The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-05
FEELS THE GRIP.
Crawford Management Cancels
the clergyman" Performance.
Intended to Play Opposition
House at st. Joe.
TAKEN TO WASHBURN.
VIII Be Given as Benefit for
Athletic Association.
Manager Says 1t Can Be Put on
Washburn Stage.

"Everyman,' the fifteenth century
morality play, recently revived by the
Elizabethan society, and produced at
the Oxford university stage, will be
given at the Washburn college chapel
on Wednesday evening, December Z, by
the R. E. Mangus company of 16 pro-
fessional players, as a benefit for the
Washburn College Athletic association,
which is in debt about $500 on the foot
ball season
"Everyman' was originally booked to
play at the Crawford theater, but it
was summarily Cancelled on Saturday
by the Crawford Amusement syndi-
cate. The details of the affair is an
example of the high-handed methods of
the theatrical syndicate which has a
grasp upon the theatrical situation in
Topeka.
The date for "Everyman" at the
Crawford theater in Topeka was can
celled because the company had an en-,
gagement at a rival opera house at ST.
Joseph, Mo.
When the "Everyman'' contracts for
the Topeka engagement were sent to
Crawford for signature, a rubber stamp
was used on the contract which was
returned which left the following state
ment: THE terms of this contract are
accepted on the condition that this at
traction agrees not to play in oppoSi-
ton to the Crawford at Wichita; Oliver
at Lincoln, Neb.; Crawford at Leaven-
worth, Kan; or the Lyceum at ST. JOS
eph, Mo-
Overlooking the conditions imposed
by the Crawford syndicate, the mana
ger of "Everyman' arranged TO appear
in st. Joseph under the auspices of a
church society. When the advance rep
resentative reached Topeka Saturday
he found that none of his poster paper
had been put UP, and the attraction was
cancelled at the Crawford theater in
Topeka.
It is by such methods that the theat-
rical syndicate coerces. any company to
play all the houses on the circuit or
else stay off, and it is one of the rea-
sons Topeka gets SO few first-claSS at
fractions.
Upon finding the Crawford theater
closed to him, the manager of Every
man" made arrangements to have 1t
produced at the chapel at Washburn
college. Although it will be the first
time in the history of the college that
professional actors have held forth on
the college stage, the character of the
play is such that it was decided by
Final arrangements were made by
President PlasS by telephone on Sat
urday night during the progress of the
football spread" at the Washburn law
school, and a few minutes later, Presi-
dent Plass announced to the 200 stu,
dents assembled in the large hall of the
law school that the play would be
given.
"Everyman'' was written to teach
people some of the religious doctrines
of the early English church, and marks
what was really the origin Of the Eng
lish drama. 1t was played before the
time of Shakespeare, and was the fore
runner of the brilliant dramas of the
Elizabethan era.
The manager of the show made
measurements of the Washburn stage,
and found that it was large enough to
accommodate the scenery of the pro-
duction. Next Friday and Saturday
nights and Saturday afternoon, the
show will be given at the Central High
school I'M Kansas City, and it has been
given at many colleges and universe
ties throughout the country.
R. E. Mangus, under whose direction
the piece is produced, was for a long
time one of the leading men in Richard
Mansfield's company. At the time he
undertook the production of Every
man" he was in Mrs. Minnie Madden
F'iSke's company. His manager says he
has surrounded himself with a COM
petent company and success has at
tended the tour from the start. Press
notices of the play have been flatter-
ing.
Reserved seats will be on sale to-
morrow (Tuesday) morning at STAINS
fields drug store and at the Washburn
college book store.