The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-05-19
IN LOCAL pAIHOU5t5|
DETROIT.

Lillian Russell. In the racing com
edy "Wiidhre.' by George Broad
hurst and George v Hobart. appeared
In the Detroit opera house Monday
night, IN . part OF the handsome
widow. The play is decidedly "horsy
and taken as a whole, IL is not re.
markable production. The second act
however. is something quite out OF the
ordinary, presenting the quarters OF
the trainer OF a racing stable. There
is no straining after effects In this
scene, but is just a bit Of Sheepshead
Bay track put on the stage.
Mrs harrington, young widow has
Inherited racing stable. She wishes
to keep the fact a secret, as her sister
is engaged 10 marry the son OF a race
track reformer. All OF her money is
put on one race. which she thinks
the sutton for her hand who is really
her racing rival. is trying TO rob her
Of by bribing the Jockey. She prevents
the success OF the plot by permitting
bookmaker, who is the plotter, TO
WOO her until she can give her boy
the signal TO win the signal arranged
by the bookmaker I'm case II were TO
his advantage TO have the widows
horse win. Then she slaps his face
The stable boy had tipped off tAe plan
TO beat her horse. The name of the
widows sutton is finally cleared and
all ends happily.
The real novelty OF the play is the
placing OF the second scene In the
trainers quarters. Here, the race
track atmosphere is obtained from
the room decorated with blankets
brides, pictures OF prize!winning
horses the stable boy. who imagines
he Is real plunger when he places
three dollars on "Wildfre; the rough
andready trainer. who IL man. not
withstanding his rough exterior; the
society women enXious 10 have just
one peep at the horse that is expected
to win the big stake. and the jockey
.resplendent In his colors OF black and
green. who almost petrifes the race
track reformer when he tells or earn
ing $4,000 Ia a year just from riding
winners.
Miss Russell is happily cast In
"Wildfre," although 1t is doubtful II
she will ever win the recognition In
comedy that she did In opera. How
ever. her beauty and charm, her hand.
some gowns and chic manner please.
Her gowns are works OF art An
especially beautiful one Is worn In
the third act, and Is called the gown
OF gold" This is a perfect marvel In
elegance and costliness and Is heavily
trimmed with gold. Paris firm re-
Gently made the dress for Queen Will
helmina. OF Holland, but when com
pleted II cost SO much more than was
expected that the queen said she could
not afford It, Miss Russells manager
secured 1t for his star and II is this
gown that delighted the feminine por-
tion OF the audience In the theater
Monday night.
Two characters, In addition TO Miss
Russell. stand out prominently in the
cast OF "Wildfre." They are Matt
Donovan. the trainer. and Bud, the
stable boy. The acting OF the former
was natural, while the youngster pro-
voked more real laughter by his In
terest In matters pertaining TO bet
ting and the race track than any one
In the cast. The slangy. boyish Bud
completely won the audience. and with
Herbert Corthell. as the trainer. assist
ed materially In making the play
success.
There will be performances every
night this week. with a matinee Sat
urday