The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-08
experimentation Lackaye in 1.-THE
Pitp-"Bird Center.''


Wilton Lackaye and a company Of 500
will be seen at the Metropolitan for
brief engagement of half a week be-
ginning tomorrow night, in William A.
Brady's fine production of 1.-THE Pit"
a dramatization of Frank Norris IA
nous novel. This play has wonder
long run in Chicago, with the original
cast and a. great company. The play is
O. powerful American industrial epic, a
vigorous and human tale of modern life
and love.
The progress Of Curtis Jadwin-the
picture of that supreme moment in the
things are not easily surpassed. From
the vast periphery of the world, the
golden tide of grain is whirled into the
fierce maelstrom of La Sale street,
whore at the central point stands Curtis
which every other character is made to
revolve. Masterful goodnatured, lucky,
daring, with little culture and no very
delicate sense Of honesty in the matter
Of deal, he is the. typical Chicago
quired by lea ps and bounds until, with
clear, far-seeing brain and Emitless con-
fidence in his own Judgment and good
fortune, he is able to I" swing corner
Every other character is accessory. Sam
Gretry, the broker; Landry Court, the
the Cresslers Old Hargus, the derelict-
a bit Of driftwood flung UP by the mael-
strom-these are some of the figures
drawn from life, that revolve and eddy
and swing about the great speculator-
himself caught and flung by the pit s
exchange, the grind: the clatter of the
street, the very beating of his heart and
the throbbing of his brain, echo but
the one refrain-"w heat-wheat-
intellectual creature Of moods, chasing
her own elusive personality in the pur-
suit Of self ~analysis, actress to her fin.
ger tips, sincere in her very insincerity
is one that all men will love, women
will discuss and remember. With Cor
do not quite believe-she forms q pic
ture apart from the others. wherein that
side of her character but slightly under,
stood by Jadwin, is given its opportuni
ty for q development that seems to lead
beyond even the swirling outreach of
without companions or sympathy. with
all the world at her beck, and yet with
no single thing that she can hold to hel
heart and call her own, the broadcast
sympathy goes out to Laura Jadwir
and one is ready to forgive her every
thing.
The two hundred and fiftieth per
Torrance Of the play will be celebrated
here on Wednesday afternoon, when ar
appropriate souvenir of Mr.. Lackaye
will be given away.
Keen interest has been aroused ove1
the first production here Of "Bird Cen
ter" next Thursday night at the Met
ropolitan. Probably most newspaper
readers are familiar with the "Birt
Center" cartoons, which emanatet
from the pencil of that artist humor
list, John r. McCutcheon. Using these
inimitable character studies as the ba
sis, Glen Marlborough has evolved {
rural comedy that is described as {
distinct departure in the field Of tn,
bucolic drama. Most Of the incident
in the new play are Of a farcical ma
ture, as the Bird Center cartoons readi
ly lend themselves to comic use on thu
stage. But there is a subplot, will
genuine dramatic interest, and an Incl
dental love story. The central figure i!