The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-08-06
FARGO oPERAHousE.


An announcement which should prove
OF unusual import is that at the Fargo
operahouse next Saturday evening, Mrs.
F1ske will be seen with her supporting
Manhattan Co. In her famous play of
Becky Sharp.
Of all the parts created by Mrs,
Fiske, Americas most distinguished
actress, she is the most loved for her
totally fascinating portrayal of Becky
Sharp. William Makepeace Thackeray's
immortal novel Vanity Fair a com
pendulum of human frivolities, had been
dramatized before with but little sue
cess, but now sustained by the genius
of Mrs. Fiske, Langdon MitchelPs com
edy has become as famous in America
as the book itself.
In this season Of nondescript dra-
matte effort, 1t is a delightful antici-
7, patton, this opportunity to see this
most interesting comedy. IL is instruc-
time also, for Becky Sharp is now
classic of the American stage and one
of which we may we'll boast. 1t calls
forth every phase of Mrs Fiske's won
derfully wide and delicate art; makes
demands upon the supporting company
that few, If any, organizations other
than the Manhattan Co. could meet.
and as an example of perfection in
stage management and production
stands among the most notable
achievements OF recent years.
Probably the most vivid stage pic
ture that has been seen in this coun-
try is the famous ball room at Brus-
sells in Becky Sharp. Much of the ro-
nance of the Napoleonic wars conferred
about the memorable function at which
the pride of English soldiery danced
the morning in while waiting for news
of the arch enemy. The military uni
forms of the period were the most bril-
liant In Coloring that the army had
ever known and the toilettes of the la
dies were in extravagant keeping. All
the civilized world was military and
pomp and ceremony had reached the
extreme. The picture itself, the mass
i've ball room, the spectacle within, the
amending dance, the oderlies rushing
to and fro, the stealthy careworn aides
carrying orders among WellIngtons
generals, the nonchalance of the offic-
ers anxious only to conceal their con-
Germ from the ladies and finally the dis
tant rumble of Napoleon's guns, the
resounding blasts of the assembly bu-
giles, the farewells of the officers, the
anguish of the women, who knew in
their hearts that Napoleon had returned
from Elba to fight to the death with
their loved Ones all serve as the genesis |
of scene wonderful in its potentiali- |
ties
How splendidly Mr.. and Mrs. Fiske |
staged this scene Is now a matter of |
American stage history. 1t was a rev.
elation in its perfect details, its lack |
OF exaggeration and its tense natural |
ism. Rarely has there been so per-
feet an exhibition of stage direction /
and discretion and that the interpre-
tive excellence of the cast is equal in |
every way to the spectacular effective
ness Of the production is proven by the /
fact that during Mrs, Fisk's recent en-
gagement at the Lyceum theatre, New |
York, 1t was hailed at the most perfect /
body of players ever banded together in I
this country.
Ever since its organization as a per-
manent group of players to support
Mrs. Fiske, we have come to look on
the Manhattan Co. as the standard of