The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-04-03
Music and Drama
Coming Attractions for
Wichita Amusement. Lovers.
At the Crawford.

Mr. Erwin Blunkall and his company
open Monday at the Crawford opera
house with the great romantic comedy
'Shamus O'Brien," an original Irish play
exploiting many incidents of the English
| invasion of Ireland and the life of Shamus
O'Brien, that is well known to every son
of that Emerald Isle.
! The dramatist has carefully followed
his text, introducing natural well con-
| ceived situations, together with a his
torical background and a pictorial sur
rounding beautiful to conten plate. The
story is one of thrilling adventure APP
peals to the heart, tickles the ear and
| charms the eye. commanding the interest
and close attention of the audience
throughout the entire performance.
Mr.. Blunkalrs conception and perform
ance of Shamus is considered by critics
to be artistic and well studied, looking the
part of the bold and dashing Irishman.
strong and courageous, yet polished, ten
der and gentle.
| Miss Lyllian Atwood as Lady Donough-
more, is very attractive, playing the grac-
ious sweetheart and lady in a charming.
convincing manner that impresses and
fingers long in ones memory.
In the character Of Shade O'Finn, the
misery traitor, Mr.. Wallace Howe gives
a mastery performance.
The cast includes the entire company.
numbering fourteen people
The successful opera comedy, "A Night
| on Broadway in the second edition OF
which in inimitabe Murray and Mack
will appear at the Crawford Thursday,
! April eth. is not a one part play; neither
/ is it a mere excuse for a series of vaude-
Vile acts and few choruses. The piece
/ is the joint work Of Campbtll and Skin
ner and Morton Kerker, and it has
well defined plat and an excellent reason
for the many laughabe and amusing COM
plications. The reason is that is excites
laughter and is a cure for all ills, II
taken in time and in sufficiently large
doses. One does not have to be told 10
laugh. Ridicuously funny situations,
punuated by the wittiest of dialogue,
bring the most obstinate smiles to the
surface.
The comerdy tells a story of complica-
tons which are apparently serious to the
characters involved-a seriousness that
is an absurdity to the audience The
locale of the piece is in and around the
gay center of the Metropolis. The first
act shows Broadway irop 3ith street,
and AID street, and is a living picture OF
New York life in its gayest SETON The
second act is magnificent reproduc-
ton of Fleishman's Florist shop. one of
the famous show spots of the metropolis.
The elaborate detail of this set, which
ha choicest
speciment of the florists craft and which
serves as a glowing background to the
warmth and color of the handsome toll
cites of the women, has astounded the
most critical; in fact the scene as here
portrayed. is one of the rarest beauty.
and could only have been accomplished
as the result of much thought and lavish
outlay of money. For the last act the
noted "Claremont Cafe" on the River
side drive, is the picture which gives
the scenic artist unlimited scope, and he
has amply demonstrated that he was
equal to the occasion. Never before in
a musical comedy, has such a scenic
production been attempted with a road
show as the combination of magnificent
homes, historical interest and natural
scenic grandeur offered by the surround
ings of Reversible park. To the north, |
from the broad shady porches Of delight
full "Claremont'' one has an unobstruct-
ed view of the beautiful Hudson river, |
with its majestic sweep of placid water,
dotted here and there with pleasure crafts |
of all description. framed in by the still
more famous Palisades, while in the dim
prospective rises the foot hills of the
Catskill mountains.
The Northland singer, Mr.. Ben Hen
bricks. the celebrated Swedish comedian
and singer comes to the Crawford. His !
manager. Mr. Sidney r. Ellis. has this
season provided Mr.. Hendricks with a
brand new play "Erick of Sweden Mr..
Hendricks has one of those enjoyable !
types Of Swedish character to which he
is so peculiarly adapted. During the /
action of the play he viii sing six new
songs. Fair Land Of Sweden" phil /
opene." "Northland Lullaby Pass ii /
on That's my Friend" and "Scandi- /
navia' In his new play Erik Of Sweden
Mr.. Hendricks is said TO be meeting with
great success Mr. Hendricks who is a
graceful and talented actor and his songs /
charming as ballads are fun Of romance /
and pathos: they are a feature of the I
performance and each one is a hit. They /
are soft and sweet and full Of sympathy. !
BY happy utilization OF diversified talent !
he also combines droilery and dignity /
and makes the part OF Erik. the hero |
of 10 t,1- mic