Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-16

meteoric tour of the "all star Romeo
and Juliet company headed by Eleanor
Robson. IL Is this company as Salt
Lakers are aware, that Ada Dryer
Russell is associated with, and 1t was
TO meet her, as well as to see the big
stellar aggregation, that Gov Wells
and wife remained over in ST. Louis
The governor himself Is an old time
Thespian and a worshper of Shake
speare, and few critics are better able
than he TO record judgment on the mer-
its or dement's of Shakesperlan pre-
sentatlon Asked as to how he regard
ed the "all star" production, he said;
1T was interesting, Of course, and
from the staging standpoint, wonder
full, think | never saw a production
in which greater attention was paid to
small details, For instance in the quar-
rel scene between the Montagues and
the Capulets, there must have been
hundred people on the stage, and the
scenery and costumes were Of the most
gorgeous order To me, however. the
individual achievements of the actors
were disappointing. Miss Robson Is
very sweet in her style, but her Juliet
Is not to be mentioned with Julia Mar
loves. Mr.. Bellew is no doubt classical
Romeo but Romeo rendered with Eng
llsh accent and mannerlsms-alm0st an
IrvingesQue style--a Romeo too, no
had expected great things from Eben
Plympton's Mercuto. Plympton you
know, was one Of Salt Lakes idols
quarter Of century ago, when he
played Lord Trayers to Efile Ellsler's
Hazel krke-but he has grown stout,
and his rendition OF the famous speech
es to me seemed to fall short The
lesser parts were IN strong hands, and
Mrs Russell, as Jullets mother, was
as good as the best Of them"
Regarding the financial part Of the
"all star" enterprise, Gov. Wells said
in st. Louis, the business was painfully
small. As Nance O'Neil held the night
dates at the principal theater the Ro-
meo and Juliet company had to give
their two ST Louis performances as
matlnees, and the attendance was sim
ply awful. II was reported that the
venture was behind $4,000 up to date,
but the New York engagement, 1t was
hoped, would put them even.
Nance o'Nell was faring but little
better al night and she and
Mckee Rankin had decided to
accept summer engagement in
San Francisco when Miss O'Neil
would make decided departure
for her, and essay the role of Juliet
She told Gov. Wells that she had never
yet played the part, but that she looked
forward to the experience with antci-
pations of the most genuine pleasure,
The Warde company will open their
third week at the Grand on Monday
when they will present East Lynne
for the entire week
This will be quite a departure from
the style Of plays they have been offer
ing, but inasmuCh as the company Is
composed Of experienced actors there Is
no doubt the performances will be high
ly enjoyable.
East Lynne Is one OF those excep-
tional plays that never fails TO appeal
TO all classes and In some respects Is
the most popular drama ever written,
The novel Of East Lynne" was writ
ten by Mrs Henry Wood about 1858,
and met with immediate success, The
book had little or no literary merit, but
the story was so full Of human interest
that It won popular approval at ITS first
appearance.
The first dramatizatlon was made by
Clifton Tayleure, In 1865, and had It's
first presentation on any stage at the
Boston Museum, which historic old play
house is, by the way 70 be torn down
this summer to make way for a large
business building.
Many actors who appeared in the
original casts Of East Lynne after
ward came into prominence.
The original Lady Isabelle Of the
Boston Museum cast was Miss Kate
Denim, who married John Wilson. who
was also In the cast playing Archibald
Carlyle. In later years Miss Denim be-
came famous as Kate Denim Wilson.
In 1866 East Lynne" was next pro-
duced at the Continental Theater, Bos-
ton with Lucille Western in the lead
Ing role, supported By Mr., w. J. lie
Moyne as Lord Mount Severn and Bar
ton llill as Sir Francis Levison. Again
the play was given in 1863, with Mrs d.
~ Bowers as Lady Isabelle and Mr..
Chas Thorne as Archibald Carlyle.
AZ the Grand next week Mr. Herman
VIII play Sir Francis Leyison. a char.
tcter he has appeared In many times
during his stock days. Mr. John Tyrei
Is cast for Archibald Carlyle. and Lady
isabelle viii be In the competent keep
ing Of Miss Anna Roberts.
A new acquisition to this already
strong organization is Miss Leila Davis,
VINO win assume the dfiicult role Of Cor
nelia Carlyle, Miss Davis Is a Salt Lake
girl who went into the profession about
hye years ago
Not since John T. Raymonds embodi.
ment OF Col. Sellers, has there been a
more perfect transfer of a humorous
character from a book 10 the stage
than Is the David Harum which Mr..
William H. Crane has been presenting
throughout the past three years. and IN
which he is 10 be seen at the salt Lake
Theater next Thursday, Friday and
saturday nights and at a Saturday
matinee.
The play In which the character Is
seq Vs. as every one knows. a drama.
ulation OF Westcotts book and IN Il.
sen Is vastly interesting. but It Is ia
me visible reproduction Of the vulgar
oia horse-trading banker Of an upstate
village with the small wart on his ,acs
and the large heart in hls breast. with
whom, as described IN Mr.. Westcott
book, millions have made themselves
acquainted that the comedy scores
the strongest Mr. Cranes makeup
alone Is genuine artistic achievement
The clean-shaven, red face the red and
gray hair that lf1ves the crown OF the
head bare the th'fk nose. the small
threwd eyes the heavy square jaw. the
nnie 10 0s.., l.