The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-06

Morrison's satan holds equal rank at
home and abroad for his demonstra ton
of the attributes popularly believed to
belong to that malevolent creation of
Goethe, Mephistopheles. The splendor
of this seasons new production win
bear comparison with that of s1rving's
for scenic beauty and in one respect far
surpasSeS that famous productiOn-the
electrical effects. Our British cousins
are slow to absorb American ideas ana
as consequence many of the first class
theaters of Great Britain are not nearly
so well equipped electrically as those OF
Uncle Samuers theaters in cities of
much less population. This being so,
much of the effect of the Broken, gar
den and apotheosis was understandable in
Irving's production owing to the Door
quality of the fame fire, cloud, light
ming and general electric effects which
are a prominent and surprising feature
of Lewis Morrison's production. Exelu-
SiVe of the above mentioned scenes some
dazzling effects are gained in the new
prologue, which has succession of
superb cloud effects to which the Vari
colored lights and one pure white ray
centered on the heavenly gates add il
an unmistakable degree.
Gertrude Coghlan will be seen at the
Crawford on Friday in Alice of Old
liVncennes," dramatizatiOn by Edward
E. Rose, founded upon Maurice Thomp-
sons picturesque and romantic story of
love, war and patriotism. 1t is nelo-
dramatic at times. the story is brisk,
and runs easily and smoothly. The love
interest is always predominant and the
play is interspersed throughout with
bright and wholesome comedy. The pro-
duction is one of the most costly ever
put upon the stage. The scenery by
Ernest Gross and costumes by Dazian
will be a revelation to theater goers.
The first scene opens in the frontier
settlement that is now the city of Vim
cennes. The house of +'Gaspard Rousfl-
lon" is shown and this is the home of
Alice" whom he had adopted. At the
opening of the play the Inhabitants of
Vincennes have learned for the first
time that the war of independence is
going on beyond the mountains to the
east, and that France has given reco=-
milton to the American colonies. and
throw their lot with Washington, and =
meeting of the townspeopIe is called at
the fort.
Alice" and her two girl friends know
of this They also know of the new flag
(which has only just been adopted by the
colonies, and they have ne&rly finished
one which, as the townspeople declare
for freedom. she unfurls over the fort.
A short time before Alice had met
Captain Beverly of the Continental
army, while on a visit to Fort sVenango.
While she was there. he LEFT on an ex-
| petition of danger to rescue some peo-
pie who had been taken caStive by the
Indians, and as he rode away she threw
to him the rose that she had been wear
ing Her abrupt departure for homo
prevented her from seeing Beverly" OF
| of learning the outcome of the ex9edi-
ton. In the meantime communications
between General Clarke in the north
west and the Virginian government
| have been broken, and Beverly has
volunteered to go ard find General
| Clarke
He comes disguised as a peddler, but
alice" recognizes him. as does alse
Father Beret." who had met him a one
of the Ohio missions The father takes
him to his house. The British advance
closes in on Vincennes, and the town is
taken Alice saves her flag by &
clever strategy, and protects Beverly By
/ telling Colonel Hamilton, who com
mands the British that he is real.
what he appears to be-a oeddler. III
In act ,, the progressed the love story