Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-01-08
SHORT STAGE STORIES


1t was a miserably small audience
hat saw Robert Downing aud his
splendid company present Orchard.
re Lon Hearted. at H4rper's thea
re last night. There were scarcely
enough people in the house, it is safe
co venture. to pay the light and heat
ing expenses. The voices of the &C
tors echoed through the hall as
though it were empty. 1t is indeed a
ieplorable condition when an actor of
Mr.. D)wning's standing should visit
city like r rex Island, where he has
many admirers, and be suffered to
produce his play with barely hand
nj of auditors. But that is the
local theatrical situation. Ten-cent
sragedisns and comedi ans are what
she public has been taught to expect
IT Harper's theatre. Robert Do wning is
mt Of this class and few were there
60 greet him. Those who would ordi-
narily attend such an attraction
feared being deceived in the perform
tnce; for the other class the price was
TOO steep. Mr.. Downing gave
irst-class performance, in which he
vas assisted by company Of rare
merit. Despite the discouraging pro-
portions of the audience, the show
vas staged complete in every detail.
che costumes and special scenery
being features that were good for the
eyes to feast upon. Miss Alberta Con-
verse, young actress of mag
netic presence. was Princess Beren-
yaria. and Charles ID. Herman. a most
capable actor. was Friar Tuck
Others in the cast were: j. W. Down
ing as Hugh of Mowbray; Earl Ford.
Blondel; William Somers, William. of
the long sword; w L. Morton, Master
Ovens; George L. Haley. Gloucester;
Fred Edwards, Sir John; III. S. Thurs
ton, Raymond; Thomas Blake, Ken
drick; Charles Foster. senti mel; Sadie
Rheam. lady in waiting, Minnie Lind
lev, Rose de la Folk; Lillian Kings
burg. Lady Matilda Plantagenet.
\ very up. to.date and modern ver-
sion of flaming of the Shrew" is
what Mr.. Jerome has given US in the
sparkling comedy, ''Miss Hobbs,
which will be seen for the first time
here at the Burtis opera house tomor-
row evening. Without being :. prob
lem play, because it is too utterly
clean in word and action to be classed
among the decadent examples"
which are generally used to exploit an
idea, strong lesson is taught and it
is so very cleverly applied. The dia-
logue throughout is in Mr.. Jerome's
most characteristic vein. There is
continual sparkle of bright things. and
several of his epigrams will bear re-
peating.
The standard attraction, Uncle
Josh Spruceby." which comes to Har-
comedy of unusual merit. No doubt
it will be remembered from previous
visit here, when splendid impression
was made. New and handsome seen
cry is used and the saw mill scene is
given with more realism than ever.
The company is composed of 25 peo-
pie and is one of unusual merit. Inc
musical features include splendid
orchestra of - soloists. A unique
street parade is given at noon each
day by the big band. The concert by
the band on the street is very popu
lar and attracts large crowds. This
is the first season of this organization
at popular prices.
Charles Frohman's company in
1.-The Little Minister" has been one
of the most remarkable successes
known to the theatrical world. This
company will present the comedy
Thursday evening at the Burtis. The
novel had one of the largest sales of
any book ever published, aud in max
ing the dramatization of it. which
was done by j. M. Barrie, the author.
he has given to the stage one of the
greatest plays produced in many
years. Certainly no play presented
in the last century has achieved such
remarkable success as has 1.-The Lit