The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-13
MONTGOMERY THEATRE.
ssLost River" Scenic Success, But
 nramatic Failure Last Night.

"rost River' is the limit of sensationai drama As a scenic produeuon distinct Sei,rre and reflects no credit whatever upon its author. Joseph Arthur, who mas dole 'e'- The play is one that appeals to gallery audiences and the patrons Of the ea.e@Iles @ on hand last nSht i9 if fu ts voeferous sp plause meant anything, four uape t piyar fairly good voices who formed the Lost n1fev n1sv ouartette' made greater nit than '"o p'"' itself ,.,.s,or,.rv Theatre So,csayne ,SSe pastoral play were rudely shocked nv pistol shots stabbing ahrays hand-to- hand combats and a supreme shs .taae girl on his hack and a villain firing pistoi snots as the animal sped into the darkness ssr,,i Hh,s, tiss and wells of delight from an enthusiastic audience away up in the gallery: .,. .I.ost River," which Joseph Arthur dreamed was in Indiana, but 1t is about the nNeness article of rural drama hset eyer s,ssSing the here of the play, goes to Indiana to build an aque qs. duct He was engaged to wed a s MeS..ry 1,ort. ner Tn Indiana he loses his heart to rustic maiden who is loved by an insane toi'- '-sasn ts ,ssethar visits Indiana and finding her love for Blessing unrequited the wealthy giri iays a, plans to thwart the hopes Of Blessing anu r,, ms country sweetheart, thereby becoming pretty SirSs TSe psay-Eo is led through three hours of
  including numerous cl'maxes that are . ~. startling as they are improbable Tn tne s nrse act for example, Blessing, riding DlcyciiS ever a wild road at night is pursued oy blil Loucks. the crazy toll gate keeper. wno IS also represented second Jimmy Mlchael. Tine kseper of the toll-gate is close mp on Blessing and is about to strike hln 10 ueAth with an ugly knife when he Is shot oy the rustic sweetheart of Blessing, who Is some sort of a bloomer girl bicyclist herself.
 Something over twenty, persons are required e.i to produce Lost River and they are about equally divided between heroes and villains Paul Gilmore was the hero, Robert blessing His work was far ahead of the other Inaie members of the company that he showed 10 great advantage not Ilthstanding ne constantly Harry McRae Webster caught the spirit or a brother of a sister who is villatness, lie appeared to regret the anomalous position given him. but he improved his few oppor- tunities and should be in better company.
 While Edith Fassett was Ora, the country man. the artistic characteristic sketch Of Ada BoshelI stood out prominently above every thing else in Lost River" She played Grandma Gates and she perfection It is a difficult part but it has been completely mastered by woman who understands her business.
 The play was saved from being failure by its admirable stage pictures There are Tour acts and six scenes. The scenery used in the third act representing fields of ripentng wheat ticularly fire and the view of Lost River" was noteworthy.
 No matinee performance given yester' nay as was advertised. The company of play CTS which presented Lost River came to Montgomery from Atlanta a delayed train rnd did not reach here in time to go on for the matinec. large crowd was at the theatre Nhen the announcement was made.