The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-05-13

Willard Mack and COMPANY hcncoforth
Ia bc known the Orphcum players. re-
opened the State street vaudeville house
as stock theatcr yesterday afternoon.
following with n second performance in
the evening, Both performances were
played Ia capacity audiences
The engagement of tho Ornheum play
erE in this city is productive of more
Than ordinary interest to local stock
patrons ms We'll as local thenicrsocrS
in general, II marks rhr return Of "A
iavorile actor whose tribuletions taionts
and popularity arc I'll at once tributary
TO the thought when Wsllard Macks
nalizcs the fact that the rcopening of
the orpheum as a stock house ushers mo
The local theatrical field one OF the most
ambitious undertakings over attempted
in Salt Lake TO maintain a stock com
pany Of high standard through the sum-
mcr months.
Each performance yesterday of "a Co
lonial Girl Was as smooth and without
defect az would have been expected ~
that ot a seasoned road company. The
PLAY is we'll mounted in 80 far ii
display. which is limited Tho acting
strength OF the company with which
Mr.. Mack has surrounded himself is not
given general test as the company is
cast lin the opening production but in
divldually the members OF the company
seem able, studious, painstakipg players.
who will give many good accounts Of
themselves before tho summer season
gluars.
Mr.. Mack stepped before the curtain
last night to explain why moro pre-
tentious production than Nas possible
with a Colonial Ciirl' was not given
as the initial presentation OF the Or
pbcum players. pointing out that the
limited time i'm which he was given TO
the drawbacks incident to reopeninG the
house SO soon after the vaudeville sea-
son closed. made IL impossible 10 at
tempt the production of play OF greater
scope In staging and mounting
He took occasion also TO dcmean him
self for past performances, saying that
he thought a few words from him on the
subject was called for In View Of the
circumstances. adding that it was more
of a matter Of principle than pecuniary
compensation that prompted his accept
Ing the offer TO head the Orpheum play
ers.
"A Colonial Girl is an interesting dc
lineatio Of an episode of the Revolu-
tionary war, Whatever the play may have
treatment when il was first put before
the public has disappeared with age II
is war melodrama garbed in the frills
and ruiflcs characteristic of the conVen-
Jean Libby might have supplied the plot.
but the programme does not tell lis who
IS responsible for the play,
The first act drags because OF Its YER
bosity and lack of action. However: the
remaining three acts contain action anu
climaXes enough TO satisfy. and create
tense interest; 1t holds II until the end,
Mr. Mack plays the part Of a young
American patriot member OF Wash
ington's secret service staff- The role
affords Mr. Mack an opportunity to dis
play his well known versatility Need
less to say that his portrayal is interest
ing, convincing and given that polish
which has characterized his best imper-
sonations in the past.
Miss Genevieve Blinn makes her first
appearance before Salt Lakers as the
name character Of the play. a pretty, TO
mantle creature. the daughter of an army
captain. She makes a spendid portrayal
of a role in which She has limited oppor-
tunity TO give her ability full sway. She
OF that charm aIloyed with her talents
which makes for the most attractive
among leading women.
, There arc a number OF old favorites
in the company, including John Sumner.
Elizabeth Ross, Harry Bean and Jacl.
Conway. Mr.. Sumner. admitted 10 be one
OF the most versatile character actors
who ever played In local stock, plays the
part OF a butler with his usual care and
heaviest woman role In the cast. in which
she is at her best Her work is too we'll
known to neceSsitate comment
Harry Bean helped make local theatrl-
cal history during the palmy days OF the
old Wond erland, Since then he has ap-
peared here in various stock and road
productions. In "a Colonial Girl he
plays part which would be a negative
quantity In the hands OF less painsLak
the British army, Mr. Bean, like others