The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1910-02-11
A Fine Theatrical Attraction.

Graustark, comedy drama Of 70.
nance and adventure, was presented al
Reynolds Opera House last Friday night
to packed house
i The company came to Union City
heralded as an extraordinary offering
and left with no disappointment
j Graustark" is taken from the book,
which has recently had popular sale,
but like other works dramatized is con-
siderably abridged and adapted to stage
purposes. The work of dramatization
has, however, been done with consum-
ate skill and authority.
The company is one of the best seen
in Union City since the opening of Rey-
nolds Opera House. We speak of the
ensemble. There have been probably
better individual players, but the sue
cess OF a play means the selection of
suitable talent for given part, and this
was done to the very smallest part in
Graustark. In fact the work has been
staged and cast under the best standards
of theatrical management.
The play deals with the romance Of
Princess Yetive Of Graustark and a
young American, who meet while the
Princess is travelling in America as
Miss Guggenslocker. I" 1t is love
story which takes the American and his
friend to Graustark and many adven-
lures which involve entanglements be-
tween the Princess and her American
sutton. AS in the case of many novels
the American, after daring encounters
and miraculous escapes, finally wins
his princess and the glory Of American
manhood.
Isabel MacGregor was cast for the
Princess, and she was regally splendid
in the part. Her reading was dramatic
and effective and in personal appear
ance she looked the part. Mr.. Brierre
essayed the role OF the daring young.
American, to the delight OF the audi
ence, with native tact and spirit. His
friend, Mr.. McCabe, was an interesting
companion. Miss Gray was the count
ess and a most captivating one, with
chic and beauty. The maid of Miss
Goring was indeed altogether fetching
and the bell boy OF Mr.. Hargraves a
genuine hit. The play was considerably
Americanized with Sitzky's Bowery inn
ports, and the the skirt that looks good
to me-" A magnificent military imper-
sonation was the minister of police by
Mr.. Lewis, and the master Of intrigue
and knavery was done as Gabriel by
Mr.. belong. One of the finest bits of
acting was done by Mr.. Tarnley as the
bibulous and hauty prince. Faversham
or any of the stars could hardly do the
part better Even the minor cast, in
Guiding the guards and others, was in
talented hands. The staging OF the
play was troublesome, for the reason
that the scenery was built for larger
houses, but there was not hitch in the
dialogue or the climaxes. 1t was ex-
ceptionalIy smooth and spirited with a
spontaniety of comedy and thrilling in
cidents.
The scenery, by Castle & Harvey, the
great New York scenic artists, YVES the
most elaborate and expensive ever seen
in this city. The entire setting for the
play must have been purchased at an
enormous price 1t embraces copies of
famous military masterpieces and struc-
tural designs. 1t was transformation
which made the auditor feel that he or
she was enjoying one OF the standard
works in metropolitan theatre.
THE play is the thing, and Graus-
tark is the play, the Graustark Conn
pany the players. 1t was notable
in our theatrical world.
Neil Twomey was here Saturday
night with a dramtization of Mrs. Au-
gusta Evans first popular success, st.
Elmo. Mr.. Twomey is very good
actor himself, but the attraction IS quite
a contradistinction to the features of
success in Graustark In the first place
St. Elmo furnishes very little encour-
agement to those seeking to cultivate
the popular taste, and to appeal to a
cult would incur the assembling Of tall
emit not likely to be seen in Union City
With adequate stage management and
scenic equipment. The house was
however, more to see the play
han the players. st. Elmo was not
altogether what the audience had an
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