The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-02
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

/ Robert Edeson. who has host oil
| friends and admirers in this city. was
seen for the first time in bis new
play. The Call OF the North" in the
! Detroit opera house Monday evening
The play provides an extremely enec'
tive role for Mr. Edeson, and Is the
work of George Broadhurst, author oi
The Man OF the Hour" II Is oased
on Steward Edward Whites story,
E"Coniurors House" which was one OIL
the great successes and known as one
Of the best selling books before the
public.
The action OF the play has TO 90
with the love and adventures or one
Ned Trent. an American free trader
who risks his life defying the orders
OF the Hudson Bay company. All OF
the scenes are laid In this territory
in the northwestern part or Canada
and each bears the tang or the rough
and ready life OF that section. Inc
trading station where the scene opens
is laid near the extreme northern
boundary OF Canada, 500 miles beyond
the outposts OF present civilization
Trent Journeys TO this primitive Wild.
erness. ostensibly for the purpose OF
trading but really TO avenge the muir
der OF his father. He is captured and
charged with trespassing on the lanus
OF the powerful Hudson Bay company
that organization ruling the wnoIe ter-
ritory with band OF iron.
Trent is about TO be sent out INTO
the trackless forest. without 1000 or
provisions, or even a rifle TO deIehd
himself TO meet the more polite FORM
OF death that is melted out to all who
transgress the laws OF the company
when he attracts the attention OF the
daughter Of the factor OF the trading
most The girl. who has lived all her
life with only her father and the
rough traders for companions. falls la
love with Trent and furnishes him
with rifle.
The manner in which the plot Is de
veloped produces many exciting CON-
plications which result OF course. hap
pily for all concerned just before the
final curtain.
Mr.. Blossoms impersonation OF the
character OF Ned Trent Is an admira-
BILE piece OF acting, although there are
not the opportunities for az fine hero
les as there are In his previous sue
cess, "Strongheart." The woodsman's
happy .go-lucky daredevil spirit are
splendidly portrayed by Mr. Edeson
and the whole play is a study OF uu-
usual interest for those who believe
In living close to nature.
People in all parts or the United
States as well as the old country are
reading and thinking of the POSSIBLE
ties OF this great territory. and Il Is
| said that The Call of the North has
hdone its share i'm intensifying the de.
sire 10 know more OF the conditions
under which the pioneers OF that To-
cality must live.
rhe production IS quite an elabor'
ate one and the stage setting Ia the
third act, showing the huge trees I'm a
forest by moonlight is exceptionally
fine.
Mr.. Edeson is supported by a ca
caple company that includes Ann Muir
dock. n girlish actress OF pleasing per
sonality. in the role of the heroine
Beatrice Prentice as Julie Bagneau
who demonstrated no little ability In
/ poTtraying the Frencf-6anadian char
acter; Naude Knowlton as Mrs BrOc
ton; Albert McGovern as Rodmar
Rand. and Joseph Rawley a. -Ae-e4
gan. A happy bit OF character work
Is done " Spottlswood Aiken snd