The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-03
WESTERN DRAMA
WAS WELL PLAYED.
3Mn4Franklin Woodruff and a
Capable Company Gave a
Good Performance.
STAR AN OLD RICHMOND BOY

STAR AN OLD RICHMOND BOY
ben OF Broken Bow Ranch,'' a. COM
edy drama Of the wild and woolly West
wittsa dash OF New York and q sprink-
linz ofIeffete society In the character Of
an English lord, i made Its initial bow at
tho Academy last night
I; 1t made a hit, or rather, Mr.. Franklin
Woodruff did, which--wa nothing un-
when he starred as pitcher. and the glare
OF the footlights was unknown.
Mr.. Woodruff Is Quiet, with an excel
lent stage presence and fills his audience
with the idea that he is living his part,
rather than acting It.
S AS the manly, big-hearted. simple
cowboy, out in the open OF Nebraska, he
was at his best, for his big, athletic fig
sure filled the cowboy, outfit" to adyan-i
Itage, and he looked tho part.
Next to Zen. Martin. In point Of ex-
cellence came Kit Baxter played by
Miss Marie yRawson.awho simply romped
her way into the hearts of both gallery
and pit i
Miss Marion Ruckert. the leading lady,
as Evelyn Fenton, ''gswas pretty and ac-
ceptablc, while Mr.. Frank Wunderle, as
f"Budge" n cow puncher. furnished the
comedy IN breezy manner.
Tho rest OF the company were we'll re-
ceived and generous applause testified to
the merit OF tho offering. One of the best
bits OF the piece was tho poker game"
In the third ant.t snai eliwasa realistlc and
unusually we'll thouEhtaput. IL
Spoke Before the Curtain.
Mr.. Woodruff. when the curtain fell,
received five calls, and finally made
neat little speech. He said:
sfs"r want to- thank YOU and also to
apologize for not being able to make
a speech. / thank You on the part I
or my company. and I only hope "A
Shall In the future be able to give a
performance on this stage worthy OF
the generous applause You have given
me Tonight
In his dressing room. Mr.. Woodruff
TALKED. Or the days when he lived IN Rich
iiriond in 1885. and played on the ball team
that carried things before II in those
halcyon days.
TIe married Miss strnger, Of Church.
ain, who was with&iA1ansfleld last sea-
son.
Three years ago Mr.. Woodruff mad his
debut in ''Maude Muller. and after IL
single year OF experience became star:
in John Ermine, on the Yellowstone"
iIIe will stick to Ben OF Broken Bow
Ranch, another season and then look
around for new play!
my itlea," said Mr., Woodruff: is to
havoa my company walk through their
partst $50 I hal, there shall DO no appear
ance OF acting That was tho great
charm OF the play last night.
Ryan in "The Bells"
Mr.. Daniel Ryan produced 1.-THE Bells"
to a fair sized audience. at the Bijou last
night This Is the play that the late
Sir Henry Irving appeared in so FREE
iquently, and while there is something OF
gap between the two, still the per-.
Torrance was interesting and credltabe.
Mr.. Ryan plays DR.. Jekyl and Mr.. Hyde
on Thursday and IN pure gruesom eness
THE Bells is n At companion to It.
3 The story Of 1.-The Bells Is one Of retrI-
button and tho demands upon tho por-
trayerS Of {, the murderer ss'Mnthais' rre
great. Even though Mr.. Ryan may not
meet them IN tho highest sense. yet he
deserves thanks for bringing this famous
and interesting play again before the Iticl-
mond public.
The Yankee Consul.
"Tho Yankee Consult" tho comic
opera success which will DO the attrac-
ton at the Academy Tomorrow matinee
and night. is the brightest, sparkling
comic opera success That has been pre-
sentcd during the past, decade. It's pho
3nonlenally successful runs In New York,
Chicago. Boston ana Philadelphia we're
the sensation OF theutricaldonl, and tile
wonderful popularity; ms evidenced by
mountaineering audiences demonstrated
beyond a shadow Of n doubt that Bios
SONS virilc humor and Robyns catchy
Htuneful music had SCORED. a decided and
unprecedented hit witt'pNtrons Of comic
opera. The cast has been carefully So
lccted seventy-four pcoplen all headed
by Harry Short, clover comedian, and
N tss Mlcholcnn, are included in the ros-
ter, while two carloads Of magnificent
scenery. gorgeous costumes and lavish
effects are utilized In staging tho play
Tho chorus Is composed OF fifty-one pref
Sty, graceful girls, and the song hits
which have made this comic opera fa-
unous, have been whistled tho length
and breadth Of the country,
Old Homestead,
"As spry MS n kitten at re- Is n llne
FROM 1.-THE Old Homes ead," which
Joshua Whitcomh has spoken hundreds
Of times, and the countless admirers OF
Joshua and this idylic play will Doubt
less warmly wecoms him OH the occasion
Of his coming enga cement here, and will
find cxchlplificatIon Of. tho trntl, Of the
line In Mr.. I.awrence's representation.
Mr.. Thompson promises for the coming
ongag cement The same realistic scenic en-
yironnent. The striking reproduction Of
the most elaborate and effective that
Mr.. Thompson has ever given. The cast
Is a carefully selected one. and the Ia
nous double quartette Will be heard IN
some new and pleasing numbers.
The Old Homestead Ia down for Satur-8