Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-13
MAUDE ADAMS in
VIVACIOUS ROLE.
Every Seat Taken at Perform
ance of "The Little Minister"
Last Evening

The spell of the presence of the de-
lightful Maude Adams on the other
side of the Orpheum footlights last
evening was apparent in the hushed
expectancy that greeted the rise of the
curtain on charming woodland
scene in Scotland, the Maude Adams
atmosphere over and over and in the
continued drinking in of the charm of
her ViVacious personality throughout
the four splendidly staged acts.
The dificulty of the famous actress
position was fully realized by the SYM
pathetic audience, but Miss Adams,
artist as she is, was unselfish enough
TO conceal from her audience the grief
winch is hers by reason of the recent
death OF her mother. Surrounded
with highly rated cast that made
each part finished one, Miss Adams
in this venerable old Scotch comedy
by ]. NJ. Barrie, enacted with remark
able verve the part of a hoydenish
Egyptian" (the word gypsy was not
used), mischievous and flirtations, who
played with fire in arousing the stir
ring love of the little minister" to her
own ultimate capitulation.
The settings for each act were su-
perb. The enunciation of the quantity
pleasing Scotch dialect was particular
ly well handled by ]. NJ. McFarlane,
veritable Scotchman himself, in the
role of Bob Dow. the gigantic ruffian
who for love of the little minister
would have killed all who crossed his
path, and 1t added immensely to the
dramatic power of the play which Bar
rte himself had foredoomed to a short
life. The gentle, faun-like music
which accompanied the acting and be-
tween the acts was OF the sort that
soothed and lulled rather than stirred,
Just the quality of music that appro-
priately expressed in sound the visual
impression of the outdoor scenes.
Gavin Dishart was the most capable
little minister one could desire. He
looked the part, that of very young,
but very natural Scotchman whom his
parish regarded as the essence of all
that was good and authoritative; in
fact he impressed the majority as be-
ing just exactly what "Babbie" de-
scribed as her ideal of a husband, in
Guiding among other things complete
independence of thought and domin-
alton of the weaker member of the al
lance, and a forceful personality that
stood out for its own and fought for
it to the last ditch.
Special mention must be given the
four elders of the church. who for
rich, unadulterated good humor were
in a class by themselves. These four
characters have always been more or
play, but last night they were delight
full in their beautiful naivete. From
the leading elder down to the fat little
Her Boy Am l." the acting was of the
first order and the audience was kept
in a whirlwind of laughter by their
strangely contrasting personalities.
The names of David Terrence, Wallace
Jackson, r. Peyton Carter and c. Gay
will not soon be forgotten.
The Maude Adams type of play,
with the THE Little Minister" bring
ing back memories of Peter Pan,"
Quality Street." and "Chantecler, :"
and following closely upon the heels Of
"Pollyanna,' is what Harrisburg
wants, and what Harrisburg will sup
port; and the popularity with which
the really good plays of this season,
with perhaps one or two exceptions,
notably the performance of the fam
GUS violinist, Albert Spalding, have
been received, augurs well for the sue
cess in this city of all the good things
that the big producers may send
along. To go into detail about the
work of Miss Adams herself last even
ing here to try and convey in made
quate words the description of ar
tistry raised 70 the nth power of per-
fection. The name of Maude Adams
expresses all.
MAX ROBERTSON.