The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16
Classy Schiller Players at Bijou


 Class, spelled with a big "C' ex- pressed the personnel of the classy Schiller Players, which comes to the Biiou this week for long stay prob ably until the regular winter season commences in September.
 In the south there have been what are known as stock companies and then again there have been stock con- panies. but none of them have the edge in any particular on the com panv that Ed Schiller is sending to the Biiou. The principals are stars and co-stars in the big productions, and the lesser lights are people Of ex- perience and ability
 Miss Nora Shelby Is well remembered for her cleverness and ability as shown in "Cameo Kirby" while co-star this season with Dustin Farnum In the years gone by she has played several star parts and has had experience in several of the largest stock companies. among them the Castle Square in Bos- ton. She is young, talented and good looking, and her costumes are ex- pressed as dreams by the women.
 The ingenue, pretty Marie Grayber, has been with the Frohman forces for a long time-which in itself Is rec |ommendation enough for her. She looks the part. being both pretty and young; talented and graceful. . She has sent to Birmingham several large trunks full of the costumes and gowns she wore on Broadway this past season.
 Miss Carrie Hastings, who will play rnany of the character parts. Is now with the Lilly" company that is clos ing a successful season. on Broadway. She Is always certain of berth with David Belasco and has appeared in more than one of his most successful productions. Miss Ida Thomas, whose first part will be that of the squaw in "The Girl of the Golden West" Is talented and can play any part with ease. She has been leading woman with more than one production, and Mable Griffith Is we'll known to Bir- min gham and especially bi5ou patrons, for she was the mother in Tier Son" this season, and earlier than that ap- peared In the leading part in the Schil- Ter production of Paid in Full" which was said to be the nnest play and company of the Bijou season.
 So much for the women of the com uany-a pretty classy selection. For the leading parts will be Clifford Bruce. who is leading man with Gil. lette on Broadway, and whom MT. Gill; lette was very anxious to take to London for his season there. How ever, MT. Schiller had first call on the services of MT. Bruce and he comes to Birmingham. Another leading man will be Richard Thornton, for three years the leading man with Mrs. Les lie Carter, recommendation enough John Todd, stock actor of wide rep- utation, who will play the part of Jack Rance, the sheriff and gambler in 'sThe Girl of the Golden West;' Ray Gordon, the Sonora Jim of the first play: Rollo Lloyd, as Nick, the bar tender Howard Sidney as Billy Jack rabbit the Indian; Fred Winter in the important part of Jim Larkin, one of the characters, Forrest Seabury. in the character part of Jose Castro, ex-pa- drona of the bull fighters and the horse breaker: George Rollow as Trinadad Joe. Harry Thomas as Ashby: Ebert Benson as Sidney Duck; Gus Stone as lobe Wallace; J. III. Doyle as Hand some Charlie; Will Franke aa Happy Holiday, and Hsrbert Atfeld 'as Joe.
 There are IT people in the first play and the company will number that ,,,anv from the start. Others will be brought here for the other plays as they are needed and in all MT. Schil- Ter will have some 30 people in Bir- mingham this summer.
 Charles Fourton will be the manager of the company and Sol Dan. both of whom are well known, will be the press agent for the company.
 |f"The Girl of the Golden West" Be- .lasco's immortal drama of early Califor- nia days, will be the Schiller companys s first offeripg of the spring and summer stock season. Many Birmingham theatre