Evening journal., 1908-01-28
THEATRICAL

L
Manager Dockstader Of the Garrick
Theatre tops the limit in vaudeville with
the galaxy Of performers appearing at
his playhouse this week. He has nine big
acts. one more than usual. but interest
yesterday seemed to centre in Hal Davis
Co.'S playlet, "a Race for a Wife" The
act consumed the entire stage capacity
OF the Garrick and required nine men to
handle it. AS soon as the Garrick stage
was cleared Saturday night last, machin-
lists, mechanics and stage hands went to
work to prepare the way for a young man
who loved a girl against her papa's
wishes. as some men do. Much Of the
scenery at the Garriok had to be removed
to the Opera House TO make room for the
act. The preliminary skirmish to the race
is unfolded in the girls house. Percy
Gibson, (Hal Davis is in love with Mar
garet Turner, O5lsie Ridgley), but Papa
Turner as played by William +. Howell,
objects on the grounds that he did not
wish to have mollycoddle for son-in-
law. 1t never does for virtue-play virtue
to be defeated. and the young man, to get
the girl must win IN an auto race as the
last resort for beating papa. OF course it's
case OF elopement, but they are discov-
cred by papa who endeavors TO prevent
them. Cupid always fights the harder
when obstacles prevent, so Percy and
Margaret escape and take to a waiting
auto. closely followed by the irate father
who has a wager that he'll catch them.
The scene shifts and one sees a country
road with two auto machines tearing
across it at mile a minute rate. but
Percy gets the lead and wins. and love
triumphs and Papa Turner gets SON
in-law despite his protestations The act
is ingeniously staged, and is modelled
after the great race in "rhe Vanderbilt
Cup" in which Elsie Janis made her
name. but the idea Is taken from Neil
Burgess. of County Fair" fame. The
working mechanism of the race alone is
interesting. The passing roads and resi-
dences whirl and twirl as the racers tear
down the road giving a realism to the
scene which is rather spellboundish. John
Turner, as the irate papa was natural in
his presentation Of the character and the
same can be said OF Mr.. Davis and Miss
Ridgley. The entire playlet is realistic
and exceptionally ingenious. It caught
on yesterday. Manager Dockstader sal,
that it's the biggest thing yet booked by
him since the Garrick opened. The act
only plays at big houses and is booked
for Kelth's Maryland theatre next week.
"A Race for Wife" Is well worth at
tending. as there are no touts or bookies
to put you wise as to the winner.
There is a tremendous demand for the
musical play His Honor the Mayor" by
managers throughout the country o.
course it viii be impossible 10 comply
with all these demands. but a satisfactory
route has been laid out for this merry
musical success. and Wilmington is one
Of the favored cities as Resident Man
lager johnson has secured II for Monday
February 3. Considerable time and ex
pense. however. was incurred in bringing
His Honor, the Mayor" here. as thii
date was originally held at the Grand
lOpera House for William Jennings Bryan
and it Is due to the efforts Of Manager
johnson, aided by John C. Gray and tn,
officers of the Democratic League. tha
the change in time was brought about
otherwise Wilmington could not have seer
tho play this season. The same cast head
ed by Harry Kelly. viii be seen here as II
, the runs IN New York and Philadelphia
The English Pony ballet remains a stroni
feature.
A play that is far above the class OF IL
predecessors at the Lyceum is We ARE
king" which opened a three days en-