Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-01-27

| Feb. 2-Rlchard Ill.
Dolly Warden described as a
Dresden china comic opera" with
Lulu CHASER in the title role. pleased
a capacity house AT the Illinois last
evening. In il an effort has been made
by the authors. STANCE ana Edwards.
to get away from the modern style of
musical comedy and the result is a
work. dignified, tuneful and dainty.
Miss CHASER. with her infectious little
giggle, which was simply irresistible.
stepped into the hearts Of her audi
tors the moment she made her APP
! paarance on the stage. and she kept
them in Il remarkably good humOr
throughout the play through the evil
dent. enjoyment of her part. which
! gives her ample opportunity to dis
| play her talents as a cOmedienne. The
company was Il capable one and the
! period Of the play. which is supposed
to be about 1870. makes it possible to
mount the play beautifully and also to
display some very pretty costumes.
| The story tells If the adventures of
! Dolly Warden. Il young country girl
who has been brought to London for
! the first time by her guardian. John
| Fairfax (John Dunsmore). but who
keeps her secluded so that he can
force her into an unwilling marriage
with himself. While taking her daily
walk in her sedan chair, she drops a
| letter to Capt. BelleviIle Harry Cir
ardj. who is dismissed by her guard
ian, but who meets her secretly. and
by outwitting the old gentleman fl
nally wins her. The unconscious mis-
takes which Dolly makes while in pu-
lite society Tor the first time were de-
| li@htful. y minor comedy part was
well taken by Lord Gayspark (W. H.
FitzgeralD. who finally loses his in
tended. Letitia Fairfax (Eunice Drake)
because Of the charms of Capt. Har-
court (HarOld BIake). Several mem
bers Of the company were suffering
from colds, but taken altogether the
production was one of the best seen
here for some time.
Hanrord In Richard III.
Charles t. Hanford. who appears
here Tuesday Of next week. has long
expressed Il desire to present Rich
ard III" on the same scale IF scenic
man%nificence as has characterized
other Shakespearean revivals in which
he has participated. So thorough and
elaborate have been his preparations
for Il realization of his ambition. that
they have extended far beyond the
limits of the summer interim i'm the
atrical affairs which is usually SUI
ficient for the most elaborate pro-
auctions. Only the latter portion of
Mr.. HanfOrd's season will be devoted
to Richard Ill" The production has
scored Il success which fully compen-
safes the producer for the care and
effort which he has bestowed upon il.
The reports which precede the com
pany are such as to leave no doubt
of the brilliancy of Mr.. Hanford's sue
cess. or the Justice of exceptional
claims made by the management on
behalf of the supporting company. the
scenery and the cOstuming. Mr.. Han
ford will present the traditional Colley
Cibber version of the play, which pre-
serves all the ringing speeches and
stirring climaXes which We're sane
toned by the great tragedians of by
gone generations. Mr.. Hartford al
though one of the most modern of
The visibility and intellectually of the
classic stage in a manner which COM
pels the auditor to go back many
years to find a subject of comparison.
The sincerity of his art is beyond
question. but it is art without ped
antry. as those who have seen his
dashingly humorous portrayal of
'Petruchio" in THE Tanning of the
Shrew" or of "Benedick" in Much
Ado About Nothing" viii testify. Miss
Marie Drofnah. whose charming work
of last season made her favorite with
an assured welcome awaiting her. re-
mains with the company. and the sup
porting company has been organized
with the especial view of securing an
efficient cast for this production.
Little Christian" Saturday.
Local theatregoers will have an OPP
portunity TO see the beautiful play
The Little Christian" Saturday. matt
nee and night. The public care more
about play and the acting than about
scenery and costumes. The Little
Christian" is an ideal play. Its lines
are clean cut and incisive, and it Is a
well constructed piece of work. 1t is
brimful of situations. surprises and
quick action. truly an ideal play.
Run On the Bank
"a Run on the Bank will occupy
the stage Of the Illinois Sunday. This
bright farce comedy viii be presented
by large company of comedians and
pretty girls headed by those two clever