The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-25
cool PLAYS WELL PLAYED.
Topeka Theatre Goers Delighted With
Modjeska's Reappearance.

Those who saw Nine AIodjeska and
her company at either Of the perform
ances at the Crawford Saturday saw
what might be called, but is not dubbed
with that cheap theatrical phrase, an
all star cast
Besides Nine. Modjesha. Miss Tyler
and Mr. MacEean, the audience discover
tary testimonials of cures by B. B. B.
Call on Swift & Holiday.
ed in Barry tombstone, Max Won Mitzels
Kate Hassett and Mrs Henry Wander
hon actors who shared the honors with
the stars. In MARY Stuart" the mat
fnee performance, Miss Hassett and Mr..
Won -A1itzel distinguished themselves and
in King John" Mr. Johnston and Mrs
Nanderhoff had opportunities. which
were not overlooked, to display their tall
ents- Those VINO have seen Mime. Mod
jeska III the zenith of her success. can
see that while time has not robbed the
great Polish actress OF her ability that
physical powers. The change is par
ticuiarly- noticeable in her voice But
once. when Queen Elizabeth let forth
her anger and hate upon the head OF
Mary Stuart in the park of Fotherin-
gay, did Nine. MOdJeska display the
strength and power Of voice she once
possessed In the quieter scenes OF an
gulsh and contempt the character IN
her hands does not suffer. While she is
not what she was when she demanded
the attention Of theatre goers twenty
five years ago, she is still a. great actress
and time has E fter all dealt kindly with
her She is nearly 60 years old.
Miss Odette Tyler and r. d. AIacI.ean,
without Nine. Modjesxa, could fill the
houses but with the name Of ModJeska
at the top and such artists as Miss
Tyler and Mr.. MacLean, Messrs- Wag-
enals and Kemper have a list of names
which can not but demand the attention
of the lovers Of Shakespeare
As Elizabeth, Queen Of England" IN
Smart aSG0ff
played wonderful ability in emotional
roles. In the park scene with Mary,
Queen of Scots" she shared the honors
with MOd1eska in the stormy scene be
tween the two queens. In the scene
where Elizabeth alone in her apart
ments, decides to sign the death war
rant OF Mary Stuart Miss Hassett
was awarded enough applause to bring
a star before the curtain Mr. Won
Afitzel in the heroic role Of Sir Edward
Mortimer" was as effervescent a hero
as could be asked for and he received
his share Of the plauditS- When he slew
himself the act was so terribly realistic
that scores of women in the audience
let forth a frightened exclamation Of
oh and one woman nearly tainted.
She did not cutie faint but she col
lapsed IN her seat and those around her
kept her from falling to the floor. tt
required all her nerve to turn around
and almost see the blood gushing from
the dagger wound.
Mr.. MacLeans role, the Earl Of Lei
cester,' the cunning rogue making love
TO both queens, was of course admirably
handled but did not give Mr.. MaeLean
the opportunity that the part of king
john does. The last scene, in the castle
at Fotheringay when Mary Stuart IS
to be led forth to the block, is where
Nine. Modjeska holds the audience in
rapt attention and the fearful scene.
where she parts for the last time with
her faithful attendants and friends. as
the neadsman with the axe passes
through and awaits her coming OUTSIDE
the room, is so realistic that it sends
the cold shivers through the audience.
When Mary Stuart" unattended by
even a Sister Of Mercy, follows the cruci-
fix in the hands of the priest, past the
guards and out of the castle to the
block the audience is hustled except for
the women who sob, and when the last
curtain strikes the floor it breaks upon
the stiffness as the headsman'S axe
would fall upon the block
1t was a disappointment to the au-
dience. which occupied every seat 10
see King John" that Miss Tyler was
III and that the part Of Prince Arthur
was taken by ner understudy- Miss
Louise Gale. Miss Gale did we'll indeed
for an understudy and the fact that she
is a Council Grove girl added to the
interest, but the audience was especially
anxious, perhaps, to see the charming
Miss Tyler who became such a decided
favorite in Topeka two seasons ago
when she, with Mr.. MacLean, her hus-
band, and Mr.. t'harleS EaEIOrQ appear
ed for a three days engagement in
Shakespearear PLAYS. king john, the
deceitful and crafty monarch who turn.
ed upon his friends and foes alike, was
all that the audience expected in the
hands Of Mr.. MacLean. The heaviness of
the character is we'll suited to Mr.. Mac
Lean, much better than the lighter part
Of 1.-THE Earl If Leicester" in Mary
Stuart" The death scene of the VIII
famous monarch was realistic even to
the death rattle One who distinguished
himself partiou larly was Barry john
stone as Phillip Faulconbridge-" His
grim hunor and jests as well as the
more zcathing lines placed him in the
list for honors. Mrs. Henry Vanderhof
as Queen Eieancr'' displayed in the
nnirutest detail. of her acting a thorough
understanding Of the part.
Nine. Modjeska, as Lady Constance"
driven to sheer desperation and mad
ness on account ef the plot against her
son. prince Arthur by King john
made the sorrow of the part felt by
every one in the audience, and could the
audience have showered upon her any
sympathy it would have been real
The scenery and costumes in both
MARY Stuart ard king John" are
perfect in every detail and in the latter
admit Of more color and variety than
~, fhe former Roth at the matinee and