The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-05-19
Theatres.
"a TEXAS STEER. "

"a TEXAS STEER"
One of the brightest products from tn
pen of the late Charles Il. Hoyt, and
comedy in which that clever playwright
hit the bulls eye in caricaturing certain
types, will be produced by the Orpheun
Players, at the Chestnut Street Theatre
Philadelphia, this week. "a Texas
Steer will be remembered as the vehicle
which gained for Tim Murphy his great
reputation as a character actor. 1t was in
the role of Maverick Brander, a brusque
son of Texas, who is elected to represent
his district in Congress, that Murphy won
his spurs as an actor, and 1t was in the
piece that Mr.. Hoyt added 80 greatly to
his reputation as playwright in hitting
off the foibles of Washington society and
in depicting the difficulties which hedge
about the position of Representative In
the National Legislature. An idea of Mr..
Hoyt's cleverness is also seen in the names
of the characters, Captain Fairleigh
Bright, Major Yell, Colonel Brassy Gall,
Colonel Blow, Colonel Bragg, Knott
limit and Lieutenant Green being some
of the names of the people engaged in the
play. When Maverick Brander, his wife
and their pretty daughter, Bossy, come to
the national capital, so green that they
mistake olives for grapes, they are i'm
mediately set upon as the legitimate prey
of the sharpers, and are victimiZed so
barefacedly that in desperation the Con.
gresham is about to thrown up the jbo
and return to Texas. An important event
in bringing about this determination is
the snubbing of Brander's daughter by
some former Texas neighbors. This blow
is too much for the stalwart cattle man,
and he remarks, pathetically, though
contemptuously, to his wife and daughter,
you can stay here, but I'm going back
to Texas" He is prevailed upon to re-
main, however, and soon begins to like
the place and to wish re election, which
he easily secures. Needless to say, he
pays oft several old scores in the mean
time. In the roll of Brander, Mr.. William
Ingersoll should appear to exceptional
advantage, while his daughter, Bossy,
sweet and lovable type of Southwestern
girlish character, Miss Lottie Briscoe
should also be at her best. Miss Mabel
Brownell will have an ingenue role as
Dixie, a little vixen of the South, which
will give her opportunity to display her
versatility as an actress, and the other
members of the Orpheum Company will
all be fitted with roles requiring clever
character acting Mr.. Harry McRae
Webster will stage the production with
his usual care, and the revival of "a
Texas Steer" should, on the whole, prove
one of the most enjoyable productions of
the Orpheum season.
"a YANKEE TOURIST"
"a Yankee Tourist" seems likely to
make long stop at the Forrest Theatre,
Philadelphia, Judging from the size of the
audiences that greet Raymond Hitchcock
at every performance. The splendid
theatre which Messrs. Nixon and thinner
man have so successfully devoted 20 big
attractions and long runs, has been
crowded to its capacity at every perfor
nance since the popular comedian began
his engagement there, and the advance
sale denotes continuance of the big at
tendance for some time to come. Ray
mond Hitchcock is one of those irresisti
bly, droll comedians whose methods are
always legitimate. Never STOPPING to
horseplay or vulgarity, he has an inimit-
able manner of handing his lines across
the footlights that keeps his audience
convulsed with laughter from the time he
makes his first appearance until the final
curtain drops. Miss Flora Zabelle, the
prima donna of the company, is a charm
ing artistic who has sung and danced her
way luGO luO nOdILS VI Iuc puld
public during her brief stay. Although
Miss Zabelle has been seen there in other
productions nothing has presented her to
the theatregoers so effectively as "a
Yankee Tourist" Her song, "Rainbows.
has to be repeated so often at every per-
Torrance that the singer is well nigh
exhausted before the audience is satisfied.
Helen Hale, as Coincidence, is another
strong ally of Mr.. Hitchcock, and dances
like bit of thistledown on the breeze.
These are not the only ones who claim
attention, for there is a large cast of I'M
usual excellence, and chorus, the
equal of which is seldom seen. Like all
of Henry w. Savages productions, the
costumes and scenery are magnificent and
there is not line or action in the piece to |
which anyone can take exception. There |
is great influx of theatregoers from out |
side of Philadelphia to the Forrest
Theatre and the branch ticket offices
established by Nixon and Zimmerman in
over fifty cities and towns within reason
able access to Philadelphia are proving of
great convenience to out of-town patrons
Mail orders, when accompanied by cash
or money order and addressed, stamped
envelope, will receive immediate and care
full attention. Matinees are on Wednes-
days and Saturdays, the Wednesday
matinees being at special popular prices,
with no seat over one dollar. Seats may
be secured at Aliens drug store.