The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-06

end of two seasons and part of an
other of the first successful stock COM
pany in Topeka.
The present North Bros. stock COM
pany has been here since September,
1909, giving a different bill each week
for the two seasons. The preceding
spring, the other North stock company
closed the season after a few weeks
successful run at the Novelty Prior,
travelling repertoire companies, giving
a different play each night or on alter
nate nights, showed at the old Craw-
ford house, which is now the CONNER
ciaI block. Among this brand was the
Armin players in which Walter Armin
was the manager and it was a good
company, too. 1t may be rem embered
that large rat appeared on the stage
right in front of the woman star of the
troupe one evening, but she didn't
even vince and went right on with her
part.
A day or two later, while this com
pany was rehearsing in the morning,
a plumber with a torch looked for
gas leak. He found it and an explo-
sion shook the building and set it on
fire. The opera house was ruined. No
lives were lost.
This was a day or two before the
close of the season of 1906. About
this time the CraWfords, the popular
theater people of Topeka, were plan
ming on getting companies to play
here two or three weeks at a, time,
with alternate bills, instead of the
proverbal ''entire change of program
every night" They were feeling their
way toward the introduction of stock
in Topeka.
However, after the Crawford house
burned their plans did not materialize.
The following season saw the usual
run of onenighters and repertoire
companies, all playing at the Grand.
Enter the Majestic.
The Majestic and Novelty were
built in the spring of 1907 Until the
spring of 1909 several different COM
panies styling themselves stock" ap-
peared at these theaters. Among
others We're the Woolfords.
In December, 1908, and January,
1909, the Boston Ideal stock company
had a several weeks run at the Ma
jestic. Then came the ReddickS who
were here for few weeks This COM
pany will be remembered by many by
the play 1.-The Village Sexton
In the meantime. the Crawfords had
their "ear to the ground" as the poll
ticians say and knew the signs of the
times. They decided that Topeka was
ripe for a permanent stock.
Now it came to pass that certain
company known as North Bros Stock
Company" was playing at the Lyric
theater in St Joe. The Crawfords had
some interest in this theater. The
company looked good to the Topeka
theater men and they straight way
began to enter into negotiations with
them to come here. Tho Norths were
not as confident of their being success
full in Topeka as politician is of his
election the night before the polls.
| They did not think that Topeka would
be ready for a. permanent institution
| in the way of theatrical stock. How
| he eft iC
\ and felt that then was the accepted
time and the Norths were the chosen
ones to start real stock in Topeka.
| Had not the other companies, pre-
ceding them, the Boston Ideal for
! instance, played weekly bills to crowd
ed houses? Roy Crawford was willing
to bet a cotton necktie against a silk
dress that the Norths would find To-
peka land with milk anC honey If
they would only come
| Then Came NOrtIls
So it happened that On April 5,
| 1909, the North Brothers opened at
| the Novelty with when We Were
Twenty One." f. c. Carter. now man