Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-01-29

The announcement that Pinero
play is to be presented invariab bly,
sets the critic as well as the public
on edge, for novelty and unusual clev-
erness. The famous playwright has
written but one comedy after having
done ''Trelawney of the Wells" Iris"
THE Second Mrs. Tanqueray," and
plays of the problem order, and his
comedy effort is said TO have result
ed in the best play of them all. THE
Gay Lord QueX," his only play of that
character, will be presented at the
Illinois tonight, with Miss Sylvia Lyn-
den as Sophy Fullgarney, the mani
curist. This play has to do princip-
ally with the manicurist and Lord
QueX, a man with much in his favor,
except extreme cleverness and good
looks. Quex has fallen in love with
Muriel Eden. Sophy Fullgarney's fos-
ter sister, and the first really pure
moments of his life come after the in
nocent young girl has entered it,
Sophy, who knows a good deal about
QueX, does everything in her power
to prevent the marriage, even going
so far as to spy upon him, in order to
secure evidence to present to Muriel
of his perfidy. She overhears him
making an appointment to meet the
Duchess of Strood in her apartments
at night, and spys at the keyhole. She
is here discovered by QueX, who offers
her money to hold her tongue, and
failing to buy her silence, he, in des-
peration locks her in the room in
order to scare her into keeping quiet.
At this point the third act. Il dialogue
of thirty minutes, ensues. which is
said to be the most amazing. the most
brilliant and the most original ever
written by Pinero. OF course the piece
ends satisfactorily. Miss Lynden has
surrounded herself with an exceed
ingly strong company, Brandon
Hurst, last season Mrs. Fishes lead
ing man, being her principal support,
Alden Bass. who has starred, in Sol
Smuth Russell roles. is in ting company,
also Mrs. Adele Clarke. Che original
"Topsy" and mother of Harry Corson
Clarke. Miss Ann Warrington. form
erly Rose COghlan's leading woman,
plays the Duchess of Strcod. while the
other members of the company were
recruited from among New York
players of reputation.
Mickey Finn the big musical
will be presented for the
first time in this city at the Illinois
tomorrow evening by a large COM
pany of artists headed by the favorite
Perry and Leonard. with
Eddie Russell as the bad boy Mickey. |
People who have grown tired of see
ing several competent actors and |
actresses held back to give room for
one star to-shine to the fullest advan-
tage will be glad to learn of the com
ing of the realistic comedy, Denver
Express" which will be the attrac-
ton at tlfe Ihnois Sunday. There
are no stars in the company. The |
play was not written for any actor
or for any school of critics. but for
the great mass of humanity which |
likes considerable excitement. great |
deal of fun and medium of pathos. |
tremendously blended together in Il
stage picture of real life.
Sheridan's famous comedy, THE |
Rivals" with its twenty-five years of !
uninterrupted popularity and success, |
as presented by the Jeffersons, is a !
monument to the clear-mindedness |
and pure-heartedness of the American |
theatregoer. 1t is the cleanest play |
ever produced. and there has never |
been question as to the enjoyment |
its audiences get from it. There is a
lesson in it for other managers and |
actors which they might profit by. As
given by Joseph Jefferson, Jr., and |
William w. Jefferson and their fine |
company. at the Illinois. Monday, Feb. |
2, local theatregoers will see what is |
best in high class comedy. in these
days of cheap theatrical organiza
tions. rare treat is promised, such
as "The Rivals" will be. and this OPP
portunity to see il should be taken |
by every theatregOer who appreciates
high ideals. The supporting company
includes Messrs. John Jack, Walter
Ware. Harry Oblin, and the Misses
FfoIliett Paget, Blanche Bender. Jes-
sic Sweet and others. all members of
the original Joseph jefferson COM
pany.
There are many novel and fascinat
ing features i'm the merry musical
comedy THE Prince of Pilsen." which
is making a short tour of the coun
try before fulfilling an extended en-
gagement in New York. When Frank
Pixley and Gustav Buders wrote this
work they builded better than they
have ever done before and this in
face of the fact that they are the
authors of some of the most popular
comic operas that have been produced
in many a long day. The mountings |
and costumes which are used in the
are wonderfully handsome
it is said and the fact that the |
piece has run i'm two cities for more /
than six months is proof positive that |
it is what the theatregoers want.
..The Prince of Pilsen" is to play an |
engagement Feb. al the Illinois.