The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-22
Attic l1 S

Paid In Full" Eugene Walters
great play of contemporary American
life, which was presented at the Grand
earlier in the season. has been seen
here again with another cast, at the
theater again last night and is the
bill for tonight
The company which was here before
was headed by Guy Bates Post and
Miss Clara Blandick was the leading
woman 1t was undoubtedly superior to
the present one in some respects al
though this one includes some excep-
tionalIy good players and the produc-
tion in every way is worthy and inter
csting. If you have never seen Paid
In Full don't put it off any longer
No better play has ever been written
by an American and this is not the
opinion of one snip of reporter in
topeka, Kansas, but the verdict OF
competent criticism throughout this
country.
The London production of Paid In
Full was not a success The British
ers didn't like it and it was taken
off after a short run. Its failure is
unaccountable, for although the play
begins in Harlem fat and never gets
away from the Harlem atmosphere, it's
appeal would seem to be universal and
one would think it might have equal
application and relevancy in Blooms
| bury and Mayfair, Parkdaae and
Rhinestone avenue Paid In Full'
characterizations. so true in all its es-
iSential details, its drama so enforced
and its situations SO convincing that it
grips and thrills like personal expert
ence. The most jaded theater-goer has
many moments in its four acts when
he forgets that he is in a playhouse
and this is surely the supreme test of
play and actors.
| Mr.. William L. Gibson, in the grace
less role OF Joseph Brooks, gives a
strong delineation of the most master
ly character of recent American drama.
| 1t must have been this typical crouch,
Brooks, who made the managers shy
at Mr.. Walters play the two or three
years he was hawking it around among
them unsuccessfully. Perhaps they
thought 1t was no use trying to force
| this wholesome Illustration of old
/ fashioned and almost forgotten prin-
ciples, upon a public which had been
eating the half-bake political and
economical rantings of plays like The
| Lion and the Mouse and The Man of
the Hour. And yet Brooks proved to
| be master stroke and the popularity
of Paid In FUR has shown that we
| still believe, as a people, in the doc
trine, und!sputed in the early days OF
the Republic, that success in this land
of the free and home of the brave, is
largely a question of personal ability
and endeavor and that. like happiness
il is within us. Mr.. Gibson Brooks is
faithfully worked out to the last detail
With Keen sense OF us dramatic var
ues and is a portrayal not soon to be
| forgotten.
| Mr.. Walter does not believe in the
onem man play and Paid In Full one
might almost say, has three leading
roles That picturesque old brute
Captain Williams, is as striking and
powerful an imaginary projection as
Brooks, and "Jimpsy'' Smith is no saw
/ dust hero, but a flesh and blood char
acterization. Mr.. Scott Siggins is the
| Captain Williams of this company and
brings to the role the repelling brutality
and the compelling vigor, the rugged
exterior and the fine flashes of splend-
| id generosity and reverence which il
! demands. Mr.. Albert Browns limp
sy is a delightful study, of many fine
| touches Miss Sara Perry as Mrs
! Brooks, Miss Rose Snyder as Mrs
Harris and Miss Pauline Darling as
Beth complete a cast of much strength
and merit. A. F. ].