The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-04
AT THE TI1EATERS.


Many a theatrical production has
been seen at the Grand for which
seats have sold at one dollar, yes, one
dollar and a half, the merits of which
could in no way compare with the
presentation of "The Girl and the
Stampede" which occurred yester-
afternoon and last night. and which
was rated, according to the price OF
the tickets as Cheap" show. AS a
matter of fact there was nothing
r'cheap" about it. 1t was a fairly
good play and most cleverly acted by
the great majority of the cast which
was small one.
There's not so very much to the
story. It's title conveys the idea that
it is one of the numerous plays OF
western life that seem to have great
vogue just now. wyoming is the set
ting for the piece. A designing uncle
wishes to force the marriage of his
niece, girl of the plains who is
wealthy, to distant cousin of hers
who is of the English nobility. A
cowboy saves her life from some
stampeding cattle. Likewise does he
elope with her on the eve set for her
marriage to her cousin and the de-
signing uncle is chased away from the
sand hills. There was some gun play
in the piece but no killings.
v. E. Lambert, as "Cal Blair the
cowboy, and Grace Lambert as "Bess
Crabtree," the heroine of the story,
did some unusually clever acting. Miss
Lambert, who is young, gives every
Indication of making a name for her
self in the theatrical world. Her
work at the end of the second act in
catoling the sheriff while her cow
boy lover makes good his escape and
on the sheriff's horse was such that
the audience responded with four cur
tain calls. Other members of the
company played their parts well. One
of the hits of the show was the efforts
of Miss Mabel Hayes as "Henny
Oleson," a Swede servant girl. Miss
Hayes was about the cutest Swede
that has been seen on the local stage
in long time. She got round after
round of applause for singing a song.
the chorus of which started off with
'By yimminy yees yump my yob for
Mr.. Lambert presents show here 1T
is sure to be better patronized.
That play, ''The Little Detective"
seen at the Grand on Saturday after
noon and night with Miss Dorrit Ash
ton as the feature is out of its proper
environment. Instead of touring
through this section of the country,
it ought to be holding down the
boards at New York's Third avenue
theater which is right in the heart of
the Bowery. 1t might make a bit of
a hit there, that is as far as the show
itself is concerned, but 1t is doubtful
if the playing of the cast would make
a hit any place, except perhaps in
the funny" house, where the inhab-
itants lack the power of discrimina-
ton. In her perigrinations as 1.-The
Little Detective Miss Ashton at
tempted to simulate a half dozen diff
ferent characters, from a lady of
quality to a sporty boy who is sup
posed to be intoxicated more than
half the time he is on the stage
1t is getting to be the fashion to be
charitable to the degree that when it
is impossible to say anything good of
a person or thing it is best for all
concerned to say nothing Such a
course is bound to preclude hard
feelings. In this instance it would
seem to be charitable to say that "The
Little Detective" is about the poorest
show that has been seen in Topeka
and the acting of the players present.
ing 1T the worst, generally. that has
been seen here. The charity in this
statement lies in the fact that it
players to start for home while they
have the price for they will surely
have to walk If they continue to pre-
sent 1.-THE Little Detective" as it was
here.
A real good criticism of the play and
the players is found in this bit of con-
versation which was overheard while
the play was in progress. A young fell
low was laughing heartily at the ride
ulousness of the show and the peurile
efforts of the actors when his fair
friend. evidently girl who is most
gave him a nudge and
I'm ashamed of you. These folks are
doing the very best they know how
and they should not be laughed at"
True enough" replied the scoffer,
they are doing the best they know
how but thew don't even begin to know
how. They're woefully shy on the ru-
diments. Of the game"
One Of the most entertaining acts that
has been seen at the Olympic since 1T
opened Is on the bill for this week. Tt
is given by McCloud and Melville and
is styled singing and dancing act.
1t is more than that. 1t is a good
singing and dancing act with quite
novelty as a part of it. McCloud is
an excellent character singer and his
English coster songs are fine. He and
Miss Melville close the act playing on
small harps and dancing to their own
At the first show last