The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-23
COMING DRAMATIC EVENTS.


THE Climbers win be presented at
the Crawford tonight. 1t Is direct from
its run Of 200 nights at the Bijou thea
tire. New York THE Climbers is a
TOUR act comedy, considered TO pc tne
most notable contribution made by MI.
Fitch TO the stage literature Of today.
He has treated half humorously, half
seriously, wholly realistically, a certain
phase Of everyday life in New York's
400 His chief characters have money
a fair amount Of passably blue blood,
a modest intellectual development and
consuming desire to become socially
prominent. Every character in the
play climbs for something. Mrs
Hunter and her youngest daughter for
social distinction; her son-in-law, Rich
ard Sterling, for wealth through Wall
street; and her daughter, Blanche Steri-
ing, for happiness and high ideals The
story is one Of sorrow, devotion and
temptation At the time of her father s
death Mrs. Sterling learns that her hus-
band Is concerned in dishonest money
dealings She makes heroic efforts to
save him, assisted by her aunt, Miss
Hunter Mr.. Mason, a friend Of the
family, and Edward Warden, her hus-
bands closest friend. Love develops
between Mrs. Sterling and the latter
but is mastered. Serious as is the
theme of the play. it contains many IL
Eliminating bits of comedy contributed
by three members of the frivolous CO.
terie into which Mrs. Hunter and her
youngest daughter are struggling for
admittance
The dressing of the women through
out the play is notable and the scenic
accessories convey the proper idea of
luxurious good taste.
There will be presented in THE
Climbers" a dramatic organization of
unusual strengthens names represent
lavish outlay in Salaries-and one
that in a single season has taken its
place quite at the head of the Metro
poltan companies The roles in Mr..
Fitch's play have been assigned to
actors Of tried ability. The cast has
been arranged as follows:
Richard Sterling, Charles Kent; Ed
ward Warden, James Carew; Frederick
Mason, Bennett Sturgis; Johnny TrOt-
ter, Frederick Peters; DR.. Steinart,
George Stevens; Godesby, Edmund Lis
ton, Ryder, George Kinard; servant
at the Hermitage, Charles Master;
Richard Sterling Jr., Harry Wright, Jr.;
Mrs. Hunter. Marguerite St John; Mrs.
Sterling, Jennie A. Eustace; Jessica
Hunter, Elizabeth Barry; Clara Hunter,
Marian Berg; Miss Hunter, Ethel Win
ithrOp; Miss Godesby, Marion Giroux;
Miss Sillerton, Maude Ream Slower;
Thompson, Lillian Wright; Marie,
Maize Oliver.
"A Dolls House." is which Clara
Thropp will be seen at the Crawford on
Friday, April Is, is by far the best eff
fort of Henrik Ibsen, the famous Scan
dinavian author. "A Dolls House" is
a.
the part essayed by Miss Thropp, is a
delightful contradiction, and her awak-
ening in the last act is like a burst of
sunshine to the beWildered students Of
her character. In the twinkling of an
eye herself-righteOus and honorable
husband stands before his wife de-
spised and dishOnored and she stands
justified It takes Ibsen only a few
words to portray the selfishness and
hypocrisy of the average man, and Miss
ThrOpp brings out the nature of this
with remarkable success. She is filed
with that stage buoyancy and grace
and her clever, dainty work appeals
strongly to those who appreciate true
art. Miss Thropp is supported by Mr..
James NoTval, Miss Lydia Dixon and a
clever company.
In the matter of trusts the theatre
has not escaped. The Theatrical Syn
dictate now has in its iron grasp the
majority of the theatres of this coun-
try and controls most of the stars
and dramatic attractions. AS is well
known, the object of this trust is not
to elevate the stage, but simply to
make money. Although offered many
inducements, the young actor manager
Mr.. Sanford Dodge, has declined them
all and prefers to retain his liberty TO
produce only the class of plays thar
develop dramatic are, and which are
an honor to the stage, rather than be-
come subseryient to an organiza ton
whose only motto is Dollars and
Cents" Mr.. Dodge will appear here
Saturday matinee and night in an elab-
crate production of the wonderful PLAYS
'Ingomar" for matinee and Three
MusketeersH for night
Aa a as