The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-09-19
MANN WILL SEE
ROEBUCk COMEDY
MAYOR RICHARDSON ALSO WILL
ATTEND PREMIER PRODUCTION
AT THE ACADEMY.
MASONS TO TURN OUT
YOUTHFUL. PLAYWRIGHT WILL
PRESENT HIS NEW PLAY BE
FORE FRIENDLY AUDIENCE
TONIGHT.
MASONS TO TURN OUT

Governor William Hodges Mann
and Mayor David c. Richardson Will
/ both be present at the premier pro-
| duction of George Roebuck's new
play. He Thought He owned the
Town." in the Academy tonight
According TO the youthful author.
who Is a, playsmith. impressario.
/ leading comedian, writer OF the songs
and incidental music and chief speak
/ er OF the evening, It will be a gala
/ occasion.
/ Not only will the Governor Of the
/ State and the Mayor OF the capital
1 city be present in all their dignity.
/ hut many another person of prom-
hence Will figure IN the audience.
The Masons will be out in fun
force, for George Roebuck 10 the son
/ Of a Mason, and lived many years
in the Masonic Home. 1t was while
living at the home that he evolved
| his great scheme Of becoming per
son of note In the land.
To Get an Education.
First OF all. 1t was necessary TO
get an education. young Roehuck
figured, To get an education he must
get money To get money he must
do something. and George did. He
wrote a play. He called II Beatrice
! of the CumherlanGs, He had II
/ produced. ~ nut Is where HAcSt PtdN =
wrights fail, but George didn't. lie
hired the Academy and got out and
hustled He talked to the newspaper
men until he got them enthusiastic,
They told of George, his play. his
chase for the dollars that meant an
education, aud the public became IN
terested. His play was performed
before a packed house. George tried
to make a speech, but forgot II IN
the middle OF his most notable flight.
Play a Success.
However, his play was a success.
So was George, He went to Ran
dolph- Macon Academy, and incident
ally paid off the mortgage on his
widowed mothers farm.
This latter act left him with but a
small cash capital and only years
tuition In Randolph-Macon paid.
George found that he needed more
Imoney He decided to write another
IIplay, He ala so,
The new play was taken to Man
ager Leo Wise. of the Academy
Manager Wise did not ask George to
hire the theatre this trip. He told
him to go ahead, The theatrical man
liked the pluck Of the lad, SO George
engaged his company and began the
rehearsals of his new comedy lie
Thought He Owned the Town"
In the middle OF tho rehearsals
: ne found out that no would need nc
less than four songs. He sat dowr
and wrote the words. The music he
borrowed from Alma, Where Do You
I.ive?" and other popular pieces One
ragtime melody he evolved himself
This latter he took to Mr., Jay Dona-
hue, of the Richmond Conservatory
of Music, and that obliging young
. man harmonized it for him. George
was now author. composer and play
wright as well as leading comedian,
record unapproached by no other
save George Conan, who also was a
juvenile wonder.
Suffrage His Theme
Just to show that he is right ur
with the times. the young Firginian
took for the theme of his new COM
edy tho suffrage question and trust
lie made the leading character a
youth who Incorporates himself and
sells the shares TO the highest bidder
A band OF suffragettes get control OF
the majority Of the shares, and the
Incorporated youth becomes human
| megaphone for votes for women. Ills
adventures run through four acts
Whether they are interesting Will DC
decided by the Academy audience
to- night, :.
At any rate It looks now as u
| George will realize enough to pay
his way through Randolph Macon
and possibly through an universit!
| afterward In the opinion OF all whe
have learned his story. he deserves
| his success