Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-12-31

Jan. 2.-Lewis Morrison, in Faust"
Jan. 1.-The Wizard of o. return
engagement.
Jan. AT Valley Forge
Jan. 6.-Brooke's Band.
There is much that is amusing in
fThe Isle of Spice" and besides the
production in the form in which il
was presented here last night is pleas
ing to the eye. 1t is another of the
latter day so-called comic operas.
plotless and depending for its appeal
to public fancy upon pretty stage
pictures and couple of songs that
the boys in the top gallery go home
Whistling. The Isle of Spice" was
popularized by a long run at the La
Sale theatre. Chicago, during the
summer and fall, having closed there
a week ago to go on tour and make
way for another comic opera that the
management had ready for produc-
ton. Practically the same cast is in
the road organization as was seen in
the Chicago company. Dave Lewis,
as the king, is missing. and so is Les
lie Leigh, who made Peggy Brady"
one of the song hits of the season-
at any rate she did not appear last
evening. although her name was on
the bill. The opera caught on from
the start with the audience, which
was large. There were three curtain
calls after the close of the second
act, while it required more than
dozen encores for The Goo Goo Man"
to satisfy.
When an actress succeeds as a star,
the same is put down as a surprise.
The reason for this is likely. that so
many who try for the higher flight
fail and fall back 10 the dull theatri
cal earth. TO those who know of her
artistic abilities and delicate charm
of manner, Adelaide Thurston's steady
rise and substantial success as Il
star was no surprise. The surprise
would have been the other way, fail
IRE would have astOunded them. But
for an actress to succeed. she must
have good plays-and it is there that
Miss Thurston can thank her stars,
else her own dainty little star might
have twinkled but vainly. Now, it may
safely be called a fixed one-and alt
because of her fetching personality
and her good luck and good fortune
in securing plays which suit her and
incidently, the public. Polly Prim
rose" Miss ThurSton's new play for
this season. is said to be a delightful
comedy drama, and one in which she
Is provided with a role, that of Polly
of course. which fits her like the pro-
verbal glove or the paper on the
wall. Polly was Il staunch little south
ern girl of 81, with hoopskirts, of
course, and like most southern girls,
was charming to look upon, how
charming theatregOers here will have
a chance to discover at the Illinois
tomorrow afternoon and night.
THE Wizard of o." the gorgeous
extravaganza which plays a return
engagement here Sunday night, is
probably the finest spectacle ever
mounted upon the stage. There is
something in the new entertainment
to recommend it to pIaygoers of all
tastes and intellects besides mere
spectacular garnishment. There is
more originality and wholesome fun
in THE Wizard than in any of the
imported English eXtravaganzas or
musical comedies. The chief fun max
ers. the scarecrow and the tin wood |
man, go about their work in healthy |
eXuberant way that insures a jovial
evening.
AT Valley Forge" the new play
from the pen of William l.. Roberts,
in which the young romantic actor,
Maurice Freeman. is starring this
season. will be the offering here next
Monday. Mr.. Freeman is supported |
by strong company and carries |
complete scenic production.
Goethe's story of Faust" in itsl
dramatized form has been presented |
20 seasons of % weeks each, by Lewis |
Morrison, making he number of per-
formances Mr.. Morrison. has given |
of Mephisto slightly in excess of 81
600. The constant repetition of this
one part wearied the actor, and he |
determined two years ago to retire
to temporary rest to his California |
home. The retirement heightened to
two years and all efforts to obtain |
his return were unavailing. Appar- |
emily his climatic and social surround |
ings yielded sutficiency of pleasure |
and recreation. and having been for |
innate enough to acquire a comfort |
able fortune, he was content to leave
the Held to others, On a recent trip |
to New YORK, however. Jules hurry. |
his manager. offered strong induce |