The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-27
An7usen7ents
"A sIesnnwe From saars.v

|. It is doubtful If Mr. Wallace Widde- combs version of Horace Parker in "A Message From Mars" which 1t seems we are destined to be forced to accept as 6 staple article Of entertain- ment theatrical. will meet with suffi- cient approval te add years to the sue cess Of the piece.
 Those who went to The Grand last night did not seem to get into the spirit of the performance. MT. Widde- combs enunciation was rather bad. and hts haste in splitting forth the petuiant sentences caused him to sIur along over the lines essential to the proper appre- citation of the authors intent.
 "A Message From Mars" with the principal action a conversion of q self ish man, can never touch the vital spots in a spectators make up. No selfish man eyer believes himself selfish, and can see nothing in common in the char- acter of Horace Parker with his own. Parker starts out by incurring the ill., will of the audience. and is converted into rather doubtful phiianthrep4st. The piece Is almost distinctly ons- character part Everything evolves around Parker To successfully im-e press with the extremes of the temper ament alleged to this character re- auires very apt conception, in which so many have failed. Many different styles have been attempted. The snap py method of getting rid of the son. tences, employed by Mir. Widdecofnb, is no more successful than that of some others who have been seen In the part. It Is part which many well known actors have preferred to have nothing to do with.
 The piece has been seen in Mont gomery number of times. and its chief attraction Is the rather clever plot In last nights presentation the support. tv,es xxraa d
 Alfred Beamont, as tha Tramp, was well made up and did not over do his work. 88
 L. J. Hall. as Arthur Dicey, was stagey, but effectual in q smell part
 Walter H. Cluxton, as the nsrssenger. was, perhaps, as good as any yet sean here in this characterization.
 Miss Nellie Blanchard as Aunt liar. tha, was sattractfve In presence, but ratber exceeded some of the propris- ties of the role.
 Eileen Errei as Minnie Tempiar, lacks voice, but was otherwise very charm ing. adding a very attractive person. Ality to her occupation of ahe role.
 The next attraction at The Grand Is "Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway" which will be presented tonight.
 A Bunch of Good Fellows Eatfng."
 "A Bunch of Good Fellows Eating was presented at Mahoney's Christmas night. to large and extremely appre- ciatfve audience. .N
 It was another of Mir. Mahoney's hits that was seen for the first time to a part of the andience. although num- her of those whS were lucky enough to be Tn Montgomery last year saw Mr. Mahonay in practically the same role Not word adverse to the entertain ment was heard, while on the other hand. each and every member of the audience praised this popular man, the stage manager of The Grand Theatre.
 The piece Is beautiful and most in- pressive. The setting IS banquet given by the star, MT. Maheney, to which his co-workers at The Grand are guests, and around the festive board are seated numerous friends The scene starts after the play. The Great Divide" has finished and each of the members has repaired to the apart ments of Mir. Mahoney. There q ban auet table Is awaiting their pleasure B. A. Blakey is appointed toastmaster and the feast begins.
 Under the direction of Mir. Biakoy. aided wonderfully by the general air of good fellowship inspired by Mir. Ma honey, the room rings with witty re- marks. and every one enjoys himself.
 When the banquet had progressed until things were merry, four newspa- per men arrived on the scene and en. joyed Mir. Mahoney's hospitality.
 As the event was on Christmas night, the star was the recipient of little remembrance from some of his friends. s,
 Prof. Phil Puder appeared for .the first time as the leader of the 1or- chestra, and his. work in that capacity < was more than satisfactory. Ills ss- lections were appropriate and were rendered exceIlentiy. ,&
 In all, the entertainment was de- serving of all the words of praise that could be said. It will no doubt receive the patronage it deserves when it'is re- nsated. |