The Detroit times., 1910-09-06
1. . LOCAL
Tms j LAYHOUSES
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

AZ thC iiot VA 0A ~ W
make up theatrical season In De-
troit, and especially the new Detroit
with its half million of people. there
are few that leave such an impression
on the mind Of the confirmed play
goer as to cause them to be remem-
bered when the season Is over. AS
rule play Is forgotten as soon as
the next attraction has taken its place
on the boards. What gives every
promise of being one of the notable
exceptions is the offering selected by
the Detroit opera house management
to open the new season. 1t Is called
THE Member From Ozark" and is the
latest in long line of worthy con-
tributions from the pen of Augustus
Thomas. II was presented for the Sec
ond time on any stage in the Detroit,
Monday evening. the premiere per-
Torrance having been given in Par
sons opera house, Hartford, Conn,
Saturday night. and the occasion was
an suspicious one in every way. Conan
& Harris make the presentation.
That the play will be a success Is
already an assured fact IL its recep-
tion.- Monday night, can be taken as
a reliable index. 1t was a triumph in
which author and players divided hon.
ors, share and share alike. In response
TO insistent demands for Thomas"
and author" after the third act,
when he was spotted in one of the
boxes, Mr.. Thomas made happy lit
tie speech, thanking the audience for
its marked evidences of approval. In
the opinion of many of the first night
ers, Thomas has done his best work
in building THE Member From
Ozark" II Is more than a great play.
II Is an intimate picture OF the game
of politics as 1t is played today in our
state legislatures and in the halls of
congress. The author evidently has
written from close observation, for
his scenes and characters are drawn
with the utmost fidelity, and the In
side workings of the game are laid
bare without reservation and without
any suggestion that the details are
overdrawn.
Probably one of the most note
worthy stage pictures In the history
of Detroit theatricals and one that Is
destined to be long remembered, Is
that showing the Missouri legislature
in Joint session, balloting for a United
States senator. The dramatist has
tackled big job here and has made
good. or course, even the largest
stage has its limitations and 1t is i'm
possible, within the confines of the
Detroit's platform, to show more than
q small section of the legislative hall,
that portion in the immediate vicinity
of the speakers chair The sense OF
proportion is well sustained, however,
and, by stationing "supers" in the
audience to answer their names as the
roll is called the illusion that the
house of representatives extends back
into the theater becomes quite real.
1t is remarkable effect and striking
ly realistic.
AS inferred by the title, THE Mem
Der From Ozark" otherwise Desha
Poultney, is the central figure In the
story. The plot hinges on a bill he
has introduced, innocently enough, at
the request OF young woman lobby
list, to pave the way for the building
of a new railroad in the state. The
real purpose of the bill is to enable
unscrupulous capitalists, In league
with the gang" In the legislature. to
grab valuable mineral lands. The bill
passes both houses, but Gov. Holt be-
comes suspicious and withholds his
signature until he can investigate 1t.
The girl who has given the bill TO
Poultney turns out to be a tool OF the
sharpers and the senatorial gang. but
through love Of Gov. Holt, who is a
widower, she plays traitor to the
crowd and allies herself with the gov
ernor. Gov. Holt has an ambition to
be senator and the gang tries to
coerce him into signing the Poultney
bill by threatening his defeat, but the
executive defies them.
The legislators are deadlocked on
the senatorship when a page hands
Senator Barton, leader of Hollis op-
position, a paper containing an alleg-
ed statement from the governor open.
ly charging Barton with bribery. This
charge Is true enough but the gov
ernor did not make IL. The plotters
have contrived to get It In the paper
In the hope that II would SO arouse
Barton that he would kill Gov. Holt
on sight, for Barton is known as
desperate man when angry. The gang,
IL appears. stands in with the lieuten-
ant-governor and the bill will be safe
in his hands. Poultney. the governors
staunch friend and a warm admirer of
his pretty daughter, has been apprais-
ed Of the plot by Stella, the reformed
adventures. and holds himself I'm