The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-10-17
SIGN OF THE CROSS
{ AT THE GRAND
LAST NIGHT

LT1O t1NSu
The attraction al. the Grand Opera
House last night was s'EThe Sign of
fI-c Cross advertised as a religious
drama. .|T'he Sign of the Cross"
is the conception of that very clever
EngliShman (there have been clever
Erglishmen, don't You know Mr..
Wilson Barrett. AR. Barrett COM.
prised in his own personality a
happy trinity of author, actor and
manager. This play has been en-
acted for number of years on, both
continents and provoked storm of
criticism favorable to its monetary
success and otherwise. As regards
its bearing towards religion OF any
creed we would rather leave that
part of the discussion to the theo-
ioeians. AS drama it is well con-
structed. which remark can doubtle>-
be substantiated by numerous per-
sons who have witnessed the pro-
duction before.
From time imnIemorial, in any
romance, tragedy, drama of any de
scription whether it be classic of
Shakespeare or an amateur" at the
town hail." whether it be recordel
as the assassination of an emperor
or the humble notice in the VILLAGE
paper that ''Betsy Ann has left my
bed and board" whether it be re-
lntion of the fancied wrongs OF
Venus and Adonis, or Lulu and
Leander. the fact remains and al
WAYS existed, that the leading motive
lin all poetry, prose or drama is what
IS technically termer the Glove In
tcrest.'' After this exhaustive stGtc-
mcnt. it would seem that it would
be entirely unnecessary to use
symbol of Christianity as Il means OF
advertising dramatic performance.
as to all intents and purposes i
title was needed the play could he
called the 'ESign of the S. Il. c.
which would appeal to the major
itv of theatrical managers (Thase
whose names sound very much like
Rhine wines) in a more touching
manner than an appeal to the re'%-
ous beliefs.
The play as produced here LIST
light served to introduce to or
notice two very promising Young
Thespians, and one very good old
mummerc + the program did not
err Chat err sounds like tragedy
Mr.. Julian Barton was the old one.
VI not in wears, at least IN expert
encc, and we presume that he doeSn t
care for the newspaper fatterv. We
-unnnse Mr.. Barton can attend t
those gravc-diggcrs, etc, that IN.
to the lot of blank verse comtd-
ian. and 90 on his way with equam-
nifty. Mr.. William Ferris and bliss
Minnie Downing are the two infant
orodigies we referred to. and II they
stand together by their real art as
veil as they did by their mimic re,
llgion Cor love) when their final
curtain of dramatic usefulness fallS
they need not worry as to what the
rites will say. That concludes our
part of the evenings entertainment.
As q well constructed drama capable
Of great possibilities from il theatre
cal standpoint ''The Sign of the
Cross has and will continue to be
. success. As to its attitude for 'r
AGAINST anv religion we have nothing
to saw. We don't look for religion
',n the stage. neither 90 we lool for
he. tricaIs in the pulpit. If STATE
md church are separated, let us also
,liyorce religion and theatric2's.
Nota Bcne:-Fred Walker who
was member of the oriTinal pro,
,Iuction of ''rThe Sign of the Gross"
when it was produced in London
England, was in the CITY YESTERDAY
md attended the performance. nc
soid il was good. If you don't re
NV criticism, kindly use his
lhe same price.