The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-10
THEATRES
Robert Edeson In ~Strongheartv Al
 The Montgomery Theatre.


 With Columbia University as its pic- turesoue setting, and with Robert Ede- son in the title role, the part of an In- dian chief. ''strongheart," a comedy drama by William c. DeMille, delighted a capacity house" at the Montgomery Theatre last night. Because of a pre- vious appearAnce ip Soldiers of Fort une" in Montgomery, MT. Edeson was already highly esteemed as an actor, and last night with good play and a good cast, he excelled his previous ef- forts. The plays story is trangely pathetic. Soangatha, for Strongheart, the son of great chief in the West, is a student at Columbia, where his athletic prow- ess, unusual mental strength and amia- bility have made him popular with his white fellows. By some of them he Is admitted into their sisters society, and he loves Dorothy Nelson, sister to Frank Nelson, one of Strongheart's s best friends. He tells his love to Dor othy, who, not knowing what answer to make to the man she loves, and yet Is unwilling to marry. asks for days time.
 In the meantime. Thorne. the villain of the play, knowing the secret of the Indians love, exposes to Strongheart the limitations of the friendship of Nell
 
 hearts friend, though he. too. Is in love with--Dorothy, a friendship which will not permit their consent to Dorothy's marriage to an Indian.
 strongheart. much dejected. demands the answer from Dorothy, and the play ends with a separation of the lovers, Strongheart proudly returning to his tribe in the West.
 "Strongheart" Is a good play. Its ia nfa nf : ly interesting, and its problem Is clear ly and distinctly presented, and, 1t may be assumed as fairly answered as pos sible. But the author Is most to be admired for his art in presenting col lege atmosphere so sympathetically. The seeming unimporiant affairs of a college, its boyish games, puerile pranks and juvenile chatter, are be- come as serious to the spectators as to the boys on the stage; there was no | one in the audience last niGht that was not just crazy to have Columbia win the football game, as were the charac- ters in the play themselves. MT. Edeson, as Strongheart, acted with rare fineness. The role he as- sumed was a romantic one. and he showed sympathy with the part He skillfuIly avoided overplaying. HIS voice, affected with a suggestive tracs, of accent, was one Ot kne AS&tutOS os his acting and his expression and pres- ence were excellent.
 Miss Marjorie Wood played charm ingly the vivacious part of Mollie Liv- ingston. Miss Mary Roland, In the role of Dorothy Nelson, was strong and Miss Prentice, as Bettie Bates. tnten- tionally amusing. Frank J. Mcintyre as Billy Saunders played admirably. His part was a sourcS of humor, md he atced it with spirit. David Tooti. as Reads, played well. as did Francis Bonn. A. Byron Beasfey and Ira A. Hurds, who was good as the head coach and far from bad as the Indian messen- ger.
 
 Prize to Graceful Skaters at the Rink
 Miss Prescott Blanton and C.. Lutz were adjudged the most graceful cou' ple at the Auditorium Skating Rink last night A handsome gold bracelet was presented to Miss Blanton.
 Mrs. J. I. Mckinney, Mrs. H. Dan- ziger, Mrs. B. Mcintyre, James Arm strong of Scottsboro and Graham Ben ners of Greensboro were judges of the contest.