The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-07-28

SCAlSu hOlC"lbu-
THE Initial performance OF what Is de-
= stIned TO be a notable engagement;
was given last night at the Utah theater.
The interest in the production OF "Pudd n
head Wilson" has been statewide because
OF the appearance IN this we'll known and
popular play of two OF our own home
people, Ada Dwyer Russell and Heber NJ
Wells ex-governor OF Utah.
Ada Dwyer has become widely and
deservediy celebrated in her profession
because OF never having been identified
with a failure and OF having scored some
very notable and striking successes. Mr..
Wells, after an absence from the stage
FOR score OF years. was prevailed upon
by his friends 20 take. on too short no.
tice, the part OF Pudd nhead Wilson. The
association of these two artists with thc
more than capable supporting company OF
the Utah theater offers an attraction far
above the ordinary 20 the regular patrons
OF the drama and should appeal with pc
culiar force to those old-time friends OF
Miss Dwyer and Mr.. Wells who can re-
call with real delight memories OF the
past efforts OF these Utah artists.
Miss Dwyer has attained by the most
conscientious and palnstaking effort a
most enviable position in her profession.
because OF q wonderful versatility. Those
who have seen her Frisco Kate in the
Deep Purple" the Mrs. Ledbetter (Which
next 10 Roxy ranks as her best poro.
and then recall the artistic work in 'Sa-
lone Jane" and Mrs, Wigs" have rea-
son for the pride we feel In claiming her.
Another role which ranks very high is
that OF the old woman in the Dawn OF
A Tomorrow But with all the credit
able efforts duly weighed, nothing she
has ever done eclipses the Roxy in ''Pud-
d'nhead Wilson"
In thinking over the year when Mr.
Wells was a member OF the old Home
Dramatic club and recalling his work In
that amateur organization. l can think
OF no member OF the profession who has
had greater variety OF parts or one
whose versatility has been more den
nitely tested. Tn those days the club was
under the tutelasc of veteran who had
become justly famous OF au eastern dra-
matte club-DavId Mackenzie. associated
with Harry Culmer and IL C. Whitney
had the casting OF the parts and the club
members during a long period consisted
OF O. F. Whitney, l.. 4, Cummings, II. NJ.
Wells, j. ID. Spencer Edith Clawsop, Lot
tie Claridge, Birdie Clawson, Bid Young.
John r. White and many others.
Among the plays in which Mr.. Wells
had always leading part are. Called
Ba ack," Silver King" Two Orphans"
The World Divorce the play in which
Kirk with c. W. Couldock: "Pioue"
storm Beaten" Mr.. Wells's part OF Chris
ten Christensen in this was one OF the
best things In his career; Our Boarding
House." "Rosedale." Bankers Daughter"
(who can forget his George Washington
Phipps): Saratoga Green Lawes OF
England" Queen Evidence" "Diplo-
macy Held by the Enemy" and many
others.
One can readily see tho wide range OF
parts which Mr.. Wells essayed and which
he more than creditably portrayed Time
and again he was urged 10 adopt the
stage as a profession, Mr.. Ned Royle Of
fered him one Of the leading parts in his
New York production Of Friends" "
The veteran actor. J. II. Stoddart, was
engaged by the club at one time TO ap-
pear in the celebrated Saints and Sin
ners." Mr. Wellss work in this was
praised as being superior to the original
small wonder. then. that because Of his
well known versatility he was urged to
OF "Pudd Rhead Wilson" and lie may be
be becomes "A little more familiar with a
part by far too big and taxing TO be pre-
pared In so short a time. Mr., Wells Will
give the best of Satisfaction