Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-20
STOCK PLAYS FOR
EMPIRE THEATRE.
Manager Charles Berkell Announces
Change of Policy Beginning Next
Sunday.
STRONG COMPANY is ENGAGED
Performers Who Have Enjoyed Wide
Popularity in Other Cities to BE
Brought Here.

Vaudeville is to be abandoned and
stock plays substituted at the Empire
theatre beginning next Sunday. The
announcement of the change was
made today by Manager Charles Ber-
kell
81 have given vaudeville fair
trial" Mr.. Berkell said. Il believe my
patrons will agree with me in the
claim that the bills that have been
presented will compare with those Of
fered in cities three times the size OF
Rock Island. l appreciate that my
bills had a loyal following, but the
patronage was far short of what it
had to be TO bring the financial return
in my favor. My position is that
should not try to force upon the pub
lie a class OF amusement that it does
not care to buy Vaudeville, it ap-
pears, has lost its popularity in many
places, not alone in this city. The
stock company is coming back in the
far west. 1t may be that people here
are in similar mood. If they are, they
will find what will please them at the
Empire beginning next Sunday"
The stock company that has been
engaged by Manager Berkell will pre-
sent all of the late royalty plays The
company will be headed by Miss Pearl
Hazelton During the last few years
Miss Hazleton has been associated
with some of the most prominent stock
companies in both the east and west,
among them being engagements in st.
Louis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Detroit, New
Orleans, Memphis and Omaha, the last
named engagement lasting for nearly
two years. She has also appeared of
late years in the leading role of sew
eral prominent road productions,
among them being the title role in the
New York production of the famous
play Lena Rivers.
Eddie Waller, who will appear in
the principal comedy roles here, is a
comedian Of note, and has been the
comedian Of the Woodward Stock
company of Kansas City and Omaha,
the Shubert Stock. company of Min
neapolis, and was the Hi Holler" of
William A. Bradys New York pro-
duction Of Way Down East"
Mr.. Race, who will appear in the
heavy roles, has been one of the most
successful stock artists in the west
and on the Pacific coast his name is
almost a household word.
Miss TarVer is also product of the
far west, having played almost con-
tinuously in the best stocks on the
western coast, among them the Bur-
bank, where many of the greatest dra-
matte successes have had their first
production.
Noted Character Actor.
Albert Lawrence come direct from
the Duchess stock at Cleveland, where
he has appeared in all the leading
juvenile roles since its opening. Prev
ious to that Mr. Lawrence was con-
nected with the Payton stock at
Brooklyn
Buddy Rooney, character actor,
halls from the Princess stock, Des
Moines, and among his most import
ant engagements previous to then he
points with pride to an entire season
with Florence Roberts.
Harry Budde, backed by IS years
experience on the American stage, has
been engaged from the Poll theatre
stock Of Hartford, Conn.
Miss Nellie Richards comes from,
Brooklyn, where, up until the last
four weeks she has been the ingenue
of Keith's Crescent stock.
Vic Corners will arrive from Port.
land, Ore, where for the past season
he has been popular member of the
Baker stock company
Miss Mable Starr comes highly rec.
commended from Cleveland, where she
has been appearing with the Duchess
Stock company.
Warren Harrison and Miss Allison
complete the cast
Edwin T, Reddin, eastern artist, viii
have charge Of the scenic productions
with two assistants.