The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1909-01-23
Amnsemeats.

I
Thomas Dixon's famous drama,
, 1.-THE Clansman, which will be the
attraction at the Gondran theatre next
Tuesday night, the 18th inst, played
an engagement at the Tulane theatre
in New Orleans this week, and ELECTED
the usual unqualified expressions of
Endorsement and appreciation from the
press and public of that city. In re-
viewing performance of the noted
production, the dramatic critic OF the
Times Democrat says:
Thomas Dixon, Jr.'s, story of re-
construction, THE Clansman, has not
lost interest for New Orleans theatre
| goers. Ia play form, it was unfolded
| at the Tulane Theatre last night for
the delectation of an audience which,
though not large, was appreciative of
play and players, interested through
out and apparently deeply impressed
with the strong politico social. lesson
it teaches.
'sIn its presentation this year THE
j Clansman' has for its interpreters
practically the same company which
| produced it last season. The parts
are we'll distributed, thought evidently
having been given in their bestowal TO
the personality and histrionie ability Of
the player to which each is fitted. On
the whole, the company's interpreta-
ton is painstaking, smooth, and with
a degree of natur alness.
No play OF its kind, probably, has
a story that engages the attention and
stirs the feelings of southerners who
are earnestly and inherently Interested
in the history of reconstruction as that
of The Clansman.' It smacks of
truthfulness and gives the impression
of being as nearly an exact depletion
of conditions and scenes that prev allied
during the reign of terror in the south
land that followed the war as the stage
will permit.
"Eranklin Ritchie, who plays Ben
Cameron, is tall, manly and forceful,
| without being strained or too dramatic
His playing in the scenes with Elsie is
creditably modulated. He came in for
large share of the appreciation.
Eugene Hayden has part with
many difficult phases in Elsie Stone
man. She gives creditable per-
Torrance, and plays with much SINGER
ity. The Silas Lynch of Charles j.
Wilson is strong characterization.
The part is one oil the most vital to the
play. Mr.. Wilson's handling of it is
thoughtful and intelligent. NJ. j. Jor-
don gives lifelike impersonation of
character as Austin Stoneman. Mary
Maxwell and Maude Durand furnish
considerable eccentric comedy in a re-
freshing way with. their negro inter-
pretations.
W. B. Patton, the peculiar comedian,
will appear at the Gondran Theatre
next Friday, Jan. 20, in his new play,
1.-THE Blockhead, " the story Of which,
briefly told, is as follows: Jack
Steele. gambler and man of the world,
has seen and fallen in love with the
beautiful daughter of a wealthy retired
merchant knowing he would never
be received at her home under his pro-
per name, aud learning that her father
is expecting a Latin professor, he re-
solves to impersonate the latter and as
the eccentric Prof. Theodore Block |
som Heddington he appears at the |
summer home of the merchant His |
odd speeches, awkward movements |
and peculiar dress furnish much |
amusement, and he is unmercifully |
guyed by the girl he loves, but in spite /
Of that he soon manages to interest |
her. He also finds plenty to do IN the
household Of the merchant. The lat I
ter's young and pretty wife is drifting
away from him, and is almost per-
suaded to elope with clever seoun- /
drel, whom j ack recognizes as a man
with bad record in Colorado. He
saves the wife from dishonor Ia an
original way: he also brings together
an elderly pair Of lovers, and ends by
playing poker with the merchant and
winning plenty Of his money. When
it is discovered ne is j ack Steele, the
gambler, and not the professor, he is
promptly ordered out of the house
but by magnificent game of bluff, he
subdues the merchant and wins the
girl of his choice. The play is full of
bright comedy and there is not a dull
moment during its presentation. 1t
also has a serious side aud some
beautiful and touching scenes.
The annual election OF officers and
directors of the New Orleans Pro-