Arizona republican., 1903-06-30

ADJUSTMENTS A
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THE OPENING OF THE CURTISs
 COMEDY co. AT THE PARE.

The Curtiss Comedy company opened
 up their summer engagement at the
 Park theater last evening to a large house. the bill being the ever popular
 "Fanchon, the Cricket" made famous by Maggie Mitchell and played at some | time or other by every female star of yepute in America. The name part served last evening to introduce to Phoenix Louise Perine Lucas, the lead ing lady of the organization. and it is safe to say that the part has never been more beautifully rendered. more thoughtfully and carefully treated
 since it's first production years ago. The | little lacy who last night thrilled her auditors at will, moved them to tears or fC-ced them tp laughter by her wide | ly differing flights of emotion. pathos or sprightliness. is a worthy represen- tative of an old theatrical family, her mother having played the same roie with eminent success in the seventies | and early eighties. and she herself first played the part of Fanchon at the age ! of l5 years. Mrs. Lucas brings into her work intelligence and spirit more than | the ordinary and does not make the fa | tai mistake of treating FanchOn flip panty. but going deep into the lnmOst soul of che part, brings forth to view all the emotions of the feminine heart | in turn. Whether it was as the hoy | denish Little Cricket of the first two acts. or the demure. subdued Fanchon | c: the third act. or as the tender. low | ing woman of the final scene, Mrs. Lu- cas had the sympathy and the love of | her audience constantly. There is no doubt of the success of the leading lady
 of the new Curtiss company.
 Wilfred Lucas. the leading man of
 the company took upon his shoulders
 the difficult role of Father Barbeaud,
 tha stern old father of the twins, Lam dry and Didier. MT. Lucas handled the
 part admirably, never leaving the
 character for an instant. Jos. Heath
 cote Thompson took the part of Didier Barbeaud, the silly twin brother, in
 very Nlever style, his facial expression
 being ludicrous in the extreme. Miss Cummings. as Mother Fadet, the witch, gave a strong portrayal of the grasp | ing Vindictive old shrew. Fred Will
 son. as Landry Barbeaud, made man. i ly lover. his fine figure and good voice
 adding much to his clever reading of ! the lines AIOnda Glendower was the Mother Barbeaud, making a strong
 contrast by her kindness oi heart to
 the old curmudgeon of a father Mig
 non Phelps. as Madelon, the village belle was pretty and winsome and girl ish Arthur Hill as Father Caillard, made much of d very small part. Ray mond Manion as Etienne, and Freder- | ick Starr as Martineau had little to do, | but did it well. The vaudeville part or the entertainment brought forth many | encores. The Keltons made pro- nounCed hit, not only as singers and l dancers. but as musical artists. They
 are a clever trio. MT. Wilfred Lucas gave ample proof of his ability to sing by rendering several difficult vocal
 numbers that were greatly enjoyed his "T0reador' song from Carmen
 being beautifully and eXpressiVely | done. Mir. Lucas has a fine baritone
 voice and shows careful training. Lit
 tie Evelyne Cummings did a neat turn that was more than pleasing. The or chestra under the direCti of Profess or
 Ed. Perrin was good. The company IS | a well balanced one and Manager Cur
 tiss has lived up to his promise in pro- viding a complete cast Of new faces | this year. From all indications the new
 company will be even more popular
 than last years, which is saying great deal.
 MT. Stechan and Manager Curtlss de-
 sire to express their thanks to the la
 dies of the Eastern Star, for their at
 tendance in a body last evening, their