Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-06
AfnuSetnentS
Al the boyd.

I4lmdlh IL . -. 49,
rice ~Thompson's story of the revolution,
Alice of Old Vincennes." The cast:
Alice ROussillon ...........M Miss COghlan
Nanette st. Pierre. Madge Douglas
Jane Bartlette ........ Beatrice roster
Nine. Roussillon. ............ Julia Williams
Colonel Hamilton. Frazier
John Fitzhugh Beverly......... Sidney irving
Father .Joseph CusaSh
Uncle JaZon.. ;;...''''"''''' atrvi NGertGn
Captain Farnsworth..... Joseph GIeworth
Lieutenant Barlow. ..... William F. Haddock
Captain Holm. Nlllam Brutnmei
Sergeant. Richard F. sullivan
Dle"
"Alice OF Old V%incennes' isn't much bet
ter a play than 1t was a story; and, unfor-
tunately, II isn't much of a story. even as
stories go nowadays. But the swarm OF
stories that came up from the pool OF pa
trlotic tradition has had it's vogue and the
play is following in the path of the novel.
1t is having its vogue, and these yogues In
literature are very much like whooping
cough among the children--they must have
their run. 1t does seem a pity that a young
woman Of the undoubted capabilities of Miss
Coghlan should be compelled to waste her
efforts In prating fustian about politics and
patriotism. One thing in favor of the pres
ent offender is that the p~latitudinous
bpttOhto IL AAN oHN va N1 ~
much thanks. One act of the play. the
second, bubbles with delightful humor, girl
ish fun and quiet sarcasm, so that from
end to end It is full of laughter. 1t closes
with a melodramatic climax, though. and
this very nearly spoils the effect Of the
clever work that precedes it. The open
ing act is a synopsis of the book. leading
up to the central events Of the story. and
the closing acts are little more than bum
combe. Situation is piled on situation with
out regard for logical sequence, merely to
make the play move, and it would be a
wonder IL 1t didn't go, for the procession
OF climaxes comes so fast that the action
of the piece fairly scurries to get them
all of.
Miss Coghlan is seen to a much better
advantage as Alice than as Becky Sharp:
and this is not intended 20 disparage her
excellent presentation Of the Thackerav
heroine (for, after all, Becky is the real
heroine OF Vanity Fair"). She is much
better suited by nature to portray the
character of a young girl. full of life. cour-
age and high resolve, and yet a girl. with
all a girls notions of romance and the
like. Alice betrays Just a trife too much
sophistication for one whose life has been
spent in Old Vincennes. but this may be
poA uohchf 40 ~ 10 NoothNldl " Aut uuSl II
wits between her and Colonel Hamilton.
Miss Coghlan's sweet, clear voice, mobile
face and evident appreciation of a funny
situation, mark her as one who will be
heard from in comedy at a future date
when "the romantic" shall have given way
to a more legitimate method of entertain
ing people at the theater. Her mock trag-
edy in the second act. when she shows the
pie, is one of the best bits Of comedy that
has been seen here in a long time.
The supporting company is quite capable.
Miss Douglas and Miss Foster are both
very good as the girl companions of Alice.
The Madame Rousillon Of Miss Williams is
an excellent bit of character portrayal and
Mr. Frazier's Colonel Hamilton is we'll acted.
The applause won was we'll merited. A
matinee today and evening performance
close the engagement.