Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-19
AfnuSefnents


- AhN Dosas
The Climbers. . a modern play in four
acts by Clyde Fitch. Produced .cr tAe
first time I'm Omaha Thursday night by
Amelia BlngEam's company. The cast:
lschard Sterling. .Charles Kent
edward .Warden...............James Carew
Frederick Ma10n.............Bennett Sturgts
Johnny Trotter. red w. Peters
Godesby .fletcher Norton
Richard Sterling, jr.. Master Harry Wright
Mrs. Hunter. ........... Marguerite St. John
Mrs. Sterling, nee Blanche Hunter......
Jennie A. Eustace
Jesstca Hunter. Elizabeth Barry
cara tunter hlarlan berS
Miss INSTRUMENTATION Winthrop
ME- s SStpTS n E Ma aasn SSt 20
Clyde Fitch always writes interesting
plays. They may not be especially at
t~ractive or original in theme, but Mr.. Fitch
has the faculty Of always being able to
create enough Of the %suspensive interest
so much sought for by playwrights In gem
erai and so seldom attained as TO hold the
interest Of the spectator from the rise Of
the curtain on the first act to its Anal fall
In the last. The Climbers is an inter-
esting play and more than that IL Is a
pleasing one as well. II was generally be-
lleved that Mr.. Fitch would never write a
play equalling THE Moth and the Flame
for dramatic effect, but in the new play he
has in many ways surpassed his effort in
this popular piece. The Climbers" is
made out OF much the same material as
THE Moth and the Flame" but 1t has
been given vastly different treatment. The
thread OF love has been drawn SO deftly
through 1t that one hardly realizes that II
is there until the play is we'll along into
the third act. At first the commotlor
seems to be all about the death Of q
wealthy Wall street broker and his family
affairs, then 1t branches into stocks and
bonds and finally into love. Many OF the
scenes are not only original in conception
but unique In their treatment, as, for in
stance, the final one in the second act
which is played in almost total darkness
The wretched husband. an embezzler. 6
thief, has not the courage, even wheT
forced to tell his wife OF his guilt, to do 81
in the light, but asks to be allowed to dC
so in the dark, that she may not look upoI
his guilty face. He is granted this con
cession and after the confession tries vainll
to escape. This is only one Of the severa
scenes which possess exceptional strength
the full value Of which are brought out b,
the excellent company in whose hands tb'
play has been entrusted. The part OF Mrs
Sterling, played by Amelia Bingham In tn,
original New York production, is capital!
done by Jennie A. Eustace, an actress wht
possesses emotional ability Of a high ordei
and whose work is delightful in its natural
ness. Charles Kent offers a well-drawI
character Of a Wall street Spectator Il
the part OF Richard Sterling. His per
formance is especially praiseworthy for tn
attention given to minute details whici
adds much to the effectiveness Of the char
acter. James Carew Is a handsome, mani!
Edward Warden and a forceful actor a
we'll. The balance OF the characters are
with but a single exception, well cast an
the result is a praiseworthy performance
Of a play we'll worth the evening spent Il
its enjoyment. The engagement continue
tonight, closing with matinee and evening
performance Saturday.