The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1907-03-01

DIR. Lane ................... Mr.. H. H. Sleight
Tom Ripley. ...-.- Mr.. Edwin Belden
Lucy JOY. Miss Helen Travers
Mrs. Walton Miss Margaret L. Lee
Alice Lane. Miss Mildred Johnson
William 1884,. Mr.. Charles Yarbro
Thompson. ................... Mr.. Oliver Pugh
Louis Schntzel Mr. H. F. Creighton
James. ........................M Mr.. w. T. Odell
Harry Beresford, with the strong
est support and the cleverest part
of his stellar career, kept a large
audience laughing for two hours
and half at Reynolds Opera
House last Friday night. The piece
is not new, having been produced
by Roland Reed years agone, who
had just emerged from a success in
Check" The - Woman Halter "
was the cap-stone which estab-
lished Mr.. Reeds right to distinc-
ton as a comedian. AS we said
before, the piece is not new, but
Union City never saw it before, so
it is even better than new, for all
the scum and froth b ave been
skinned off, d the residue has
simmered down to clear, consist
emit and clean farce-comedy, both
refreshing and invigorating.
One of the most intelligent-look-
ing and discriminating audiences
ever seen at Reynolds playhouse
was assembled to hear the distin-
guished comedian and his company
of players, and if appreciation is
to be measured by evidence the at
traction proved complete winner.
In the seats could be seen repre-
sentative ladies and gentlemen from
Martin, Dresden, Fulton, Hickman,
Rutherford, Kenton, Rives, Wood
land, Troy and other places.
The woman Halter has little in
common with serious things. Its
humor, however, is somewhat re-
moved from the broad and blase,
which is usually purveyed over the
tootlights by the cheaper brand.
The play is of the same nature
and type that made up the repor-
toire used by Nat Goodwin in his
early career. And it might be said
that Nat Goodwin was the greatest
of all American farciers. In this
line he probably had no equal in
this country. But his first love be-
came tiresome, and he began to
browse a little uneasily in the gar
den of romance, little more to his
liking perhaps, but not so much to
his credit.
Roland Reed was not so popular
nor so great, but he never forgot
his early genius and training, and
his work is remembered with pleas
ure by the present generation OF
theatre goers.
We are going to take little Ii
cense after seeing Mr.. Beresford's
performance last Friday, and in
doing that we feel induced to say
that the young actor has some ad-
vantages over his pred ecessor.
Beresford's physical appearance and
his voice are both more pleasing
than were those of Reed. The lat
ter was as keen in wit. He had the
and the oddities of a
polished comedian in superlative
degree, yet not more SO than Beres-
.ord, while the young man is gifted
N facial expression probably to
greater extent.
Beresford selected his plays from
he Reed list, but his manner and
style are more in keeping with the
Goodwin style of farce. He was
never to be likened to the Jefferson
ind Russell types, but in his line
lie has made a mark, and in his
work he now appears before the
Judges for Gotham approval, tor
View York is the center Of author j
ty in drama for the entire world,
while Paris Yields the power over
he destiny Of music. 1
The remainder of the cast in 1.-The
Woman Hater' sustained the char
lcter and rank of the production in
most creditable manner. 1t was
N evening of genuine entertain
nent and good humor.
Union City would be glad to see
more Of Mr.. Berestord an d his ,
onpany.
Sends Box Of Clothing.
Mrs. Brackin, mother of S. ]. i
srackin, and aunt of the late Alex !