The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-08
THEATRICAL.
Uncle Toms Cabin.

Uncle Toms Cabin.
"rncle Toms Cabin was presented
Saturday afternoon and night at the Ly-
ceum before large audiences that gave
ample evidence of the way they enjoyed
Mr.. Martins gorgeous production of the
old classic. A party of the newspaper
men who are doing the strike commission
saw the performance Saturday night and
were SO pleased that they decided to write
Il composite criticism of It, Each man
taking the character that impressed him
most. Here's their say:
Albert Strassman, New York Journal
And Topsy! that tobasco sauce to the
Uncle Tomian oyster-how can ] pay Ut
homage to this ebullient, spontaneous
roistering athletic, impish and altogether
Jack the -boN-y child of nature as in
terpreted by Miss Florence Ockerman?
Miss Ockerman has caught the true spirit
of Harriet BecCher Stoves fuvorite char-
acter. Between the outbursts Of almost
animal-likc primitivencss there are subtle
touches of the higher nature that makes
all the world kin. III revealing both
sides OF Topsys nature Miss Ockerman
displays u remarkable sympathy with
the feelings of the gifted authoress. The
hoyden nature of the neglected, friendicss
child OF the plantation is shown without
| coarseness or buffoonery. The whole
characterization is complete. natural and
without atfectation.'
John ii. Reitnger, Associated Press
Little Eva, Il character almost too sweet
and sanity for this world, was portrayed
by Baby Henrietta with such fervor and
realism that it is no wonder it touched
the strong heart of many of those in the
audience. The very essence OF innocencc
l., herself, the little tot. with her beauti-
tu features and golden curls, added
much to the sweet character of Eva. Not
|
faltcred in her acting. If her reading
from the Good Book to Uncle Tom and
her intense interest III the old servant as
he sung
''If I'd wings of the morning. III fly away
to Kingdoms Shore.
Bright angels come and carry my soul
to the New Jerusalem"
was beautiful, then her acting as she lay
on the bed ready to enter the Celestial
City recitng the words of the Good Shep-
herd, Suffer little children to come unto
me- was heavenly"
p. S. Fidsdale. New York Herald-"The
hero and comedian combined was played
by modest Mr., Pistol by kind permission
| of Smith " Wesson. In every scene he
had the star part. he was always in front,
he polied the villain in the solar pleXus
he tackled Marks in the short ribs, he
made the bold Iegrce dance on his toes
and howl in iicndiSh fear ana finally be-
ing Il discriminating cradicator of all
that is vila!nous and eager for the
thanks and applause of the audience he
deity slaughtered all the bad people
and retired modestly. \ Tom show with
out Mr.. Pistol would have no show at ALL
LeGree would continue to beat all the nice
good slaves, George Harris would have
been captured, Eliza would have been II
slave again, George Shelby would have
been kicked, Marks would have been
torn piecemeal, the bloodhound would
have rcckcd in gore.''
c. S. Brnndebury, Publishers Press
The character of George Harris was
modelled ON the lines of intellectual as
well as sentimental force Roylston' $
chala ctcriZdtion WAS camCo-likc. strong
and replcte in psychic force The fire
and stress OF his scene with Haley and
Marks was produced with absolute sin.
cerity and with Il charm Of action
which held the audience Spcllbound.
Roylstons work shows that he has care
fully winnowed the truc dramatic wheat
from the chan OF mcdiocrity. Further
remark would be but II repetition of what
has already been written True ability
rarely recognizes itself ana We feel as
sured that Roylston does not have II re-
ahZinS sense of the strength of his per-
formance."
Charles w. Norris. ChicaGo News
The part of Uncle Tom was never more
ably and intelligently portrayed. This
character is a very difficult one, and has
received many interpretations. but none
more perfect and ideal than that OF Sat
urday evening. Frank Leafs makeup az
typical old southern slave was per-
rect, and his dialect was all that could be
desired. The Difference, unctious polite
ness, and loyalty of the old household
save or the south We're never more faith
fullS reproduced. Uncle Toms love for
ana devotion to little Eva his prophecy
| OF her approaching DEATH and the touch
ing farewell mt her deathbed We're dra
Halcaily ana rathetically represented,
ana elected the applause OF the crowded
| mousse The scene at the slave market.
where Uncle Tom is sold to the cruel
! slave trader Legioe, was cspeciuIly
strong, and Mr.. Lea appears TO good ad-
vantage"
Ill. II. Peechin, Cincinnati I'ost-"Robert
| Brollier as George Shelby, a warm heart
| ed young man from New York, who has
been looking for Uncle Tom. to rescue
| him from the sad lot which befell the
| slave did line bit of work. NIr. Brol-
| lier has only n small part but he does
| wonders with it, His costume is that of
2 New York man OF fashion of 1873 and
! his high hat of the style of that period
| was distinctly a work of art"
Frederick Jones, New York Press
Hugh Ettingars characterization of ST.
| mon Legrec was SUPERB, The character
was handled Saturday evening with the
! t!nesse and stability of master When
| Simon thrust his knife in de heart of
81. Clair it was done with beautiful effect,
! Later when he reached his fourth vic
! tim. Uncle Tom, cracked him on the head
| and cNclamcd, Take him away ana feed
| him 10 the hogs" he reached Il climax
| that has hardly been euualled hY any of
his predecessors in the role. Simon was
entitled 10 more OF the spot light"
r. :. Duny Scranton Tnbune--"E,very
pretentious Uncle TOMS Cabin company
| OF late years has carried '2-AIurks--9,
and G-Bloodhounds--G' but in Martins
| gorgeous production quality and not
| quantity is the evident dcsideratun.
| George w. PARKS and one big, haudsome
bloodhound give as much satisfaction as
the usual TWO Marks ana six dogs"