Evening journal., 1901-01-08
AMONG THE PLAYERS

THE Old Homestead" the best of
rural dramas, and without doubt the
best beloved by theatre-goers through
out this broad land, comes to the Opera
House tonight. No play Of New Eng
land life has yet managed to capture
the hearts of city and country folk
alike, so effectually. Perhops it's in the
name so remindful of some spot dear
to everyone, picturing a lovely old
couple surrounded by happy young
faces, and warm-hearted, snOwy-haired
friends, with whom they have toiled
through life, and hope to spend their
last days. Perhaps one also remem-
bers how great trouble threatened to
send grandfather and grandmother
broken-hearted to their graves. and
how the silver lining shone through
the clouds before night. All have seen
human griefs and gladness, and IL isl
The Old Homestead" pictures that
bring up other pictures made holy by
association, and to laugh at the first is
an excuse TO mourn or rejoice with the
second. The story of THE Old Home
stead" is a. delightful picture Of rural
simplicity and the characters are lined
with the striking acuteness OF a sill
houette The announcement that Den
man Thompson will come with his own
company direct from New York, guar
antees an excellent performance.
Two men quarrel. Cause is OF no
consequence. They quarrel and one
kills the other. Now in the North the
man would be arrested, tried. convict
ed, sentenced, and that would end the
matter, but in the hills of North Caro-
lima the law is not so ready. The FAM
lily of the dead man. even to the most
remote cousin, vow to exterminate
every member of the family Of the
man who killed their relative. and that
a feud. In Hearts of the Blue
Ridge" a feud is the foundation upon
which the story ia built. and that IT. Is
interesting goes without saying Ha
Reid is the author, and he is an adept
n the art of exciting our sympathy and
snlisting our interest in the characters
and incidents he So vividly portrays
I'M this play he has shown even more
,han his usual cleverness in the con-
sistent blending of the intense dra-
matte interest with the delightful TO
nance and delicious natural humor Of
he locality. This attraction appears
u the Grand Opera House next Satur-
o
When "The Tyranny OF Tears"
which Charles Frohman offers at the
Grand Opera House on Thursday, ,Janu-
lry 10, was. first presented at the En-
,lre Theatre. New York, last season,
prominent critic Of that city said Il
vas the most artistic bit of refined fur
making on an ordinary domestic sub
ect that had ever been seen IN tina!
'ity. As the run progressed and
engthened into months, it became evi
lent that the author, Haddon Cham
lers, had, In addition to providing Z
most amusing play, given good ma.
uredly an interesting object lesson OF
he case with which married couple.
an cause serious trouble about mos
rival things by never viewing then
xcept from a selfish standpoint. He
howed. pleasantly and powerfully, tn
reat advantage Of a give and takt
,olicy between man and wife, and tn
nsigniflcance Of many things whicl
elhshness makes appear momentous
Che public liked the lesson, and 70
learly six months crowded The En-
ire nightly TO have it shown to them
dr. Chambers is one Of the f0remos
# the present day nglish dramatists
nd the company Mr.. F'rohman send
lere is one of the best of his excellent
nd multitudinous organizations.
Manager w. L. Dockstader, of Dock
/ tader's Theatre. presents again thi
week to his patrons an excellent bill
nd at both performances yesterda,
he house was crowded. Brown, Har
ison and Brown present an Orlgina
omedy act which brings down tn,
,ouse. The juggling Of the Orni fam.
/ ly is exceedingly clever; the Welct
3ros.'s knock-about turn receive.
much well-deserved applause. Emer
on and Omeago from the Keith cir
| uit; Miss Huffman, McCabe and En-
nett and Miss Phillips all contribute
| uuch to make up an excellent pro
/ ram.