The Detroit times., 1911-09-07
JESSIE B0NsTELlE
TO RETURN IN 1872
Summer Engagement of Stock Com
pany So Successful That Twill
Become Annual Feature.

So successful in point OF cordial APP
probation and financial returns. has
been sthe engagement OF Miss Jessie
Bonstelle, In the Garrick theater, this
summer, that arrangements have been
made already for the third annual visit
In 1912.
i am more than pleased with all
that Detroit and It's people have given
me-" said Miss BonsteIle to The
Times, during the Tuesday afternoon
performance OF Camille" "I feel that
! have made many friends among
those In the audiences, and the SPLEEN
did reception given to all our plays
has proven the loyalty OF our public
and the fact that the work OF my
company has been appreciated. The
press, too. has been uniformly kind
and said the very incest things posi-
bic about US. am glad TO have the
opportunity to express my thanks in
this way"
Miss Bonstelle Is known as one or
the hardest working women on the
stage. No part Is too long for her to
study, no play too elaborate In cast and
scenic setting not to be considered by
her for stock production, She stages
all her own plays and gives her per-
sonal attention to the minutest detail
OF costumes, properties and stage bust.
ness. She knows all about the box
ONCE side as well as the situation be-
hind the scenes, and at every angle Is
an example OF the alert, capable Ann
erican business woman. That she 10
an artist In her profession is substan-
tally proven In review OF her sum-
mer season, In the Garrick, now draw
ing to close. She has essayed and
successfully portrayed tragedy and
comedy. the pure and the wanton, the
ingenue and the woman who has suf-
fered-all with intelligence, sympathy
and technic. The plays presented by
Miss Bonstelle during the past few
weeks have been the newest available
for stock use and with one or two ex-
ceptions practically new to Detroit
All have met with popular success.
I'm choosing Camille for the close
OF our engagement, was actuated by
a BIT OF sentiment, In a way" said
Miss Bonstelle II do not suppose
there ever was an actress who did not
wish. at one time or another In her
life, to play Camille, and while up to
the day / first appeared In the name
part, had never desired to do so. 1t
was the first star part ever had and
really gave me my first big start. II
was In Rochester, N. Y, and I was a
OF the Ralph Cummings stock
used to visit De-
troit, I believe-and after we had
starved to death for several weeks in
light comedies. It was decided to put
on Camille We all thought It was
the end OF things. I expected to play
a minor part, and when told I would
be cast for Camille l felt almost as
sad as a newspaper writer who, In
upon my selection said
like this: After seeing Miss
Bonstelle singing a coon song In
pink Dominoes" last week we shiver
to think OF her as Camille He was
not the only one who shivered, as
sure you. had seen a number OF
well-known actresses play the part.
but had not even read the book my
self. had wellestablished notion
In my head, however, that IL / ever
played the part 1t would not be along
the lines OF animalism which most
actresses give to 1t, so Immediately
set to work to read everything could
find on Dumas own idea and that OF
his commentators on the personality
and character OF Camille. The news
paper writer I referred TO a moment
ago, In the course Of a column and q
half review following my first per-
Torrance said: That was all could
ask in praise OF my conception and
At the close of the stock engage
ment Saturday evening, Miss Bonstelle
will go to Toledo for the opening per-
Torrance OF Satan Sanderson," in
which Norman Hackett. of Detroit, il
to star and which was dramatized by
three Detroiters, Mrs. James o. Murfin,
Miss Frances Sibley and Kirkland B.
Miss Bonstelle staged and
rehearsed the piece for z. d. Stair,
under whose management Mr.. Hackett
will be.
Il believe there is a good piece OF
property In Satan Sander
SON and look for genuine success"
said Miss Bonstelle. II will be with
the company, more or less, for the
next two weeks, making any changes
and will keep my rented
house, In Detroit, until the end OF the
month. Then 1-go to Buffalo for a
couple of weeks to look over play
that Buffalo newspaper woman is get
ting into shape for me and then--well.
II certain personal affairs adjust them
selves as hope, will work all sea-
son on the road and return to my