Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-08-25
THE OLD HOMESTEAD"


I'm connection with the showing of
"The Old Homestead" at the Strand
on Friday of next week, the follow
ing article which appeared in the
Utica On. W Daily Press on August
Is Will be of interest to local theater-
Gocrs:
That Denman Thompson's famous
play, "The Old Homestead" has just
rs strong an appeal for the audiences
Of this generation as il had for those
who saw it thirty-five years ago
when ii had its first presentation,
was shown by two large and delight
cd audiences that witnessed Augustus
Pitou's production of this play at the
matinee and evening performances at
the Gaiety Theater yesterday.
They laughed and cried and laugh
cd again with Uncle Joshua Whit
comb-laughed at his antics at the
home Of his city cousins, at his es-
capadc with the postman, at his
dancing the jig; and cried at his suf
fering at the absence of his son, at
the touching appeal to his two old
friends that they forget their differ
cnces, and cried again, for joy, when
he welcomes his son back TO his
home.
The story OF "The Old Homestead"
is known 10y all theater-goers of the
last three decades. 1t deals with
Uncle Joshua Whitcomb, his county
neighbors and his city cousins. He is
seen first at his farm, where he is
happy and contented to live on as
,he head Of his loyal household, and
acknowledged as the squire Of the
country side. But trouble comes t.
him with the news that his son, Reu
ben, is suspected Of having robbed a
bank and has run away. With
kind thought for every living mortal
Uncle Josh subordinates his own
grief at his loss and turns to help an
other poor boy, a tramp, whom he is
able TO set on the way to reform and
a new life.
Next Uncle Josh visits New York
md his strange goings-on at the
1cme Of his rich cousins fill act two
with continual laughter The climax
Of the fun comes when Uncle Josh,
having gone TO bed, is awakened by
"a song about "Fire" and comes dash
.ng into the rowded drawing room in
is night shirt.
The following scene, nightfall be
fcre stately church in the city, with
lis solemn music and deep shadows,
is the setting for the big moment Of
,he play-the old mans meeting with
his son, poor, shabby derelict. but
lust the same his son and the object
Of his prayers. And with the assist
ancc of the man who years before he
had bcfrended and started straight,
he tramp who had come TO him for
help on the farm, Uncle Josh per-
cuadcs his son 70 come home to start
on new, clean life
Act four shows the homecoming,
al the old neighbors and friends as
embed a the farm, and all made
happy by the old man who has found
his own happiness in the restoration
# his son.
Walter Ayers played the part OF
Joshua Whitcomb. the role play cd
for many years by Denman Thomp-
son. His performance was excellent
and he handled the scenes Of pathos
and Of comedy with equal skill
Charles Carter and Oscar Sidney
had the roles Of the two old country
neighbors, Cy Prime and Seth Per
kins. Their parts are famous as
types Of the country gossips and
much Of the comedy Of the play falls
I'D them.
Rene Darcy was splendid in the
role Of Aunt Matilda. the kind old
country lady Margaret Atkinson as
Az. Nifr.Iy.I- A.. IT.....fl