Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-08
At the Theaters

"The IdIer at the BurwOOd.
The Burwood Stock company in The
ldler," a modern drama I'm four acts by
G. Haddon Chambers; under direction OF
Frank Bacon. The cast:
Mr.. Mark Cross, a man of leisure. .......
.."......n..........,.. ...... William Grew
Sir John Harding, member of Parliament.
TOdd
Simeon Strong, a wealthy American.
z."....:....:....."......J. Lane Connor
General Merriweather, looking for number
Bennett, Mark Cross ervant......:,.
p;,rd ...a,;"'''' EdwaTd Smsoee
Lady Harding. wife Of Sir John..........
Mrs. Cross, widow; Marks; nother;. -
Kate .Merriweather, half sister of Lady
Mrs. Glenn-stanmore. looking for a hus-
a Beyers
Comedy has almost turned to tragedy
at the Budwood this week, and the play
acting there has taken on a serious turn
that might be looked for in mid-season.
The Idler' is a really strong handling
of the factors Of the eternal triangle, the
moves being made in a way that is both
clever and unusual. Mark Cross, the idler,
has it in his power to save the husband
OF the woman he processes to love, and
he uses that power to compromise the
woman. She is earnest, devoted, and al
together lovable, and her husband is both
frank and brave, and just stupidity selfish
enough to think OF his own honor when he
ought to be thinking of his wife's good
name and future. The denouement is a
little bit trite, but is worked out with APP
parent sincerity, and the happy" ending
Of the drama is given more than ordinarily
force by the method of approach.
The piece is OF value in that 1t gives
IL lriIiatt .on,a a,anort,nGty for oarto,tr
work, and this opportunity she fully takes
advantage of. Her attack on emotional
scenes is excellent. She has the faculty
Of expressing deep emotions with force
and intensity, and yet without tearing to
tatters the passion she feels. In the third
act, when she appeals first to the man
who processes to love her, then to her
husband, who ought to love her, pleading
with the one for her husbands life and
her own good name, and with the other
that he be not swayed by appearances but
by reason, she is especially fine. She then
shows a loving woman's heart torn in a
whirlwind OF fear, doubt and anxious de-
sire. and 1t won for Miss Elliott the tri-
butte of many curtain calls at each per-
Torrance yesterday. In the second and
fourth acts she also has some serious
situations, and does them Thoroughly well.
Mr.. Grew plays the part of Mark Cross
| with good taste and good judgment, show
ing him first as a man who forgot his
manhood to achieve possession of the
| woman he loved, and then by his remorse
and apparent willingness to effGce him
self, proved that he really was aware of
the enormity Of his offense. 1t was a very
well rounded out performance. Mr.. Todd
is fitted with an excellent part in the role
80 The b,,abaad ona gbnuys bgn,gaIF ,o,oh1a
OF conceiving and presenting a character
with convincing fidelity. Mr.. Connors also
finds himself in a role that gives MIN a
very good chance to display his ability,
and the chance is not lost. Mr.. Bacon
has another of the comedy roles that he
fits so easily into, and gives his usual
finished performance.
After Miss Elliott Miss Stearns has the
best opportunity on the feminine side Of
the bill. She has the part Of a girl who
is a combination Of enfsnt terrible and
preternatural wisdom, and is at all times
decidedly pert. But in it all she is un-
strained and makes her points without eff
fort. 1t is a much better role than she
had last week. Miss Beyers shows capac-
ity in a single scene. and promises what
she viii do when her turn comes. Miss
Jeffrey is playing a sweet motherly role,
and playing It with her accustomed taste
and tact.
The play Is well mounted, and was
greatly enjoyed by two large audiences
yesterday. The house was damned in the
evening 1t ought to do a big weeks bus
mess, for It is a drama Of genuine force
and interest and is being finely acted.
reeIey WALL CaIendurG EOr 1909
will keep you in the memory of your trade
for an-entire year. Several sizes and
styles. Write today for samples and prices