The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-10
Music and Drama
Coming Attractions for
Wichita Amusement Lovers.
At the Crawford.

"
offer what has been spoken OF elsewhere
as the most attractive of his stellar ca.
reer IL is also spoken of as a good Illus
tration of his endeavors as a manager ir
| so far as it is an example as to how he
is willing TO sink all desire for stellar
brilliancy when it seems to endanger the
ensemble of the play presented. 1t is
said that in this dramatization of his
popular book, Mr.. Hackett urged the au-
thor not to attempt 10 make the part OF
Stephen Brice assume more prominence
than it has in the original story, but to
preserve all the characters with the same
relative prominence as in the published
work. The result of this seems TO have
been something far superior to the ordin-
airy book plan and incidentally to have
placed Mr.. Hackett in a position TO show
his ability for quiet, intense but self-re-
strained acting which none of his roles
gave promise of. AS the coll-headed north
erner, opposed 10 the impetuous fiery
southern people whom he loved, but not
their opinions, he is credited with dig
nifty and repose which years off Prisoner
of enda, >" Rupert of HentZau, and Don
Caesar" would not have suggested. In
Philadelphia, New York, Buffalo and Bos-
ton he was given great praise for this
phase of his work and the play was spok-
en- of as a good all-round piece of dra-
matte writing Although the love story
only and its attendant circumstances Oft
a private nature have been used for the
play, all the historical personages and
events are kept so cleverly in the back
ground that the auditor is constantly eX-
periencing their influence. 1t is not a
war play in the usual acceptance of the
term. Its section is in the time of the
civil war. and during the premonitor''
rumblings but rather its effects upon
private life than anything national or
military which are used 10 make the play
effective 1t is the love story of the book
which Is made the main theme of the play
and of course, the characters of the old
southern Colonel Carvel, the bruff but
loyal Judge Whipple, and the bevy of
pretty but rebellius southern girls of the
book are retained to assist in the court
ship of Stephen Brice. the descendant OF
the Puritans, and Virginia Carvel, who
sprang from the early Cavaliers. The
entire company and elaborate mountings
are the same as were seen during its pro-
duction for a few weeks at the end of last
season, when it's worth was first proven,
and the decision rendered which caused
Mr. Hackett to make it his sole vehicle
for the present season. Sale of seats for
the engagement will open at Howe's jew
elry store on Wednesday, May 9th
Mary Shaw appeared at the Davidson
April 1916 in Isbens Ghosts before good
houses. The performance was the per-
lection of dramatic art and Miss Shaw
superb portrayal of Mrs. Alving was ably
seconded by Frederick Lewis as Oswald
Alving, Maurice Wilkinson as Pastor
Manders, Virginia Kline as Regina, and
Charles A. Gay as Jacob EngstranG. Miss
Shaw and her company created a pro-
found impression in this play. Nothing
finer has been seen in Milwaukee. Mil
waukee correspondent New York Dramat-
ic Mirror May .. Miss Shaw is booked
for an early appearance at the Crawford
and will be the closing event of the
dramatic season.
"The Sword of the King" which was
presented at the Crawford last night for
the first time in Wichita, by Henrietta
Crosman and her admirable companq, Is
an exceptionally interesting drama, and
met with the expectations of the many
theatre-goers of Wichita. who have
waited long for her appearance. The
play itself does not differ from many
other dramas, but when portrayed by
Miss Crossman. in her wonderful way.
and her fine supporting company. it ap-
pears vastly different 1t gives Miss
Crossman ample opportunity to display
her striking talent and she is almost con-
stantly before the audience. a fact which
was not at all displeasing.
The time and place of The Sword Of
the King latter part of the seven
teenth century in England. 1t was 4
period Of the picturesque in personal at
tire and the dress of the time is faith
fully portrayed both in Miss CroSsman's
beautiful gowns and the costumes of all
the players All the scenery and the
costumes which were used last night were
those which were especially made for
Miss Crisman's cnga cement al the Grand
opera house in Chicago. Their artistic
excellence and harmony Of color. were
greatly admired and aroused much fiat
tering comment
The time Of the play was one Of advent
ures and OF daring undertakings. but
comedy plays al important part. The
action moves quickly. the episodes are
effectively developed. and the situations
well worked ont. The scenes and time
lend themselves 10 the picturesque and
striking in stage effects and opportunity
which has been taken advantage Of in the
mounting Of The Sword Of the King g"
There are many striking and original
situations. In one scene Miss Crossman
as PhiTlina Draytoa. 20 save Ned Roys-
ton from persuers draGs him al her bed
room window and hides him in her own
bed The pursuers enter the apartment
and search II. but by clever exhibition Of
womsns Wit Phnlipa prevents them from
discovering the identity 81 the person who
is behind the bed curtains. There arr
periods Of adventures, OF pathos. OF anger
and most OF all. comedy. The Sword of
as presented by Miss Crosman.
Miss Crosman's support was good with
out exception. ASIDE from Miss CroSsna n
the very best work was done BY William
Herbert as Simon Emmett The part
va ss very sman one. but in MIR Her
hert's hands II stood out distinctly Herb
ert BoSworth. leading man 20 Miss Cross
msn. brought 20 his role convincing work
and the face and form Of q lover as laid
down in the rules and regulations Of the
romanttc. The Preach comedy part, in