The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
AT THE THEATERS.

The success of ''The Clansman,'
which is to be at the Grand tonight,
| continues to be the sensation and sur
prise OF the theatrical world. Initial
/ predictions as to fiat failure were con-
| tradicted by the enormous business OF
the first season when two companies
presented it simultaneously in the
south and the north to the largest
| audiences that had ever gathered
within the respective theaters. "a
| one season success croaked the pes
simistic. The anwser came in a sec
ond season bigger even than the first
with the endorsement of all the large
! cities added to those of the smaller
| towns. won't last over two years,
anyhow" said theatrical sharp who
/ prides himself as a prophet. This, the
| third season, proves the last croaker
as mistaken as his predecessors. The
demand for bookings of "The Clans
man" is far greater than the manage
ment can supply: Mr.. Thomas Dixon,
| jr, who wrote 1.-THE Clansman" is ex-
pected to be present and deliver an
address.
Those who have seen Miss Jessie
Busley in her most recent role, that
of Nance Olden in the play, In the
Bishops Carriage" which is to play
an engagement at the Grand on
Thursday night, are unanimous In as
sorting that it is by far the most in
teresting and powerful characterize
ton this young actress has ever at
sertion of Importance, for during her
comparatively short career upon the
stage Miss BuSley has essayed with
success a number of roles. However,
seems to be particularly suited to this
actress personality, for it carried
with it a wealth of tense feeling that
is part and parcel of the part itself,
souI-awakening that is of absorbing
interest! Associated with Miss Busley
will be found Ha1lett Thompson, Har-
ry English, George CASTOR, Virginia
Reeves, Ruth Lloyd, Maud Monroe
and Pauline Palmer.
One of the most prominent features
of Chas. H. Yale's "Everlasting Devils
Auction" which will be at the Grand
Friday evening. and, by the way,
feature that is not now presented by
any other spectacular organization, is
the Transformation scene. In former
not considered complete without it's
final scene of transformation,
as in the case of the original
"BIack Crook" ''The White Fawn,''
and later in David Henderson's show
pieces, where fortunes were spent in
presenting these magnificent speci-
mems Of the scenic painters art. OF
late years the promoters of spectacle
outside of Mr.. Yale, have discarded
these effective f1nales to their perfor-
consider an unnecessary expense. In
any event, the scene has been cut out
in the majority of fairy productions,
with the exception of the Devils
Auction" Manager Yale, however,
has each year offered his patrons a
beautiful series of stage pictures, and
in this, the twenty-sixth edition, prom
Uses a radical change from anything
hitherto attempted in this line. The
new transformation is entitled
Amor (Love) and is claimed to be
one of if not the handsomest mise-en
scenes ever presented.
Novelty of story, incident. environ
ment and effects coupled with hunor
and wealth of melody are the dis
tinguishing chara cteristics of 1.-The
Grand Mogul,' the new musical
comedy by Frank Pixley and Gustav
Luders which Klaw & Erlanger have
produced upon a scale of lavish mag
niflcence that has no parallel in such |
offerings This is the first work that |
those popular authors have written |
since the enormous success Of their |
Prince of Pilsen" three years ago. |
Since that time Mr.. Pixley has been |
travelling in the Orient for local color |
for 1.-THE Grand Mogu1," while Mr.. |
Luders resorted to the quietude or
tiny German watering place to COM
pose his new score. The result may |
be truthfully said to Justify the time |
and pains spent upon 1t, for The |
Grand Mogul'' is by far the best work |
thus far written by the talented COLA |
borators. The story is located in |
Honolulu and the Island of Inde in |
company of more than 100 is headed |
by Frank Moulan. the favorite come |
dian, who has the first part worthy of /
his great abilities for many years.