The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09
MISS CROSMAN HERE.
Her Appearance Was a Pro-
nOunced Success.

No wonder that Miss Henrietta Cros-
man became a full hedged star in New
York in a night All she needed was
the role that suited her, that can be
readily understood now that her per-
fOrmances of ''Philippa Drayton" at the
Crawford in THE Sword of the King"
has been seen. She wouldn't have be-
come a star in the role of Mary Queen
of Scots" nor as La TOSca- Miss
Crosman does not shine particularly
bright in the more strenuous scenes but
she won her audience last night when
the womanly naivete of the character OF
the fighting female swashbuckler was
displayed.
The Sword of the King" is a ro-
mantle drama, which comes dangerous
~ near being a tragedy, but which IS
by the superb acting of Miss Crosman-
The herOics are really but stepping
stones to comedy and the sword fights
forerunners of humOr, Miss Crosman,
as Philippa, is the daughter of Sir
Michael DraytOn, a follower Of the
Prince of Orange, who has small force
of men he might send into the field if
he had a leader for them. He is too
aged to command. Philippa, dressed as
a boy, takes the command, saves the
life of the prince and then a few coun
ter plots result. The comedy arises from
the fact that Philippe. is taken by the
soldiers and courtiers to be a boy. There
is nothing new in that stage scheme.
The innovation comes in the manner in
which Miss Cr0Sman handles the part.
Try as she may Philippa IS womanly
woman who can sustain the bragga-
dOciO of a fighting man. but temporarily
without the relief of tears or conf
dences. The play IS not particularly
strong from dramatic standpoint, but
whether it be or not is immaterial so
long as Miss Crosman finds it so con-
venient a vehicle for her abilities
In the role of Philippe Miss Crosman
is but continuing, another play, practi-
cally the same character with which
she made her instantaneous success,
Nell Gwynne In both roles she dons
the garb of a man and is ready for
combat with swords at the drop of the
hat.
when Miss Crosman was in Topeka
three years ago she played with Charles
Dickson in comedy called Mistakes
Will Happen There is no change in
her acting and no noticea bic increase to
her capabilities. She was the competent
actress then that she is now; but at
that time she was simply leading woman
in 2 commonplace company. Then she
was "discovered' by the public. Her
success. like many others. waited only
for the discovery, which in her case was
made
The supporting company was fair. and
Hubert Bosworth was capital Ned
Roysten," the hero-lover of .PhilipDa. "
The role of French follower of the
prince taken by Henry Bergman, was
broguish Frenchman. The three acts
and the prologue were particularly well
staged every bit of furniture being
carried by the company.
As "PhiliDDa' Miss Crosman, who is
really Mrs. Maurice Campbell. looked
not to be one day over twenty. Her
hair. and her own hair it is, was as
blonde as the hair of the blondest snake
charmer that ever awed the public Mrs
Campbell must be forty-mighty near it.
ANYWAY She has boy who is at
tending a military school somewhere in
the east. But what difference does sc
make on the stage with Lillian Russell.
the perennial and Isodore Rush and a
few more who have been under go
for the last fifteen years? If Miss Cros-
man were younger she might not be so
perfect an actress
Miss Crosman and her company are
on the way to Denver. One stop at
Wichita. tonight, and then the Colora do
capital The company viii be there for
a summer engagement, and viii open