The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-24
A GRAND SUCCESS
That Is the Verdict on Queen
Esther.
Sung Before an Audience Which
Fills Great Auditorium.
BEAUTIFULLY STAGED
Production Given With Austhe
Detail of Professionals.
Costumes Appropriate and Solo
lists Well Adapted to Parts.

the Modocs and a volunteer cast of
Topeka singers. attracted an audience
of 5000 people at the Auditorium last
night. 1t was a hot night, but the
crowd sat through the long programme
with interest undated and warmly ap-
plauded the superb work of the soloists
and chorus.
Queen Esther was an amateur per-
Torrance strictly, but it must be re-
membered that Topeka has an excep-
tional lot of musical talent and these
singers were trained in their stage
parts by capable directors. So when
last nights entertainment is described
in terms of high praise a.+ It Is 90. only no a
flattery of a home performance at all.
The scene in the great hall was alone
worth coming to view. 1t was a rep
resentative Topeka audience that
crowded all the tiers Of seats that
commanded a good view of the stage.
The lack of regular theater accom-.
paniments was overcome by the clever
and tasteful way in which the platform
was arranged. Without the aid of
drop curtain or any stage settings the
oriental scenes were strong and beau
tifuI and a draw curtain was made to
answer Just as WELL The city should
be proud of last nights home produc-
ton A chorus of so voices aided the
IA leading characters in the cast. The
costumes were elaborate and the stage
presence of the performers equal to
that of the best of the musical COM
panies that visit this city.
The singing of Miss c. Brunette
walter as Esther, Mrs. Alma s. Ell
more as the Prophecies. Mr.: J.. M.
Tompson as Mordecai, Mr.. E. P. Chap
man as the king, Mr.. Harry Crow as
Haman, and Miss Ona May Miller as
Zeresh was much enjoyed and gener-
ously applauded.
The stately music of the piece was
rendered with dignity and earnest
ness that was a positive relief to an
audience surfeited with light opera ana
its stereotyped style. The chorus sing
ing was a feature and this same cnorus
showed the results of careful training
and earnest endeavor on the part OF
each individual. All the scenes were
effective and though so people were
often on the small stage there was not
the slightest confusion or stlHhess III
the action of the play.
The pathos of the Jews in bondage
with the shadow of death hanging over
them was strongly brought out IN
the court scenes the malignant inf1u-
ence of Haman over the barbarous king
of sad faced Jews forming dark PACK
ground for the brilliant setting OF the
scene. The part played by Moroccan,
foster father of the beautllui Queen,
was one of the most difncuit IN the
cast, but it did not suHer III the hanus
of Mr.. Tomson-
The intercession of Queen Esther and
her success in saving the Jews from
the crafty plot of Hannah was strong
scene and the spirit of the music was
inspiring when Hannah was hnaliy ov-
erthrown and Mordecai set up IN MS
Mace by the king, whose heart had oeen
softened by the beauty and grace Oh
the queen.
The scenes in the Persian court 70
centuries ago depict the best and worst
in life and set forth the old story OF
right and virtue winning over wrong.
There could be no better setting for
great play, and the music of the pro-
duction is worthy OF the historicai
story. Thirty years ago this cantata
was popular all over the country, but
it has seldom been attempted on the
large scale of last nights performance
The possibilities of the piece expand
with the attempts Of it's directors.
Credit for the splendid success Of last
nights performance should be gwen
to M. c. Holman, director, and Miss
Emma Viets. Mrs. E. H. Anderson and
Miss Irene Welchans, dramatic direc-
tors, and ]. E. S6uires, stage director.
The orchestra under the direction OF
Petrovich Kissing played the music In
II
ranist. filled the hall with melody, at
the same time controlling the notes OF
the great pipe organ in perfect harmony
with the orchestra and the accompani-
ment of the piano played by Thee.
Mueller.
The following is the cast Of charac-
tiers for the piece:
Esther, the queen-Miss c. Brunette
Walter.
Ahasuerus, the king-Mr. E. P. Chap
man.
Haman, the kings counsellor-Mr.
Harry Crow.
Mordecai, a Jew-Mr. J. NJ. Tomson.
Zeresh, Humans wife-Miss Ona May
Miller.
Mordecai's sister-Miss Mary G. NC
Cormick.
Prophetess-Mrs. Alma S. Elmore.
A Median Princess-Miss Vertie WI
ley.
A Persian Princess-Miss Bertha
Fuson.
Scribe-Mr. r. ]. Regnier.
Beggar-Mr. T. J. B. Scott.
Hegai-Mr. George H. Johnson
Herald-Mr. Paul Sweet.
Harbonah-Mr. Will Bolinger.
Persians. Jews. Pages. Maids OF
Honor, Boys, Girls. etc.
The great success scored by queen
Esther last night has induced those In
torio at the Auditorium Sunday night,
without admission being charged but
a Collection for the benefit of the pipe
organ will be taken.
.-as.> - assa 40 al