Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-09-18
THE FORMAL OPENING
Grand Opera House to Begin Season
Next Tuesday.
'GRAUsTARK" OPENING PLAY.
Theatre Has Been Completely Re-
finished, Redecorated and Re-
carpeted During Summer.

Vicinity step into the Grand opera
house next Tuesday evening, Sept
Oath, to attend the formal opening
of the theatrical season in Decorah,
they will step into one of the pref
tiest and most complete theatres in
Iowa. During the summer it has
been thoroughly remodeled. A new
slate roof, newly decorated and fin
ished throughout, new carpets, cur
tains and electric fixtures combine in
making it place of beauty as we'll
as comfort and convenience.
Desiring to inaugurate the season
with an attraction that would appeal
to the masses and set a high stand
ard for the coming season, the man
agement selected "Graustark" from
a large list of bookings submitted for
the opening.
When George Barr McCutcheon
wrote "Graustark, he gave to the
novel reading public, romance as
absorbing and interesting as any fic-
tion ever written. The story of a
mythical kindgom appealed to more
than the average reader of novels,
and theatregoers of Decorah will
have the opportunity of witnessing
the dramatization and adoption of
same by Grace Hayward.
The story, and probably there are
a few who have not read it, is faith
fully followed in it's presentation in
dramatic form. The first act brings
Grenfall Lorry, the American, and
his friend, Harry Anguish, to Edel-
weiss, Graustark, in search of the
fair Miss Guggenslocker" whom
Lorry met in America They over
hear plot to abduct the ruling
princess of Graustark. In the second
act, the abduction plot is foiled by
tie two Americans, who In the doing
of the same, learn the mysterious
'.Miss Guggenslocker" is in reality,
the princess. In the succeeding acts,
the action is carefully carried out to
a final happy elimination of all par
ties concerned. Cast and play are
considerably strengthened by the
magnificent scenic equipment in use
by the organization, especially effec-
tive and pleasing are the gowns worn
by the ladies of the company, which
far outshine any efforts of the char
acter on the dramatic stage today.
The United Play Co. guarantees a
perfect performance in every detail
and the scenic production is brand
new, fresh from the studios, and is
said to be one of the handsomest
ever shown in this city. Miss Louis
zita Valentine, young woman OF
unusual beauty and talent, will be
seen in the character Of Princess
Yetive." The United Play Co. have
set standard of excellence in their
productions here in the past, nota-
bly,, Sarah Padden in THE Third
Degree" and THE Lion and the
Mouse" that has won the confidence
of local patrons of the drama.
Their bookings here for the COM
ing season include Miss Padden in
the biggest success of last season,
Charles Kenyon's great play, Kind
ling" played by Margaret Ellington.
Miss Padden is said to surpass her
distinguished predecessor in this
great play.
Another of their big successes Is
Clyde Fitch's last play and conceded
to be his masterpiece. THE City,"
with Mr.. Hugo B. Kosh, one of our
foremost actors of the younger gen.
Grafton, in the stellar roles In order
to give all the patrons of the Grand
an opportunity to attend the open
ing a special scale of prices has been
arranged for by Messrs. Weiser and
Bear. The prices for "Graustark"
will be 35c, soc, 75c and $1.00 for
the best seats. Box seats $3.50. The
sale is now on at Parman's drug