The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-25
AT THE THEATERS.

East Lynne has been on the stage
continuously since-welI it's quite with
in the truth to say that the memory OF
the oldest inhabitant runneth not back
that far. 1t Is really historic and has
been the medium, for untold numbers
of actors to get their start, on the road
to fame. David Belasco, who is looked
upon as the genius of the American
stage, appeared before the public for
the first time in East Lynne" This
was fifty years ago when Belasco was
carried on the stage, an infant in arms,
by Julia Dean Hayne.
And during the long and honorable
career of East Lynne which has de-
lighted and wrung the hearts of mil
lions of theater goers the play has
never done anything, SO far as is known,
to warrant the maltreatment it re-
ceived at the hands of the purported
actors who were at the Grand on Sat
urday afternoon and night This great
old play was more than treated badly.
1t was actually massacred. It's been a
long time since such a lot of incapable
actors have been seen in Topeka. They
were advertised as John Kings New
York company. 1t is a safe gamble,
however, to bet that their experience
on the stages in New York was limited
to either driving or riding on those that
travel up and down Fifth avenue.
performances, and the majority of the
women in them were there, evidently,
to have q good cry over the troubles
and agonies of Lady Isabel" They
may have gone to cry but they stayed
to laugh in derision at the efforts of
those who played in the piece.
Miss Bessie Clifton was pretty much
the whole show and just as entertain
ing as ever in The Belle of Japan
,ioI, tod of +l1aC ror nd
terday afternoon and last evening be-
fore fair sized audiences that seemed
to find plenty of enjoyment in the en-
tertainment. Practically the same COM
pany appeared yesterday as did when
the piece was played here last year
1.-The Belle of Japan" is not a great
show, but it is decidedly interesting in
depicting various of the novel phases
of life in the Mikado's domain. There
are several good musical numbers in
the piece, the best of which are given
by Miss Clifton.
Each act of the show which will be
at the Majestic during the week, and
which played to crowded houses at the
performances of yesterday afternoon
and last night is an entertaining one
and the show on the whole is one of
the best which has been at this popular
place of amusement this season. 1t is
hard to say just which act is the best
/
ties and cover a great variety of vau-
devilIe. There is not a one of them |
which did not come in for rounds and
of applause at the performances
yesterday. The Zolas, a couple of come |
". girls, who are styled the Mystic |
Bears" put on one of those simulated |
mirror dances which demand such a lot |
Of skill. William J. Mills, a character |
change artist, does some unusually |
clever work along this line and The |
Tanakas, one of whom is a !!
Japanese, have on some interest !
ng tricks in novelty magic while |
Tanka spins tops in an actually mar |
velous fashion Locke. Russell and |
Locke. are a trio of men dancers, |
whose equals have not. been seen here |
this season William Cooper, a violin I
st, plays several of the old familiar i
airs. in two and three parts, in way
that made the audiences yesterday re- !
spond with applause. Besides being !
good violin player ME- Cooper is also +
the proud Dossessor of four gold
medals which he wears on the right
breast of his coat. Perhaps the piece
lie resistance on the bill as far as
augh producing goes is the antics of
Fred Gallettfs monkeys They put
IN variety of stunts that monkeys Z
seldom do.
There is another decidedly interest