The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-03
Allie l1S S

Mr. Hanford, the same Charles B.
who is so familiar to Topeka theater
goers in ShakeSpearean roles, appeared
New Years night and pleased q good
house at the Grand as q comedian in
a modern play.
1.-The American Lord almost out
lines itself in the title. 1t is by
Broadhurst and Darcy, and the au-
typed American character, the COW
puncher, in typifying American peo-
pie. Mr.. Hartford as John Bruester,
the self-made possessor of most every
thing in and around Elkhorn, n. D.,
daily cursing the English noblemen,
praising unreservedlx a young ranch
man in love with his daughter until he
learns that the young man in reality
is of noble family and the possessor
of title, is suddenly apprised of the
fact that he himself is Lord Bruester
and the fact that he is found robs the
young ranchman of the title otherwise
falling to him
In this state of affairs, plain John
Bruester, who has just been launched
for congress, finally decides to go to
England and Americanize one corner
kof it, Thus the scene changes to Eng
fish estates where he finds a deadly
feud between his would-be son-in-
laws father Lord Wycherly, and his
own family. To add to the difficulty,
his own son falls in love with Lady
Felicia, Wycherly's daughter. and
climbs over the dividing wall, closed
for thirty years.
But the most pleasing and fun pro-
ducing love story is that of Lord
Miss Drofnah. Mrs. Westbrook, who
is a widow, has a ranch near Elkhorn,
and goes to England at the time John
Bruester goes
The fun of the play is to get all
three love affairs to a successful ter
mination and contrast the English and
American types. AS is usual, the types
are drawn severely. The result of the
play after having served its pur-
pose is we'll calculated to leave no
prejudices and the american Lord,
having shown a great magnanimity
and patched up the feud. leaves for
America, excusing himself by the
statement; that your ways are not our
ways
Outbursts of laughter in the audi
ence mark how successful was the
comedy Yet tears had way as the old
darkey servant of Bruester, Mr.. Har-
rison Crofford, pleaded with his mas
ter to return to his own land Miss
Louise White, as the daughter OF
Bruester, played a sweet American
sweetheart with especial grace and
beauty. Mr.. John MacGregor as An
drew MacDuffie the manager of the
Bruester estate, kept Scotland to the
fore to the delight of his hearers.
dict of the New Year audience to say
that Mr.. Hanford and Miss Drofnah,
with a good company, gave one OF
the most enjoyable comedies staged in
Topeka this season.
In the afternoon Mr. Hanford
played 1.-The Old Guard" as prelude
to the Tanning of the Shrew'' at the
matinee performance. Mr.. Hanford' S
Interpretation of Haversaek, an old
soldier of Napoleon's guard. was rev.
citation and delight to those of his
audience who had not seen him in
this, his most famous role. One for
gets all about the theater and the
stage while this old soldier sits in his
garnet and cries and laughs and raves
alternately over the memories that
come to him of Napoleon and the
great wars of France. Other actors
may rival and even surpass- Mr.. Han
ford in Shakespearean roles in either
comedy or tragedy. but as, Haversack
of the guard no actor living can ap-
proach him.