The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-28
MR.. KELLERD AND
COMPANY IN THE
DRAMA TAPS

1t was i'm Taps" a German military
play by Frank Adam Beyerlein and
adapted to the English, that Mr.. John
h. Kellerd appeared last evening at
the Providence opera house but just
what hypnotic influence was exerted
upon Mr. Kellerd to use this piece as
one I'm which to star, is not known.
Mr.. Herbert Klsey and Miss Effie
Shannon endeavored. and hard too, TO
make II a go a season or so past but
ii didn't. for reasons that hold quite
as true at the present time, among
them being the fact that it's not a
play that would appeal to an English
speaking audience. there is no new
plot to ~. and II is "one woman
piece, which certainly tends 10 minimize
interest from either sex.
The story tells OF events happening in
the garrison OF the third squadron of
Chlans and the action revolves about the
daughter Of the brave old sergeant and
wearer Of the much desired iron cross
who has been betrayed by one Of the lieu
tenants. The sergeant is stick
Ter for duty, obeyance, and the
respecting of superior rank. A
young corporal in love with the girl.
becomes Jealous and suspicious that all is
not right between her and the lieutenant.
surprises both I'm the latters quarters and
assaults the lieutenant. a court martial
results and both swear TO almost anything
that will not bring the girl into the mat
ter. but from different motives. however,
the corporal because Of his true love for
the girl-the lieutenant. evidently. to save
himself from disgrace Eventually the
| truth comes out and the sergeant is so
! overcome by the disgrace of his daughter
and the perfidy Of the lieutenant. offers
a % "A vi N qd-
herence TO the military code existing be-
tween a non-commssioned and a COM
mvsioned officer. is the stronger element
and augmented by the fact that the young
mans father once saved his life
he calls matters square. The old
mans heart Is broken. however
and he thinks about all there Is TO
! do is to take his daughter 10 some quiet
place and live out their lives I'm sor-
row. The girl, however, elects TO stay
with her lover. This is the very last straw
for the father and so overcome with sor-
row at the thought he ends his own life
by shooting himself
There are, of course some strong points
10 the drama. especially I'm the court mar
tial scene In the third act and the last
act: but on the whole there are some
lengthy periods when the action or dia-
logue Is anything but attention holding
or interesting, while at times the acting.
on the part OF several OF tho principals.
was decidedly ragged. some OF the actors
being amateurists I'm the Interpretation Of
| lines. and even mixing them up In a most
remarkable manner. giving the impression
that Il might be a "first night" perform
ance
Mr. Kellerd has an excellent reputation
as an actor. but surely as Sergt Volk-
hardt in Taps" don't give him any great
| opportunity TO display the ability he may
! have. and not until the very last act does
| he give any real worthy demonstration Of
| II. and was even then al times inclined TO
be melodramatic. However. II was ca
pable piece Of work on the whole. and he
certainly displayed depth OF feeling,
which was "A decided contrast 20 his action
/ in the previous acts.
| Miss Viola Fortesque deserves much
| praise for her impersonatiOn Of Klerchen
| Nolkhardt Her work Is convincing. her
enunciatlon excellent and she interprets
/ the different degrees Of feeling in an cx-
| ceptionally clever way, especially so IN
| the court martial scene when 10 overac'
would be disastrous and not 10 reach the
proper gauge OF subdued emotion would
| be quite as much so Mr. Alexander r
| Frank. as the Derhdious Lieut.. Won Lau.