The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1908-10-08
"The Traitor" Coming.
Thomas Dixon's New Play
Well Received in Norfolk
Applauded to the Echo by
Large and Enthusiastic Aud
ience---Presented by Strong
and Capable Company.
and Capable Company.

- oAA1 "a HCADAS
The Norfolk Firginian Pilot of Sep
tember Doth, says this of the initial
performance in that city last week OF
1.-The Traitor" which comes to the
Grand Theatre next Thursday night,
October 18th:
\ true Southern welcome, warm,
spontaneous and generous. was given
the initial performance of The Traitor. y
presented last night at the Academy of
Music. AS is already known THE Trai-
tor is dramatization by Charming
Pollock and Thomas Dixon, Jr., OF Mr.
Dlxon's novel by that name, and is an
nounced os the sequel OF 1.-The Clansman. -
Judged from the standpoint OF the ma
iority OF the audience. there would be
nothing more to say that is spelled by
success" 1t received such a reception
as is rarely given a stage production in
Norfolk 1t was large audience. Could
their verdict, as expressed in the applause
and encOres, guarantee the fate OF the
play, blaze the way for the country's re-
ception, there is no doubt that Messrs.
Pollock and Dixon would have the sue
cess OF the season.
The play is full of action, and hence, is
intensely interesting, holding the atten-
ton Of the audience and arousing them
to Outbursts of enthusiasm. Sharply
drawn characters occupy the center of
the stage and last night the large aud
fence spontaneously applauded the sen
timents appealing to the best side of
human nature, and there were Kisses
for the william. The climaxes of the first
three acts are extremely dramatic. and
called for encore after encore.
Mr.. Dixon also shows an improvement
in his comedy lines and characters. Al
though it may be said that there is some
exaggeration in them, OF the stacy
character, yet they are good and light
ened the heavier parts with good effect.
With one or two exceptions they are ne
groes, and it is with these that the least
fault can be found.
The heavier parts, on the whole. are
good. They are well drawn, the lines
are good. set well with the action of the
play, and hew paths to the clmaxes.
They tell the story clearly. making it
easily followed, and arousing interest as
And the ending sees explanations. the re-
Cancellation OF the hero and the heroine.
and their union for long and happy
life.
In Catherine Tower, who has the emo
tional character OF Stella Butler. the
production has an excellent, painstaking
and capable, actress. John Maurice Sui
Ivan, as Steve Hoyle, scored a decided
success and received the one thing at
both performances that gladdens the
heart OF a william. Kisses and the scOrn of
the audience. The other leading parts,
John Graham, clansman-chief and hero,
by Frank Patton; Dan Wiley. by j. T.
Doyle, and Alexander Larkin, by Guy G.
Oliver, are well cared for. Some of the
comedy parts are good.
'"The Traitor is a strong melOdrama,
full OF heart interest, even though the
subject. which many believe should be
to rest in oblivion, does not ap-
peal to everybody. That the play will
create interest and prove a drawing
card, seems to be indicated by the local
success.
There seems, upon a first view OF the
production. to be little in the nature OF
offenses for either the North or the South,
Mr.. Dixon is handling a delicate
Subject. HonOrs and dishonors are even
ly divided The chief william is South
erner. but traitor. The second william
is Northerner, but an ex-convict and
all bad" There is in the court scene
''stinging- expose" OF carpet-baggers in
charge of a Federal court and OF cor
rupt political Judge, but in many in
stances this is history.
The hero is Southerner struggling
against the carpet-bag rule, an ex-leader
of the Clansman. 1t is an ideal charac-
ter. The heroine, Northern girl, while
erring, has the true ring is found right at
the last. The other characters are well
drawn, particularly Reverdy Johnson, a
Southern lawyer and old time orator,
and Jim Hawkins, a clansman and dare
devil SOutherner