The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-08
VISIT MISS KlRKE.
For First Time, Parents See a
Daughter as Prima Donna.
Forty Kansas City Friends Give
LuncheOns at National.
MINISTER In THE CAST
Tells of Experiences Since Join
ing "A Stubborn Cinderella.
Company Now on Way to Coast
Second Time This Season.

Mr.. and Mrs. ]. NJ. Kirke, 1913 East
Fourteenth street, parents of Miss
Hazel Kirke, prima donna in the "a
Stubborn Cinderella company, visited
in Topeka over night after they had at
tended the presentation of the musical
comedy at the Grand theater While
here Miss Kirke's parents for the first
time saw her in her prima donna role.
A dinner party for Miss Kirke was
given at 6 o'clock in the evening at
the National hotel After the show a
luncheon party was given.
Miss Kirke, who still is only a girl,
then recalled her home life in Kansas
City where she has lived practically
since childhood. There she studied
music and dramatic art, working for a
while in the woodward Stock COM
pany, after which she went on a con-
cert tour. Last season she was given
part in the company starring Grace
Van Studdiford and it was there that
she was selected by Charles A. Goethels
to head this seasons company of "a
Stubborn Cinderella
This is the first real part 1 ever
have had said Miss Kirke. in referring
to her prima donna role. that of Lady
Leslie, land 1 like it SO much. First
of all, l dearly love Lady Leslie and
never tire of her, then every member
of the company works SO hard to help
me, the public seems to like my work
and you know that is what counts with
the managers.
While on a Canadian tour recently,
Miss Kirke was awarded first honorS
for facing the ball' in lacrosse in a
contest between the Montreal team and
the New Westminster team. She is the
first American girl ever accorded that
honor, which is jealously guarded
among the select set of Canadians.
Minister likes TheatricaIs.
Dudley c. FoSher, who in August re-
signed as pastor of the Ryder Memorial
church, Chicago, to JOIN the "A Stub
born Cinderella cast, still is appearing
in the company and according to his
own statement likes theatrical work.
Fosher and his wife, who is a petite
little woman in the chorus, wearing the
most abbreviated of skirts, have learn
ed the trials and difficulties of theat-
rical folk since their haIf-Season of
one-night stands has been completed.
In the first act F'osher appears as the
college president and plays the
straight part in a manner that leaves
nothing to be asked, in fact his is an
| Interpretation that should make other
straight" actors enviouS. Later he
doubles as the Indian chief, and though
he ''gets by his appearance is not so
strong. Mrs. Fosher, who at the be-
ginning of the seasons was unable to
| follow the other chorus girls in their
these defects to a marked extent.
FoSher, in telling of his stage eX-
! perience, related an incident at Racine,
| Wis, when the company first started
| on the road this season
I'VE had been in Racine two days re-
| hearsing parts and dress rehearsal was
| to be held on Saturday night" said
Fosher, @but a burleSque show had been
| billed and it was midnight before the
stage was cleared for the final rehear-
| ierl,f ~ 1naly in
the morning the company drilled. Then
! the company was dismissed and reap
| pearance ordered for L o'clock in the
| afternoon.
"Only five hours sleep did we get.
/ That was our first real theatrical ex-
perience. There have been others since,
all of them new to US, but we haven't
any fault to find, in fact we are quite
| pleased with the stage and 1 always
have had a desire for il"
On Their Second Coast Trip.
After a trip through the southwest
Mr. Goetler, the manager, now will
take the company back to the coast
| by way of Denver. This will the Sec
| ond trip to the coast this season
Following the completion of the dates
| booked in that section "a Stubborn
| Cinderella will go into the Alberta
and Saskatchewan country of Canada
closing in Quebec in April. Mr.. Goet-
tier then will join the Miller Brothers
& Arlington "1O1 Ranch Wild West
show He will have a berth in the
auditing department. w. E. Burlock
advance agent for "a Stubborn Gin
dereIla,' also will be with the "101
Ranch.'' He will have charge of the
publicity work.
Missing in the cast of the present
company is Charles Herbert Wilson.
native of Dewitt county, Illinois
Until this season he has played the
part of the eccentric engineer and as
| a type character hardly could be ex-
| celIed. He now is in New York in
vaudeville with Homer B. Mason. His
part in "a stubborn Cinderella il
| taken by Edward Burns.
E. Copit Albertson is in the role
created by John Barrymore, that OF
Mac" and Linford r. Jefferson plays
the part of Leonardo. Bobbie Wagner
| appears as Fat" one of the laughablt
| characters in the play, which taken OF
| the whole has much better company
than the one on the road last season
| A large audience enjoyed the produc-
ton last night.
A coincidence was recalled to the
mind of Roy Crawford. manager o.
the Grand. when the failure of the
| gas supply necessitated that the fur
mace be started in order to warm the
house for the matinee presentation
| ga stubborn Cinderella played her'
on the same date last year and the
gas supply failed at that time. How
| ever, the house remained cold las
| wear as it was impossible to heat the
furnace in time to give real warmth.