The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-13

pany At that time she, with the rest
of her family, played in the company III
Kansas and neighboring states. Now
that she is a star that shines in tne
vicinity Of the Hudson river she will
refer to the states wherein she tri'
umphed a few years ago as the pro
vincial circuit Other people might also
add that besides this provincial circuit
the Spooners were mighty glad to play
the tank towns on the Macbeth pearl
topped chimney circuit at 10, 20 and 20
cents. The Soooners were among the
first -sone two. three companies to try
the repertoire business, week stands, at
popular prices. More than that. it was
the best company of the kind on the
road in the west. with only one close
competitor Corse Payton.
Now both the Spooners and the Pay
tons are we'll established in Brooklyn
With play houses and companies of their
own. But before they went there sue
cess was made in Kansas and the west
3. S. SDooner, the father, Mrs Spooner,
Cecil SDoOner and Edna May Spooner
were the members of the family in the
company Mr.. Spooner used to play the
role OF old Man Eccles" in 'Eccles'
Girls" While Edna May and Cecil were
the girls. They played such quiet.
simple dramas as His Little Sister,
with real stage threshing machine to
lerd reality to the farm scenes. Cecil
used to dance a sort of skirt and butter
fly affair combined, and she danced
quite well. She used to have her pic
lures taken and they We're sold just
like those of real live actresses who
Cecil was popular, and her pictures
were sought by-weu, the children
mostly. for she was strip of girl
then. and was the favorite of the little
folk who attended the plays.
The company was improved from time
to time, new scenery bought. new plays
added to the repertoire and the success
grew accordingly. The success of the
company was due to the efforts of
Father Spooner, who died a few years
ago Then Mrs. Spooner took the reins
OF management and handled them so
well that the girls rode into Brooklyn
on the strength of their success and
continued the success there. Mrs.
Spooner leased the Amphion theater. 1t
was bold business venture on the part
( of Mrs. SpcOner, but the venture was
successful All Brooklyn went to see.
Matinees without number. souvenirs,
afternoon receptions behind the scenes
and everything but quilting bees did the
! work
Then the girls wished to star. Edna
/ SpoOner is now at the BijOu at the head
of a stock company and this week is
/ playing Madam Sans Gene" At the
Amphion Cecil is riding onto the stage
in real live coach with a history and
after this week she will leave BROOKLYN
and take Lady Peggy" coach and all
! to a Broadway play house. Surely the
/ Spooners have risen. Risen from the
provincial circuit and the footlights
Of the pearl topped kind, to play houses
ard companies all their own at the other
end of the Brooklyn bridge
The New York Press in a short review
of the play The first night said:
"Befo-e aud ence lavish in its ap-
plause. Miss Cecil Spooner appeared in the
Amphion theater last night as a star in
I Frances Aymar Mathews play, My Lady
Peggy Goes to Town Judging from the
/ favor accorded to Miss Spooner her com
f7r- mill
4 when it is placed before them. The time
Is that of George Ill Lady Peggy loves
Sir Percy de Bohun. but sends him of
| to London because of some fancied griev-