The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-13

1
aware that the terminus has been
| reached.
| The play is most admirably suited to
( Mrs. Fiske. Her part calls for quick
changes of thought and expression and
| she meets the requirements like the
artist she is. She gave an ideal por-
| trayal of a woman who was socially
ambitious. principally for her own
worldly sake, but with also a sister
| " regard for what she considers the
best for violet" her sister. Her part
called for quick transition of tone
from the ultra affected English to the
harsh twang of Missionary Loop, Ind
But she took the switches without any
collisions. She has been accused of
indistinctness of speech and it has
been said that her voice has metal
lie quality and lack of sorority which
makes its range a trifle short How
ever she sounded her r. in charmed
and did not say "chawmed" or even
''cha-a-med" in her part. If any one
has license to mispronounce the word
or pronounce is indistinctly 1T would
be a New Yoika," especially when
giving an imitation of the affected
with the possible exception of the
rapid-fire chatter with which she
drives "Peter Swallow to retreat
every word was clearly heard in the
back row.
She was given a good hand when
she made her entrance in the first
act She wore gown of-well man
couldn't say, but it was what wo-
man would call "a dream, don't you
know" Truly, Mrs. F,iske was at her
best in the role of a woman who tries
to marry her sister off without reveal
ing her past.
The part of the sister. Violet De
Sale" taken by Miss Kathlene Mac
to the dominant part was acted with a
grace which left nothing to be desired
Miss MacDoll wore a simple pale blue
gown all through the play. 1t viii ne
noted that there was no marked
changes of costume on the bill.
Malcolm Duncan as Peter Swallow
gave Mrs. Fisl1e strong support.
The work of F1orine Arnold as Mrs.
De Salle'' was remarkably good. Her
part of the mother who would give
away the family history was well re-
ceived She has long been with Mrs.
F1ske. She had the part of Miss
Crawley in Becky Sharp. And Rather
inc Emmett, as Miss Rawson,' is also a
good character woman. HarryStephenSon
who had the part of Justin Rawson is a
veteran of the Ffske forces He had
the part of Rawdon Crawley in Becky
sharp. D. Owen Mech, who was Stepn-
en- Leavitt. was also seen in Becky.
The S. r. o. sign was not needed. In
fact there was a wedge OF empty seats
from the first row to five rows back,
Cle apex Oh IuE WS0SS OClAl5 eNOOuS vi
ter of the fiji row. A thin quadraia-
teral was formed by empty seats On
either side Of the down stairs The bal
cony was fairly well filled.
The cast follows: Justin RaWson,
Henry Stephenson; Miss Rawson. his
sister, Katherine Emmet; Geoffrey
Rawson, his younger son, George ID.
Parker; Anthony Rawson. his elder
son, William H. Boyd; Stephen LeaVitt.
r. owen Mech; Mrs. stephen Leavitt,
Edith Barker; Peter Swallow, Malcolr:l
Duncan; Kitson, Cyril Young; Mrs. De
Sale. Florine Arnold; Mrs. Bumpstead-
Leigh. Mrs. Fiske; Violet De Sale
KathIene MacDonell; Nina, Helena Van
Brugh.
Tim Murphy. who appeared in MI.
Opp here last fall has been with the
Fiske company for five weeks. How
ever, he is in New York preparing n
tour with his own company to begin
next August and on that account did not
come with the company. He mad the
part of Peter Swallow following Henry
E. Dixey, the original Peter. The part
is now taken by Malcolm Duncan, a
clever young actor who is as unlike
Mr.. Murphy as possible
A man approached Guy Smith, man
ager of the company as he was stand
ing in the lobby of the Grand.
Are you Mr.. Smith," he asked
Il am" was the reply. The man
then gave his card. He was John Bo-
land Of Chicago, q salesman. Mr.. 30
land stated that he had attended the
same school in the east with MI X:
Owen Mech. who takes the part OIL
stephen Leavitt," and wished to see
him. His request was granted.
Mr. Mech was always writing plays
and acting in plays when he was il
college" said Mr.. Boland. He came
from a family of theatrical people. |
happened to be in Topeka tonlgnt ana
knew he was the company.
According to Mr.. Smith plans have
been announced and the site has been
bought for new New Theater in New
York on Forty-flfth street near Broad-
way. 1t is to be finished a year from
September. The first New Theater was
built with the idea of giving the best
plays and operas at prices within the
reach of all. However, it was found
that the building was too large Tor
drama and too small for operas. The
new New Theater will be designed for
drama only and an advisory commit
tee will select the plays.
Mr. Smith has been with the F1ske
company for Is years. He reminds q
person in his appearance and genial
way Of Albert Patte en-, superin'enoen'
Mrs. Bumpstead-Leigh in the first act
saws to her sister who contenplates
marrying for love: Turtle doves never
get anywhere. They always root on the
ridge pole" Deep philosophy. Also
maybe a valuable poultry note.
The company left for Wichita on the
Santa Fe about midnight. Some quick
packing.
A scenic piano painted grey to har-
monte with the finish of the room was
noticeable. Uncommon sight, grey
piano.
The Grand will be dark until August
Is, when it will be reopened by Henry
woodruff in The Prince of Tonight y
Mr. woodruff will revive this musical
comedy IN which ne has already been
seen in Topeka.
At the Novelty.
IL