The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-02-11

Pleased Immense Audience at the
Grand Last Evening.
"THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE"

Florence Roberts and her excellent
company in The House of Bondage"
pleased an immense audience at the
Grand last evening. the play and
players comparing favorably with any
thing seen here this season, including
"The Man OF the Hour" and Paid in
Full" The piece is a new one to Os-
den play goers and may be called an
exceptionally strong one.
It treats OF four people. two OF
whom are bound by the ties of mntri-
mony to other than the objects OF
their affections. One. the man. Is en-
crossed with his ambitions and is led
on by a woman whose influence sup
plies him with that which he covets
position and fame. The woman,
aware of her husbands intrigueS.
struggles for a time against her love
for q celebrated surgeon, but, seeing
nothing in store for her but humili-
alton and neglect, finally abandons
herself. heart and soul, to the man
who Is her ideal The surgeon strug-
giles against his affections for the wife
and Is subsequently placed in the try
ing position of the savior of the hus-
perform a serious surgical operation.
The ethics of his profession remain
strong within him and his skill and
care result in the return to health OF
the patient The affairs of the four
principals then reach the breaking
point and terminate in the elevation
OF the husband to the office he seeks,
end a separation from the wife whose
value he learns and realizes only too
late.
Miss Roberts was seen to excellent
effect throughout the piece. The part
demands great self-control and an air
Of suppressed feeling and intensity
which an artist alone can give. There
are none Of the outbursts OF emotion
which have characterized many of the
plays IN which Miss Roberts has
starred, the effects being gained moro
through intensity of thought and sup
pressed emotion.
The supporting players, while few in
number. were adequate In every way.
Arthur Forrest, as Sir Vincent Mere
dyth. the husband. was very strong.
His long training In the heavy roles
OF Mansfield productions has given
him poise and presence which ad-
mirably fits him for the role OF the
English peer. There was less OF the
emptiness OF character and purpose
so common with characterizations OF
this sort Mr.. Forests Interpretation
giving the character a considerable
amount of weight and strength OF
mind In spite of the shallowness OF
soul at all times apparent Mr.. For
rest will be remembered for his Mark
Antony In Mansf1eld's mammoth
production of julius Caesar. He orig
mated the part Of Patronius in the
first big Whitney production of Quo
Vadis. played the duke in Manstields
Monsieur Beaucaire," did the prince
IN Beau Brummel," and was leading
man In Mrs. Fisk's production OF
'RosmerSholm."
Thurlow Bergen as Paul Bertrand,
the surgeon. was excellent. His voice,
presence, and Interpretation OF details,
could hardly have been better In this
difficult role. Mr.. Bergen has been
with Miss Roberts for several sea-
sons. and will be remembered for his
good work In "Zira' last year, his
part being that OF the Rev. Gordon
Clavering. MI, Bergen has been iden-
tlled prominently with many OF the
leading stars OF the country, inc,ud-
ing Nat Goodwin, Blanche Walsh, An
ME Russell, and others. He was cast