
extremely well presented. Mr.. Drake, as
the uncle, while thoroughly enjoyable, is
inclined at times to make too much of his
part Joseph CUsack as Watson, the
butler, takes a big share of the hOnors
from others IN the cast, although the
support throughout is capable.
Miss Beatrice Norman. who also has
played here many times, Miss WilmOtt
and Miss Anderson, the principal ladies
OF the company fill all requirements in
The piece runs the remainder of the
week with a matinee tomorrow.
The Grand felt the heavy hand of com
petition last night for the first time dur
ing the week The house was not more
than half filed when the curtain went
up on The Blue and the Gray
Ralph +. Cummings yesterday secured
the western rights of Fraser's version of
The Little Minister and will send an
organization on the road with it. The
stock company also will use the play on
its Pacific coast tour The rights secured
by Mr.. Cummings are inclusive of all ter
ritory west of the Missouri river.
Following is the status of the fund for
the Ridges testimonial, which occurs next
Tuesday: Previously acknowledged, $3.50
lions Saving Bank & Trust company.
SlC0; Samuel II. Auerbach, $15: Total
Sl95. In all probability the Mutual I'M
proYement organizations of the city will
be dismissed Tuesday evening in honor Of
the occasion.
Mrs. Leslie Carter's business manager.
Charles Emerson Cook, arrived in Salt
Lake yesterday, and is stopping at the
Kenyon. Mr. Cook represented David
BelaseO and Mrs. Leslie Carter in Lon
don during the latters brilliant season
there as ZaZd last summer. and his COM
ing TO this city is in the interest of the
same attraction which is booked at the
Theatre for next Thursday and Friday
nights, with special holiday matinee on
Washington birthday
II was expected that Mrs. Carter would
play here three days instead of two. as
she was originally booked for that time
but Mr. Cook explains that it was consid-
cred necessary TO curtail the engagement
because, owing to the storms predicted
Tor the end of this month, it was feared
Mrs. Carter might not be able to reach
her next city. San Francisco in time to
MI her contract there for Monday. Feb .