The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-30
YOUNG ROEBUCK THINKS
IT'S A GOOD OLD WORLD
Packed House ree Premiere Performance of his Play Beatrice
of the Cumberands'-Y nthful Author Makes Speech
Telling Why He Did It,

Persons who do not believe that
this is a good old world should con-
suit George Eoebuck, aged seventeen,
who hereafter in signing his name will
always append the proud title, play
write"
Young George Is the author OF
beatrice of the Cum berlands,' a
four-sct melodrama dealing with love,
hate and cupidity, which was pro-
duced at the Academy OF Music Thurs
day night.
There may have been a vacant seat
in the theatre when the curtain went
up, but If this was so. that seat must
have been hidden in the shadow cast
by some monstrously fat person. AT
any rate. it was not visible to the
naked eye Indeed, some spectators
were glad of the chance to witness
the production standing
Young George attributes the crowds
TO the notices given him by newspa-
pers. But all the notices in the
world. while they may serve to draw
crowds. cannot also cause those
crowds to go home pleased. The lat
ter duty rests with the person de-
livering the goods. which person this
instance was George Roebuck. aided
by his able corps of Thespians.
And George and his actor folk did
send the big crowd home in a good
humor. Beatrice, as predicted by
Charles T.. Blaney, had proved itself
the goods"
1t was a mighty happy young man
who looked out over the house from a
box Just before the curtain went up.
He was not bit nervous. either. He
had been attending the daily rehear-
sails of his" company for several
I
written with his pen. and he knew
what they could do with those lines.
He was not disappointed. Neither
were the spectators--whlcn Is more
| to the point
Before the evening had ended,
George made speech to the crow d.
HE had already written out lengthy
peroration, but at the last moment
he decided that it was no use And
SO he bowed. and grinned, and then
bowed again. and finally informed the
audience that its kindness was appre
ciated. Then he assured all present
, that he had no false ideas about his
work being the Great American
Drama" He had written ii and got
ten it produced not to educate the
theatergoing public, ne said, but for
the money
At this point George paused to take
a breath and the crowd seized the
| opportunity to show Just how loudly
! it could applaud. George in his turn
seized the opportunity to make a get
away.
All The members of the cast did both
then. selves and their friends most
( proud" Miss Marie Anderson, in the
| title role of Beatrice" won round after
| round OF applause. Herbert Curtis, as
| Billy Fields" the boy from the outer
| world. who loves Beatrice SO well that
! he quits trying to winher her because
he realizes his own unworthiness, was
/ also called before the curtain by
/ strenuous hand clspping. A. w
| Folkes, a brother of Commonwea .
! Attorney Folkes, surprised the latter
official with his dramatic ability,
/ Young Folkes took the part OF Lash
| Wright" chum of Billy Fields,
Miss Virginia Garden, a 5 Mrs. Mar
/ tina Leighton, mother of Beatrice, por-
trayed that estimable old lady most
admirably. George Schleiser had two
roles. one that of the father of Beat
rice, and later, after the lamentable
demise OF that old gentleman at the
close OF the first act. that of sheriff
He performed creditably.
The young author isn't bit pulled
up over his success. He In very proud.
OF course. as is his mother. as is also
the real Beatrice" both of whom wit
messed the production from box.
George. however, says he knows that
there is a great deal he doesn't know.
and that he intends learning II as soon
AS he can.
Meanwhile, on Friday George placed
several hundred dollars OF profit in
, bank. and then began experimenting