The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-03
AT THE PLAY LAST NIGHT.

One of the best companies that ever
played in Topeka was the Frawley stock
company at the Crawford last night.
The play was Secret Service" The
audience was small. The company was
not known to the theater- goers. Now
it is. The same company VIII play play
January 20, and packed house should
be the reward.
On the Pacific coast the name of
F'rawley Is an assurance that what Is
offered is good Now 1t is in Topeka
The company was the most evenly bal
anced of any seen here this season.
There were no great actors or act
resses in the cast. There was no glar-
ing headline with the name of a star.
Every member of the company, how
ever, handled his or her part in a per-
fectly satisfactory manner. That Is
saying a great deal. for such commenda-
panies of such well known players as
Stuart Robson, Charles B. Hanford and
others who have been here this season
The costumes were historically correct
and fresh and new. Each act was prop
erly staged with the scenery carried by
the company. The company, the play
the performance and all but the Cox
office receipts were good.
Benjamin Howard took the part Of
Captain Thorne," the part in which
william Gillette made such success in
this country and England. Mr.. Howard
is not supposed to be as good an actor
as Gillette. HTODdD1y nG 10 nONp U0L
he is certainly thoroughly capable of
playing the part of the secret service
officer in a manner which pleases Mr.
Gillette. One thing can always be
counted on, Mr.. Gillette sets standard
which all actors who assume the roles
he originates must come up to.
Mr. Howard, as the cool headed, slow
and deliberate secret service officer of
the United States government sent to
Richmond to acquire knowledge of the
confederate movements, leaves no one
chance to wish for Gillett. Mr.. Howard
was seen here year ago with the Neil
zen" and "Aristocracy." He is an actor
thoroughly capable of being al the head
OF so strong a stock company as the
F'raWley.
Phosos McAllister, who took the part
of Mrs. Varney," ought to be well
known to the older generation of the
ater goers for it was not many years
ago that she headed her own company
is termed heavy" plays. She had
part last night which gave her no
chance to show her entire ability but
which, nevertheless, required a com
petent person to handle. She made
much out of the character and display
ed in many trivial ways what a thor
ough actress she Is.
Blanche Douglass as Edith Varney"
was responsible for the excellent hand
ling of a difficult role. She was on the
stage much of the time and from the
lighter love making scenes to the emo
tional lines she did WELL Miss Doug
lass is a handsome woman and wore
several very becoming gowns
Lilly Brascomh as Caroline Nit
ford was in evidence much of the time
and had she not been able to put plenty
of spice and comedy into her part she
would certainly have been tiresome. But
she wasn't tiresome and that brands
her as a capable actress. Harrington
Reynolds carried the difficult and siren
uous role of Benton Arrelsford" in
manner which ranked him with Mr..
Howard. Christine Hill and Wallace
Show were excellent in the characters
Of the two negro servants.
The celebrated telegraph room scene
il - -s-.-Se-srate capitol brought sew
eral rounds of applause. Mr.. How