The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-04-24
PRESS AaENT,s PRoM1sE.

$4,000
One of the great scenes. or to be
more precise, one of the scenes which
Rose Coghlan makes great by her
superb acting in "The Greatest Thing
In the World" occurs in the third act
In this De Mile play, Miss Coghlan
takes the part OF Virginia Bryant, a
fashionable society woman who is left
a widow with the care of her two sons
upon her. She fearfully watches for
an indication of an inherited desire for
drink. An awful answer to her search
comes at an evening reception in her
nome Her eldest son, in whom she
mas seen early and conclusive signs of
the disease, bequeathed by his father
becomes partially and afterward wholly
intoxicated. Quickly, to attract her
guests attention from his condition
she laughs and talks trivially and clev-
erly. The boys degradation does not
end here He raises a check of his
brother. minor, easing his conscience
by telling himself that il is all in the
family. In that he reckons without
thelr scotch guardian, a hard and
strict man, whose offer of matriuonv
has been refused by their mother. This
makes him no kinder to the boy and he
threatens to openly expose him. The
mother.s love sees way to prevent
N'SAA bAAlo-oit OlAelS nerSelI 10 the
ScOtchman as q price for the incrin-
mating check. The son, hidden, has
heard his mothers offer and her en-
beavers to reconcile his sweetheart to
him. During this latter conversation
he comes from his conceaIment but is
silently rebuked by the girls departure
from the room without speaking to him
Ihen the magnificent quality of Rose
Coghlan's art is manifested. In reso-
mann tones 70 he %
her boy all she has done for him and
now he has repaid her; of his weakness
10 his hereditary fault: of his caves
dropping and silent witness of her
offer 10 sacrifice herself. In a torrent
OF words which Rose Coghlan's eIocu--
ton makes into scorpion stings she ac-
cuses him of his forgery and his in
ability TO deny it or defend himself
Then comes a splendid transition. The
poys only answer. the only words he
can speak are prayer to her 10 help
him, to save him. The crouching
weeping figure of her boy sweeps all
her Indignation from her like chaff be-
fore the wind and the infinite tender
ness OF a mothers love wells up and
dominates her every other emotion.
Miss COghlan's cast has been care
fully selected by Jules hurry and her
performance OF Virginia Bryant is said
10 surpaSS in all points her beautiful
poetlcal Interpretation of her charac-
terizatiOn in Ulysses" as well as her
rendition Of the part of Paula Tan
queTay. in which she appeared last sea-
son. The play itself may be classed as
a problem play" but the authors have
saved 1t from all gruesOmeness and
presented their subject in a cheerful
and engrossing environment. It is a
play which never becomes tedious and
rises often 20 remarkable climatic in
.tensity. Miss Coghlan viii appear at
the Salt Lake theatre on Thursday and
Friday evenings.
The Elleford Stock company. which
seems TO be winning popular favor
with the patrons of the Grand by the
good performances they are Offering,
viii cOmmehce their fourth week to-
morrow night. presenting two highly
successful plays. new 10 this city. but
which have gained much renOwn in all
the larger eastern cities as well as in
London. where they both had long and
prosperous runs. The first half of the
week viii be devoted TO the strong
dramatic play Mans Enemy a story
Of London life. that brings out the full
force Of the company. Mans Enemy"
is play that appeals to all that is
best in human nature. The story is
clean, wholesome and Ineligible and
Of convincing strength The cha
acters are not Pigments of the authors
imaginative brain. but are taken from
real life. In this strong realistic drama
is found a story of love, hate, injustice
and retribution. The play engages the
sympathies for the sufferings visited
on an unfortunate whose weakness is
drink. who tries TO reform and fails,
the temptations proving too strong,
Mans Enemy ever controlling his
better nature. The dark side of this
powerful story is well balanced by
humor. adroitly introduced and made
a necessary element Of the action of
the play. The plot is clear concise and
easily followed, while the thrilling sit
lIations and strong climaXes hold the
unhagging attention of the audience
from beginning TO end. Mans Enemy
will be followed by the popular society
comedy drama. "a Woman's Sacrifice"
which plays the last half Of the week.
There viii be a bargain matinee on
Wednesday and Saturday afternoon.