The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-14
BIG HIT AT MANKATO
"The Viking" Fairly Took the
Town by Storm.
A SMOOTH PERFORMANCE GIVEN
4 Crowded House Will Greet the
Roosevelt Players in Minneap-
oils Tomorrow Night.

Left Ericsson and his crew of hardy Nors-
men came to life Saturday, and, being
transported from their native heath on
second visit to America, discovered Man
kato, MINI.
There are others who have claimed that
distinction aforetime, but now, as of old,
there seems to have been the same curl
Gus confusion of dates which for several
centuries withheld from Left the honor of
world. However that may be, Mr.. Eric
son, otherwise known as Billy Morse,
and his good men and true, as repre-
scented by the Roosevelt club Of Minneapo
lis, came. saw and conquered the bustliAg
city on the Minnesota. So complete was
the conquest that before the evening was
done quit claim deed to the town would
have been theirs for the asking.
The initial performance of the viking"
at Mankato Saturday evening was an I'M
qualified success. The play for which
Minneapolis waits mpatiently was put on
before as fine an audience as ever gath
cred in the Mankato operahouse. 1t went
with a snap and go from the time the
curtain was rung up until the final drop.
Not funny situation, not a line of the
bright, witty dialogue escaped the audi
| ence, which showed its appreciation by
frequent and enthusiastic applause.
The presence of Theodore st ensland, Jr.,
| of Chicago. author of the play, gave an
added interest to the first night. Mr..
Stensland's~ entrance to his box. from
which he was most interested special or
| OF the performance, was the signal for a
rousing demonstration, it having been
noised abroad that the author, actor and
| dramatist,' - would witness the first west
ern production of work which has fairly
| launched him along the path to fame.
| NJ nd ho
from time to time and said things to the
| principals and the ensemble in the way OF
suggestions, which will make the viking
a thoroughly smoothgilded vehicle when
it opens at the Lyceum theater for a three
nights engagement tomorrow evening.
The honors were quite evenly divided,
and it would be difficult to say who made
the hit of the performance. To begin
with there were several hits and they
were so evenly distributed that they ran
neck and neck for first place.
! The audience really did not warm up
until the Florodora octet made it's appear
ance. The antics of the young men in
skirts set the onlookers in an uproar, and
from then on there was hand for every
body.
Not a man dropped his lines or paused
for the want of something to say. The
songs were all given with a zest which
ger, the musical director. Every one was
in good voice and made the most of his
part.
The stage settings were very satisfac-
tory and the hundred members of the
company in their vari-colored costumes
with every move picture presented a
| constantly shifting scene of such infinite
variety as to command the closest interest
throughout. 1t reflected the months of
| M inc IA ri whit oh fhao 1,,b
has gone through in order to acquit itself
co creditably. Thanks are largely due tc
| Ernest Holconlb, the dancing Instructor
who has coached the club in all it's dances
and stage movements for the success of
! the production in that which pleases the
| eye. ..-.
Facing an audience had an electrifying
erect upon the talented young men who
have been rehearsing to empty benches at
the Lyceum during the past week and they
went through their parts and read their
lines like old hands at the business. The
calcium lights were used very effectively
and did much to enhance the brilliancy Of
the spectacle. s-st s-..., ..- .....,
Paul Higbee and c. S. Alberts did a lit
tie stunt in the front of the house that
was not down on the boards. They Sc
cured large bundles of bills Of the play
and gave an imitation of call-boy hust
'Progroms, programs, complete souve
Mrs of the play" they called, in quite the
accepted way, in varying cadences, ant
with such telling effect that in a short
J time they had sold out their entire stool
I in trade.
Impressario George Belden divided hi
time between the box Office and the off
cial box.
!; The club gave spectacular stree
; parade upon it's arrival in Mankato late
in the afternoon, headed by snare drum
which Tom Ingersoll, advance agent AM
great sachem in the Indian chorus ant
war dance, had thoughtfully drummed III
before the club struck town. Il
Conspicuous in the audience were Clar
ence Saulspaugh, late Minneapolis baseball
magnate, and l.. P Hunt, of the Mankat
Review. At one point in the funny bust
ness Mr. Saulspaugh's risibilities got sue
control of him that he almost went int
Mysteries.
special train conveyed the club to an
from Mankato over the Omaha road, tn
return being made immediat ely after tn
! performance. az
The "Viking's' first night in Minneapo
lis tomorrow will pack the Lyceum
|