Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-09
AMUSEMENTS.

Tbcater--"I am glad to get back
home" said Dustin Farnum, in the
oncning lines OF curtain call speech,
az ne stood facing one of the largest
audiences in the history of the SAT-
Lake Theatcr. last night, after an
ovation of almost consuming cordial
tty. This remark was doubtless
prompted by the fact that Salt Lake
was the cradle Of his career ms the
Vireinian. in the now famous play OF
that name. The Deseret News, as has
been before stated. is particularly
proud OF his success. inasmuch as Vt
was the dramatic editor of this paper
who discovered" him, and named
him in advance as the one man TO en-
act that role in the event that owen
Visitors powerful novel should be
dramatized. Since then he has scared
to the highest flights OF theatrical
stardom and public popularity, and
IN every professional way proved the
corroctn ess of the conclusion that he
was the man.
Last night lie came back with his
repressed, yet powerful and convinC-
ing portrayal of Wister's western nero.
Even in this day Of mighty effort ON
the part of tn big eastern playwrights
for the color and atmosphere of the
mountains and plains his creation pre-
sents much that remains unique and
striking IN the way of western stage
land effect Virility characterizes It's
every scene and movement. Its pic
ture OF life on the unfenced ranges
has all the accuracy OF a definite and
precise reproduction, Tail. command
ing, handsome, quiet, with drawl
that partakes almost OF hating de-
liberation, he has been criticised as
an incorrect type of the true Virgin
Ian. But the writer has seen within
the confines OF both the Virginlas more
than one such man as he represents,
His conception Is in no wise wrong,
In many ways it is startlingly true,
AS the tall cowpuncher. with the pio-
turesque hat, garb and acquire
nents of the real western cattleman,
he has preserved. remarkably the
type of his own section and merged 1t
strikingiy into the calling he found in
the employ of a western livestock
baron More than that, he IL fully
and completely entitled to all of the
credit of conquest he has won in the
Interpretation OF the character. The
physical strength, manly self-reiance,
honor. good natured aggressiveness,
and resourcefulness all belong to him.
He Is part of them and they are
part of him. both on and off the stage.
So the News" bids Dustin Farnum
and his most excellent company
hearty welcome on their return to
Salt Lake. and trusts that they will
come to see us often They are being
seen here again this afternoon. and
tonight will conclude their engage
ment which Is one of phenomenal and
deserved business
Mr.. Farnum's support includes
Frank Campeau, whose delineation of
Trampas. the villainous cattle thief.
is so masterful as to enlist ones full
admiration despite the despicable
character he must unfold. 1t Is doubt
ful IL there is another actor living
who could altogether so ably play
this role. Bennett Musson as uncer-
tain and misguided Steve, Frank Vail
as the irrepressible Honey Virgins,
and Mabel Wright as Molly Wood, the
Vermont school teacher, are artists,
every one OF them, and entitled to
no small mead OF praise for the as
sistance they render in making 1.-THE
Virginian' one of the best stage pro-
auctions OF this decade.
Manager Pyper has just been per-
sonally presented with the most mag
nincent photograph ever seen In Utah.
II Is of II. S. Willard, the famous Eng
llsh actor. life size. II came by O.
press during the week and will be
hung in the outer lobby OF the Thea
ter,