The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-05

in Topeka from theatrical standpoint
or course the most important feature
of the week was Mrs. Minnie Maddern-
F'islre's appearance in Becky Sharp.
One can not help admiring this dainty
little American actress who has display
ed such wonderful nerve Standing as
she does in the very front rank Of her
profession. She has refused to surrender
her art to the dictates of powerful,
wealthy and relentless combination of
managers, knowing that she would suf-
fer financial loss IN consequence. One
after another the stars were gathered
in, but Mrs. Fiske stamped her pretty
foot, snapped her finger in their faces
ana told them to let her alone. They
didn't do il and have since made things
rather uncomfortable for her, but she
continues on the even tenor of her way
uncOmplainingly Her manager asked
for date in Kansas City this season.
1t was refused because the Kansas City
managers were afraid of the syndicate
and so Mrs. F'iske went around Kansas
City. That is why Topeka got her and
Kansas City didn't.
What a finished piece of work is her
Becky Sharp! Gould anyone portray
Thackeray's famous character half so
well2 Mrs F'islSe is always womanly-
She never oversteps the boundaries and
one sees in her the living embodiment If
Becky Sharp and her associates. 1t is
as il the book had become endowed with
life and, as the pages are turned before
our eyes, there appear the moving be-
ings Of whom we have before only been
granted brief mental pictures.
Then there was Robert Downing. who
is growing fat as he grows older. He
still wears the same bland like express
sion, has the same meIlifuous voice
which argues that he might be a sue
cess in light opera. He always has seem
ed a trif1e out of place as a tragedian
and at last he says he is going to try
comedy The transition from Ingomar to
modern comedy is not great and perhaps
Mr.. Downing will be a success, but those
who have seen Louis James .WalloWing
around in comedy roles will have little
hope for Mr. DOWning-stiH the leap
VIII not be such a long one. Mr.. Down.
ing was not seen to an advantage in To-
peka this season because the Grand
Opera House where he appeared was so
cold and the people were wondering
continually whether he would not be
frozen into an icicle at any moment.
His leading lady, Miss Alberta Converse,
gives promise of a brilliant future TT
some one will take her by the hand or
hair and drag her out of the so-called
romantic drama she may be heard
from. She is pretty and shows a keen
conception of her lines.
The second appearance of Eugene
Blair in Topeka in "A Lady of Quality
was not the success it should have been.
The other attractions received the lions
share but, nevertheless, Miss Blair is
= 1850 49, S~1CA-Al1eA w l4ud11S Is al
excellent piece Of work and to those who
did not see Julia Arthur in the part Miss
Blair is an excellent substitute.
1.-THE Christian" came to Topeka for
the first time last night. To be sue
Miss Viola Allen was not here-not even
Effie EllSler, but some effort was ex-
pended in securing the cast and the
production was as a whole satisfactory.
The company is one of the largest that
has been here this season and had it not
been for the fact that the play was
booked for the same night as Mrs
Fiske the audience would have been
large.