Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1910-06-24
ATH0N STOCK COMPANY
MAKES A BIG HIT
The Opening of Summers Engage
ment Meets with Highest
Approval.

The Athon Stock company gave
their opening play In this city on
Thursday Of last week, when they
staged the play, "The Powers That
Be-" in manner which left no doubt
in the minds Of the large audience
present of their ability as actors Of
the highest order. The play was a
powerful one, requiring the most
skillful handling In order to carry
the play through to success, but in
every stage OF the performance the
acting was carried out to perfection
and everyone was unanimous In their
opinion that 1.-THE Powers That Be"
was one OF the most successful pro-
ductions ever staged in this city.
On Wednesday the three-act farce
comedy, Hello Bill' was the attrac-
tion for the evening and the players
were greeted by a full house, there
by showing their appreciation Of the
last attraction and demonstrating
their faith in the Athon Stock COM
pany in a most desirable manner.
We have had many farce comedies In
our town, but "Hello Bill" as staged
by this company Wednesday night
was the equal, II not really the best,
ever produced In the Grants Pass
opera house. Robert Athon, the
author Of he trouble, kept the
house in one continual round of
laughter. The ridiculous situations
In which he continually plunged him
self and his manner of extrlcating
himself at all times and cheerfully
duplicating "the other fellow" and
finally winning out to complete vic
tory, captivated his audience and
made him a favorite on the spot. Miss
Effie Johnson is at all times charm
ing, and her success as an actress is
unquestioned and the fact that she
IS a former Grants Pass girl makes
her all the more attractive to the
people in this city Wednesday for
the first time she appeared in the
specialties and her voice Of power
and sweetness thrilled her audience
and filled them with pride In the pos
session Of one so talented as she
clearly shows herself to be- even
though In that nights performance
she was handicapped by n severe
cold which made singing very diff
cult for the little lady Mr. Athon
is an artist and he is supported by a
company Of players Of the highest
class. William Howard Is an actor
Of ability, and in his first appear
ance here last week, he controlled one
of the leading parts, and won an en-
vlable place In the estimation Of his
hearers, and although he appeared
In a light part Wednesday, he proved
himself an artist. Bert Heyes as
General William Fuller was the right
man In the right place as the stately
and dignlfied general, and Miss Vir-
clnia Ellwood as his wife had no
trouble In enlisting the sympathy and
indignation Of the audience by her
perfect rendition Of the wronged and
deserted wife Arthur Neal as Dr.
Hastings took HIS character with per-
feet ease, and James Conway was a
decided success rs the lover OF Dor
othy Miss Dorothy Davis and Miss
Olga Grey became popular favoritce
with their first appearance at the
Grants Pass thenter, both ladies oc-
cupylng high places In their profes-
sion.
In addition 10 having n flrst-class
cast the Athon stock company manu-
features It's own speclal scenery,
which will anncar only IN the piece
for which II Is made The costumes
worn on, the stage are superb and In
rerfect taste with the surroundings.
Grants Pass Is fortunate In securing
such an up-to-date attraction for the
summer The manager Mr. zim-
mor, wishes 60 announce that no chill
dron IN arms will be admitted TO the
performances. Tho next attraction
will be on Friday evening, Jdly /,
when Sherlock Holmes, or the Sign
OF the Four will he staged