The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-22
GILMORE'S PLAY.
Romantic Young Actor to Create
Captain DebOnnaire. "
Dramatised From William Far
quhar PaysOn's Story.
WTNSWAGER AND BRIDE
Dashing Lover Risks Two ThOus-
and Crowns on COurtship.
MustMarry Original Of Miniature
to Win.
WINSWAGER AND BRIDE

Paul Gilmore, the young and tai
ented star who has principally essayed
romantic roles and who appeared IN
Topeka recently in 1.-THE Mummy and
the Humming Bird" will have the
real and crucial test of his ability
next season when he appears in his
new play Captain Debonnaire."
Gilmore has been on the stage
good many years but in all that time
he has never presented a new play
in which he has had an opportunity
to display his creative ability and
genius. In Captain Debonnaire" he
has found that opportunity. He has
achieved considerable success in pre-
senting such plays as THE Three
Guardsmen, Under the Red Robe,
"The Tyranny of Tears" and others,
but in each instance he has followed
in the footsteps of some other actor.
For instance in 1.-THE Three Guards
men" Gilmore followed the 1tallan
actor SalVini In Under the Red
Robe he followed F'aversham and
Morris, and later in the two society
plays, "The Tyranny Of Tears" and
''The Mummy and the Humming
Bird" he has followed in the path of
Sir Charles Wyndham, who originally
produced both plays in London, and
John Drew who gave both the pieces
their New York presentation Gil
more has played both the pieces in all
the other cities of the United States
where they have been seen
GiImore's New Play.
The coming season, however, Gil
more will create the role Of Captain
Louis lie Debonnaire, the figure about
whom William Farquhar Payson wove
one Of the most intensely interesting
stories Of the time shortly after Amer
lea was discovered, and just prior to
the Revolutionary war. when the
British soldiers laughed and made
merry at the forts in Canada and New
England, and while New York was
yet New Amsterdam settled by the
Dutch.
In the story. Louise lie Debonnaire is
the assumed name Of Chevalier Louis
de Cadillac. captain in the regiment of
Carignan-S alieres, stationed at Quebec,
Canada, and a distant cousin of the
then king Of France. It deals with an es-
Sapade OF love, about which the plot
hangs and the story is woven. The
cOgnOmen lie Debonnaire" had been
given the young gallant by his cornpan-
Ions and associates among the officers
OF the army stationed at Quebec, on ac-
count OF his entirely care-fFee and nom
Chalant manner and his absolutely
winning way, to whose wish and will
every one bowed and whose every whim
and fancy was calamity and pleasantly
tolerated.
Synopsis OF the Play.
The first act of the play will open
showing the dining room in the house
Of the governor OF Canada upon the oc-
cas5on Of q big dinner he is giving to
the officers of the army stationed at
Quebec.
After a time spent in badinage some
one offers a toast. ITO those fair ladies
we have left behind the governor says
gentlemen to those who watt
All fill their glasses and drink. save
Debonnaire. He is at once asked why
he refuses to drink the toast
our name, n'sieur le captaine," the
governor says, would be more fitting
If it were F'riar DebOnnaire.''
The object of the remarks rises and
absently crosses the room to the deep
seated window. He looks out at the
river, a long stretch of silver under the
tranquil moon, at the lights of the
ships, and the lanterns in the streets.
apparently lost in a reverie. He finally
turns from the window and when he
speaks his voice is low. Here is one of
the strong passages of the play.
Yes" he says, "friar I NAV be in
the end. When court and camp begin
to pail, what better than a monastery?
IT'S fitting antechamber to the court !
Of death. You sit there, and await
your presentation; you learn the WAYS
OF that brilliant society into which you
are TO soon make your debut-the So /
ciety of Charlemagne, St Louis. /
Jeanne dare, and his majesty of Ma |