The Wichita daily eagle., 1901-03-20
A GREAT EVENT.


An unusual event was the appearance
of Bradys way Down East at the
/ Crawford theater last night It was one
( Of the greatest theatrical events of the
/ season. With three hundred additional
/ chairs, all the boxes taken and standing
room selling for all parts of the theater
an hour before the performance began,
will convey an idea Of the kind of busi-
ness done at the Crawford theater last
night The audience was one of the
most fashionable that mas been in the
house for months. Many people came in
from neighboring cities to see the play
and an excursion on me Frisco road
brought in three hundred and sixty-six
people TO see the show So the audience
was not lacking and under the enthus-
fasm of such a magnificent gathering the
performers were inspired to their best
efforts, so that the event proved a most
satisfactory one in every particular.
Theater goers were In no wise disap-
pointed with the cost Of the production.
Manager Martling had guaranteed a high
class performance and his promise was
many times redeemed.
This play is full of relishable fun as
well as the serious interest attendant
upon the pathetic story of the heroine.
It is a story graphically told, nationally
developed and with strong and thrilling
olimaxes. A young woman IS betrayed
by a mock marriage; her child is dead
and she finds refuge IN the home of an
honest New England farmer. Here she
gains new hope and strength and uncon-
sciOusly wins the love Of the farmer
son. He is TO have married his cousin
a favorite of his father, but as they do
not care FOR each other. the unhappy girl
who has been taken into the family circle
seems likely to find a husband and hap
piness, until the village gossip reveals
some justification, sets his foot down and
tu1ns the girl out Of the house on a win
teTs 1irit. into terrible snow storm
Before she goes. however, she denounces
the author of her wrongs who is courtlng
the very girl the old farmer is intent
upon marrying to his son.
This is the climax of the play and we
see the heroine rushing out into the
storm pursued by the son. The last act
brings the father to a full realization Of
the situation and the unhappy girl IS
transformed into happy bride, and her
enemy put out. This play is one great
touch Of nature and teaches a happy.
amusing and instructive lesson.
The scenery was fine. with neat stten-
tion Of detail Every scene has about
il strong realism. For instance the old
well in the first act. the glow Of the old
fashioned fire place. the fire IN the kitch-
en- stove, and the sensational snow storm
scene are points in their staging that
were noticeable features. The snow
storm was one Of tho most realistic
scenes ever presented on the Crawford
stage. It was the perfection Of the
stage managers art
The cast was strong and very evenly
balanced. In the first act as well as IN
the second the singing Of the mixed guar
tette. a farmer band quartette. was a
delightful feature. the singers were de- I
servedly encored fer some beautiful work (
The merry sleighing party with gladsome I
song. an incident ia the play is beautiful /
Is worked and reminded many q one Ia I
the audience of happy and almost for
gotten days II l0ng ago
The character of Anna Moore was very !
presented by Miss Bersl /
Hope. Miss Hope is almost ideal ir the |
role ard psved the role il very eflec-
tive and artistic manner. Their was jlst .
two shinss thas rnarred her alnaost per-
feet work in the par1- The 6rst was a
smile when responding 70 a cartain cau I
after q very t8uchinE scene which spoil
90 the effect of her artistic work la ths
previous scene and another was thst the
Young lady Unfortunately iaughed waen
being carrlei Into the sugar shed slp-
1sasly unconscious. Er that ItsIe
snl5te much * her best WORK was roarred
squire Bartlett dHeansfed The part = the
typical cid Sew Euslaua squire perfectly.
re - the best characters vas Joa1 Ere-
men as Hl Heller Als lauga win -
-ear5 f- p.eaks ll Wichita au1 Eis 1-
WORK VIII also he remembered 3fr.
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.nted g very strong c1aTacse- saar ag-
peaked % every one &iss Elhg - Kate
reWster was very caarzl4us a1d t1e
.haraefers ~ tha tawn c5rEtae.s aaz
.'re1 Sterling uere excegtssnallg w
aSen Ie entire eass aas e ana
-sse excellent sst-sfzett1n- SeEt ae
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