The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-09
David Belasco's "The Girl of the Gold
en- West"


David BeIasco's "The Girl of the Gold
en- West"
David Belasco's own company in his
great play. THE Girl of the Golden
Vest will be presented here at the JEFF
ferson theatre Wednesday matinee and
night. The theme of this story Is of the
west, in the days of 40, with scenes laid
in California. Mr.. Belasco is himself q
native of California. and writes of and
from the heart. The scenes of the play
are such as he saw and the people are
such as he knew. This text, found In an
early history of California, Is the one
which. as dramatist, he has striven to
realize:
"In those strange days people coming
from, heaven knows where, Joined forces
in that far western land, and, according
to the rude custom of the camp, their
very names were soon lost and unrecord-
ed and here they. struggled. laughed.
Eambled, cursed, killed, loved and worked
out their strange destinies in manner
incredible to US of today. OF one thing
only are we sure-they lived"
David Belasco, q name synonymous
with perfection in dramatic art, has in
this offering given q picture of a land
almost unknown to the dramatist In
New York, where '~rhe Girl Of tho Golden
West ran continuously at the Belasco
theatre for two years. and in the few
other cities that have thus far witnessed
the play 1t scored veritable triumph,
and success of the most substantial char
acter has once more perched upon Mr..
Belasco's banner. The critics OF the cities
named are enthusiastic in their indorse-
ment of the play as the pinnacle Of Mr..
Belasco's career. In Washington, before
the most brilliant and representative au-
dience ever assembled in the Capital City,
oixyy1
legations and cabinet members, together
with others prominent in social, army
and navy life, 1.-THE Girl of the Golden
West won q triumph such as has been
accorded few plays on record In that
city.
The acts of .The Girl Of the Golden
West are four in number. The first
passes in the Polka saloon at IL O'Clock
midnight and here the Girl meets the
Stranger. The second act shows the in
terror of the simple cabin home of the
Girl at o'clock in the morning Act
three pictures the dance hall of the Polka
. few days later. and the last pictures
the prairies at dawn. 1t IL here that Mr..
Belasco Is said to have provided his most
striking demonstration Of "the poetry of
light"
She is known as the girl, this strange,
beautiful. untamed child of the west, who
runs the Polka saloon, grows up un-
changed in the society OF uncouth men.
and who uses ''cuss words because It
is the habit of her surroundings.
The seat sale for THE Girl of the
Golden West" opens tomorrow morning
1T Q o'clock.
1.-THE Cat and the Fiddle"
The attraction at the Jefferson theatre
Thursday, matinee and night, win be
the pronounced success and beautifully
staged musical extravaganza. "The Cat
and the Fiddle which has scored se-
ries Of trfumphs in all tho larger cities
fhrouRhout the United States and Cam
ada the past three seasons. There 10
nothing small about this production from
III magnincsnfly equipped stage aocesso-
rtes and mechanical effects to t1se lsrge
and capable company with its well
trained beauty chorus.
Tho Cat and the Fiddle" II ON the or
~ d ~4he wizard o. On The Top
- ~ ytm4af AbaAss \ he Woedsr