The Atlanta Georgian. (Atlanta, GA.) 1906-1907, December 15, 1906, Image 11

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/ I SECOND SECTION. Phe Atlanta Georgian. SECOND SECTION. VOL. 1. NO. 200. - ATLANTA, GA., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1906. PRICE: &«SSli: A Week’s Offerings in Atlanta’s Playl louses LE8TER BERNARD, A* "Lena," the German Nurse, in “Sleeping Beauty and the Beast.” MELODRAMA BILL COMEDY AT STAR Melodramatic comedy aet to muelc, with a good sprinkling of high-class vaudeville specialties, possibly best de scribes the bill announced for the ap proval of patrons of the Star theater next week, and according to the etate- inent of the management of this popu lar price theater It will be good drama,' too, with bright, fetching comedy of the direct and appealing kind, flashing through Its lines and Illuminating the story with Its light, while patriotic sen timent and poetic gayety will be well expressed In the melodious accompani ment. The music of this production might be spoken of os a separate and distinct Inally staged by Arthur Collins, at “The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast” Although the theatrical seasons for some time past have resulted In many new productions of a more or less novel character, yet the absolute novelty pre sented Is “The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast," which Is a revelation of the possibilities In scenic display that as tonishes even ttyose who fancied they had seen the best that could be done In that direction. By means of this brilliant production of an extravaganxa, based upon a fairy tale, metropolitan playgoers and others witnessing It gain an accurate Idea of what the Christ mas pantomimes, which are so popu lar In London, really are. Different managers In this country have tried to present something akin to the famous spectacles to be seen at the Drury Lane and other London theaters during the holiday season, but not until Klaw & Erlanger, who are foremost American managers and producers of elaborate and costly works, Imported and put originally on view “The Sleeping Beau ty and the Beast," did American audi ences have an opportunity for making acquaintance with the manifold at tractions In this form of entertainment. This particular extravaganxa was orlg. delight, although It Is Illustrative In all instances, a throbbing, tuneful back ground for story, scene and .situation. Several strong additions have been made to the Slnr company and next week’s production bids fair to eclipse all others, both In comedy and vaude ville features. The changes made In the company for next week will make a decided Im provement and that Is saying a good deal. New views have been secured for the ever popular moving picture machine and new Illustrated songs will be sung. This bill will be presented every night next week and at Monday, Wed nesday, Thursday and Saturday mati nees. “Everyman.” Ben Greet, the distinguished London actor and producer, states that the first Impression of “Everyman,” which his talented company Is to present at the Grand Saturday, Monday and Tues day matinee. Is traceable to the year 1529, but there‘are good reasons for believing that this quaint morality play was In manuscript as early as the reign of Edward IV—before Columbus discovered America. During the reign of Henry VIII an edition of the play was published and evidently at that time It was popular and often presented. The next edition occurs a century later. Dodsley’s edi tion Is the best known and the one most frequently found In the libraries •f dramatic enthusiasts. Owing to the Demendoua success of “Everyman,” as Wted by the Greet Company, there are Innumerable editions of the work, put ■lit by both American and English Publishers. 'Everyman” had not been presented within the last two centuries until re vised by William Poel, for the Ellxa- "etlian Stage Society of England for a single matinee performance In the open dr. The most enthusiastic member of ’lit society had no conception of the dramatic strength of the play before a modern audience until that perform ance. The aolemnlty. religious truth and simple power of "Everyman" held the "editors captive and many fell on their knees as they do at Oberammergau. Further performances were given and persona of all classes became deeply ■merested In the wonderful work. Clergymen of all aects Indorsed the performance. Students of the drama were delighted with auch rare opportu ne to study the beginnings of the drama at ihort range. But these wore hot all, for “Everyman’s” appeal Is not '•> the few. but to the many. The aver se playgoer Is deeply touched by the morality play and Its popular success has been quite as marked as Its favor with scholars. The Merchant of Venice" will be given on Tuesday night, as many patrons of the Grand have expressed “ desire to see the great players tn a I Shakespearean production. Drury Lane, and Is one of the most fascinating, together with being one of the most expensive of Its kind. The unqualified success of "The Bleeping Beauty and the Beast" Is Indicated In tho flattering reviews by the critics, and In the presences of the audiences that All the theaters at every perform ance. The limit In devising alluring stage pictures seems to have been reached In the scene Illustrating the glories of the 'Tour Seasons” of the year. The ef fect la the moat dazzling and artistic over achieved by stagecraft In spectac ular productions In America, It Is said, and Is In all respects an example of pantomime not to be Ignored. “The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast" will be the attraction at the Grand on Wednesday and Thursday nights and Thursday at matinee. Lillian Russell's Graat Tour. Lillian Russell Is making a complete tour of tha South and middle West In her new comedy, "The Butterfly," vis iting a large number of towns In which she has never appeared, but has long been anticipated. During the present season Mlsa Russell has stepped from her pre-eminent position as queen of comic opera to the front rank of the light comediennes of the American stage. “The Butterfly" Is a comedy of the most up-to-date variety, which was written expressly for Miss Russell by Kellett Chambers, a brother of the fa mous dramatist, Haddon Chambers. The scenes are laid In New York city and Saratoga and Miss Russell's role Is that of a fascinating young widow who becomes Involved In a remarka bly Ingenious and complicated series of matrimonial entanglements. Man ager Joseph Brooks has provided a notably handsome mounting for "The Butterfly” and the superior company Includes such sterling comedy artists as Eugene Ormonde, John flood, Tred L. Tlden, John Jack, (Irani .Mitchell. Charles Lamb, Roland H. Hill, Isabel Merrill Richards. Kate Griffith and Rosalie DeVaux. Miss Russell will wear a number of very beautiful gowns. Miss Russell will appear In "Hhe But terfly" In this city during the course of her tour. Msntfisld's “Peer Gynt." There are In Richard Mansfleld'a re markable production of "Peer Oynt,” fourteen massive and beautiful scenic settings, several of unprecedented splendor, according to those who have seen It. A complete electrical outfit costing many thousands of dollars was especially built to produce the great storm scene In the fifth act, when the ship goes on the rock and Is submerged by giant waves. Yet Mr. MansfleM Is the first to deprecate any predom inant value In mere plcturatlon. What he lays stress on Is the charm of the character anil story, the lilt of the poe try and the unprecedented opportunity “Peer Gynt" gives for the display of almost every’ human passion and emo- EXTREMES MEET A 7 GRAND; OLD MORAL1T Y PLA Y AND MODERN EXTRA VAGANZA At leaat two excellent productions will be seen at the Grand next week. They are the Ren Greet Players, who will present "Everyman" on Monday night and Tuesday at matinee. "The Merchant of Venice" will be given Tuesday night. ‘The Bleeping Beauty and the Beast” will be aeen Wednesday and Thursday nights . and Thursday matinee. There was reason to believe that "The Sine of'the Father" would be preeented on Friday and Saturday nights, but later advices are to the ef fect that the piece will not be preaented here thla season. The local management Is particu larly gratified to hare secured the Ben Greet Players, especially In tha pro duction of "Everyman.” The reputa tion of the company In Shakesperean plays Is well known and fully eatab- llshed. so that whan “The Merchant of Venice" Is produced on Tuesday night there Is every reason to believe a large house will be In attendance. Four per formances of "Everyman” will be giv en, the flrst two being Saturday after noon and night, and the remaining two Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. ■The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast” Is said to be the same gorgeous pro duction which has won favor the country over. The costumes are new for the seaaon's work, while much of the music has been augmented and brightened up. The chorus Is large and composed of beautiful girls who can sing and dance. The scenic effects are among the most elaborate of any production In the country, so that the beautiful fairy story may be made to carry out the Idea of fairyland. Many good performances are billed for later In the season, but chief In terest centers around the holiday per formances. Tim Murphy !u “A Corner In Coffee," will be seen at the Grand on December 24 and 25, with a Christmas day matinee. Richard Mansfield will be seen on the night of December 27 for one performance only of "Peer Gynt." At Other Houses. At the Bijou the new offering will be "When Knighthood Was In Flower," one of the prettiest romantic dramas of the season, and one which won fa vor from fashionable audiences In high priced houses. Miss Anna Day Is cast for Mary Tudor, the proud sweetheart of Charles Brandon, and the supporting company la said to be m keeping with the play. At the El Dorado, a practically new company will be seen In the old favor ite melodrama, "Ten Nights In a Bar room,” a play which will no doubt draw a large audience at every performance. ' The Star will present Its usual popu lar vaudeville and ahort play through out the week. The usual matinees will be given. AT THE EL DORADO “Ten Nights in a Barroom” and “My Old Kentucky Home.” HIGH CLASS PRODUCTION COMES 70 BIJOU NEXT; SUPERB ROMANTIC DRAMA In "When Knighthood Was In Flow er,” Miss Anna Day haa been fortunate enough to And a worthy opportunity for a display of her talent and clever ness. She more than pleaaes In every respect. Her Interpretation of her role la satisfying; deft touches here and there have made It her own creation, and not an Imitation. Aa Mary Tudor Miss Day presenta a character which never allows tha Intereat In It or the play to abate; a lovable character, marked aa It la by the opposition* of a hot temperament which will baatow the hand only where tha heart haa gone. Aa Mary Tudor, action Is requisite; hence there Is a danger of over-exu berance, but Mlsa Day nevtr overact*, nor does ahe make the oppoelte mla- take. One feels that her quick, pas- slonate movements are the result of Instinct with natural Impulse; hut dig nity, the dignity of a king’s sister. Is always ready when need arises to bring it Into the play. The coquetries of a lovely and loving woman; the courage which makes a woman ready to sacri fice for the man she loves—the dignity of the queen of France—outwardly re signed to her fate—the final triumph of a lone woman over her enemle* and the sweet womanhood of a wife when finally ahe Is united with the man of her heart's choice—all these phases and more are portrayed by Miss Day, with a finely shaded artistry growing out of ability—a thorough comprehension of her part and a complete sympathy with It. Miss Day's support Is (a fact which can seldom be stated with truth) well In keeping with her worth, even to the smallest part In the cast. Mr. Alfred Swenson makes a most dashing and handsome Brandon, and la an actor who combines unusual ability with the nat. ural graces of a gentleman. The play la staged and costumed with all the elegance that marked the flrst produc tion, so that the desirable physical quality of richness la provided—In the prudence of Ernest Shipman, under whose auspices Miss Day and Her Cri terion Theater Company are appearing. GOOD R0AD8 OR NO MAIL, No gorernmeat can afford to delirer mall over roads that art a fright for months tn the year. Our government decllnea to undertake It, TVhau roadt become eo hard to travel that ratea of carrltra mint go up to meet auch eoodltlona, the rural dallv- nil; , the rural cry routee may be discontinued until bat ter days come to auch aectlone of the conn ft la a reproach to the Intelligence of many atatea that they etlll make little or no effort to overcome tha loaa reaultlng to tnduatry from bad roada. It la an old atorjr, of course. and needa no rehearsal, but there la dally leas excuse than yesterday for the continuance of neglected ur Ill- managed highways. The profit In good ronde Is too well known to be questioned. It la right for the government to take he etand that It will not attempt to de ter Invested for huge returns to comtnunl- put honestly and Intent- Important highways, and ties than that POINTED PARAGRAPHS. No man I a ever too buay to be polite. abk baa decided to be a blonde. meat.—Buffalo News. It Was Hard Luck. “Hard luck Speeder had last night." ’No! What wa* It?" "HI* automobile ran over a* man." "Oh, wa* that all?” "No, that wasn't all. The man was Speeder."—Cleveland Presa. The man who la moat ready to condemn hla fellows Is generally the one that can leaat afford to aland an Investigation Into bis own conduct—Florida Tlmes-lfnlon. "But, Tommy,” said hla mother, “didn't your conscience tell you you were doing wrong?" "Yea'm,” replied Tommy, "but I don't believe everything I hear."—Philadelphia Preea. Stuyvetant Fish. From The New York World. No railroad president In the country haa a more admirable record of efficient administration than Mr. Flah. Under Mr. Kish's direction the Illi nois Central has been developed a* a smalt stockholder road. Much of Its stock Is held In live and ten-share lots by Investors living along Its line. It has never figured In Wall street coups or combinations, [t Is altogether an exceptional example of a great railroad properly administered. ’ In return for theee services Mr. Fish Is kicked nut by order of the specula tor whose unprincipled methods he hns refused tn sanction. No more malign an exhibition of unscrupulous power haa been known In the history of American railroads. It Is the use of the sandbag by a financial highway man, aided and abetted by men who were supposed to have character. What excuse can men like Cornelius Vanderbilt and John Jacob Astor make to their own consciences for allying themselves with Harrlmnn, Peabody and Auchlncloes In this act of hlgh- flnanre Infamy? They All Do. "Tut, tut.” said Smlthers. "You must not complain that way. Remember that I have to foot the bills." "Yes. you foot them," retorted Mrs. Smlthers. "You kick at every single one of them."—Cleveland Press. The offering of the Baldwin-Mel- vllle Stock Company the flrst part of next week wilt be the old but ever new "Ten Nights In a Barroom." This Is the play that has crowded hundreds of play houses throughout the United States nightly. Possibly no other play on the stage Is so well known, has been played so many times and so consist ently "makes good.” The moral les son Is the strongest that could be taught on the stage, and the Interest In this production by the Baldwln-Mel- vllle Stock Company will be height ened In the fact that every minister In the city has been extended an Invita tion and offered passes to one of the performances. The play opens with the view of the exterior of the "Sickle and Sheaf,' barroom kept by Simon Slade and his son, Frank. The second scone shows the Interior of the "Sickle and Sheaf." The second act shows Joe again In the saloon. The third act shows the home! of Morgan, with Mary’s head bandaged from the wound she had received at Slade'A Morgan craves the unnatural stimulation of drink, but refrains from drinking at the request of his wife and child. In this act the acting of Mr. Mur doch as Joe Morgan Is said to be real istic In the extreme. His abstinence from drink, after having been a slave to It so long, brings on an attack of delirium tremens, and this scene makes one of the best of the entire production. The next act shows a drunken quarrel In a barroom, and Wllllo Hammond Is killed by Harvey Green. The last act shows Joe Morgan, as Squire Morgan, "one of the likeliest men of the village.” He has kept his word, and as a-roward for his faithfulness fortune and happl ness are hla. "Ten Nights In a Barroom" will dive the wonderful child actress, little Lot- tle Salshury, a chance for her first appearance-In Atlanta. This wonderful little actress comes here from “A Mid summer Night’s Dream" company, where she haa been playing the part of Puck. She Is a wonderful little actress, and in the part of Mary Mor gan will have ample opportunity to show her talents to an Atlanta au dience. "Ten Nights In a Barroom" will be Iven Monday, Tuesday and Wednes- ay nights, with matinees Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday, Friday and Sat urday nights, with matinees Friday and Saturday, the beautiful Southern drama, "My Old Kentucky Home," will be the bill. The Essence of 8in. If I have sinned In act I may repent; If I have erred In thought I may disclaim My silent error, and yet feel no shame. But If my soul, big with an III Intent, Guilty In will, by fate be Innocent, Or being bad, yet murmurs at the curse And Incapacity of being worse. That makes my hungry passion still keep Lent In keen expectance of a Carnival, Where In all worlds that round the sun revolve, And shed their Influence on this passive balk. Lives there a power that can my soul absolve? Could any sin survive and be for given. One alnful wish would make a hell of heaven. —Hartley Coleridge. 8CENE FROM “WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WA8 IN FLOWER” AT THE BIJOU. w By ELLA WHEELER WILCOX. HEN we read of the bull fight the very heart of the world's traffic. “EVERYMAN No Explanation There. "The janitor Is sweeping the back porches. I wonder why?" "I don't know. I didn't ask him not to."—Cleveland Press. Million's new chauffeur Is a cheap swindle." 'Then Million Is to be congratulated. Mine's an expensive one."—Cleveland Press. MI88 LOUISE KENT. Popular .Loflitvillt girl who it playing heavy roles at tho El Dorado. provided by Spain as a part of the marriage festival of the young king we shuddered at the sav age condition of the public mind In Spain. When reports reach us from time to time of the extravagance, cruelty and licentiousness of old King Leopold of Belgium we feel, the World progresses slowly. - . When the atrocltlos In darkest Rus sia are cabled to America, and we re member the recent savage war of Rus sia and Japan, we shake our heads at the condition of Ood'a earth In thla twentieth century. But here In Belgium today, after a month In Holland, reading the history of these wonderful lands, right on the scene of action, I am more than ever Impressed with the remarkable growth of the race toward the Creator's origi nal standard of Man. Holland and Belgium were old, old countries before Columbus was born. About the time of his discovery of America Holland was a land of vast wealth and culture. It possessed great scholars, and It* guilds of "Rhetoricians" were powers In the world of literature, and society, and politics. Every small village boasted such a guild, and the common people and laborers took part In them. They composed verses, recited po ems, enacted plays. They gave elabo rate fetes, with splendid nngennta, and the leading events ol the dny were lauded or lampooned by them In such an effective manner that kings and po tentates took care to enroll themselves as members of these guilds, so that they should not suffer at their hands. Hculpture and painting thrived, and wood carving and other arts. Never since have such magnificent books been given to the world as were made and Illustrated by hand between the tenth and sixteenth centuries. "The Books of the Hours” and the Btbles nil written and Illuminated by skilled ar tists. and of exquisite beauty, are pre served In the museums of Antwerp and Brussels. The glorious stained glass windows In the old churches defy de scription. That wns an age when all religion seemed to be pui Into elaborate orna mentations of churches, and Into gor geous windows. There was none used on humanity, Tn that age of art and learning cruelty Inconceivable todny thrived. Charles V. of Spain ruled Holland and Introduced the Spanish Inquisition to punish dissenters from his faith. I'hlllp II. Of Spain, his son, followed and with his wlte, "Bloody Mary.” of England, succeeded tn plunging Holland and Belgium Into religious wars which lusted over elgthy years. Hundreds of thousands of gifted, brilliant und cultured men and women were burned, hacked with knives, starved to doath and burled alive, all In the name of the Christ of love. In Rotterdam. In The Hnigue, In Am sterdam. In Ghent, In Antwerp, and a score of other places, the old Imple ments of torture are on exhibition. Because Intelligent people chose to sing hymns In the open air, and praise God under the arch of his own skies, they were subjected to these horrible tortures, and finally burned to death. Because other* knew such worship had taken place, and felled to report It. they met the same fate. Here tn Antwerp a massacre more terrible than the mnssacre of St. Bar tholomew's took place on November 4 and 5, 1575. Eight thousand people were killed—butchered. Six millions of property was burned and aa much more looted by the Spaniards. Antwerp was at that era the most powerful port In Europe. Its mer chants lived In splendor, and It wa* In two days' time It was turned Into [a smoking niorguo. It was the edict of Philip of Spain that all those who sang hymn* or were known to copy and carry them about, all thhae who neld any Independent views renatalng religion, or who knew of such heretics and did not report them, should be put to death. Whole families were rendered extinct merely to satisfy a savage king and his terrible "council of blood." Yesterday 1 visited one of the most wonderful and least described ruin* in Europe—the castle of the counts of Flanders In Ghent. It was the strong hold of royalty In the time of Charles V and Philip II, and under Its halls of feasting, and under Its sacred chapels, lies the prison where poor wretches starved to death or were burned In the pit, which still yawn*, with all tha other conveniences of torture created by that nwful age. And yet there are pessimists today who dure aay the human race does not progress,' thut man Is no better than me was In past ages. ■Compare Queen Alexandra, Quern Wllhelmlna, with "Bloody Mary,” or Catherine de Medici. Compare young King Alfonso nnd old King Leopold with Charles V nnd Philip II of Spain, or Henry IV of France. Compare the weak and selfish exar and all his cold-blooded alders and abettors with these monsters, and they seem little more than puppet*. There Is no king or monarch In civ ilised lands today who would dare send out such an edict as Philip 11 sent forth to the Netherlands. Should one arise, he would at once be pronounced Ini me and incarcerated In an asylum, as should, Indeed, have been done with (old-time butchers who were obsessed of devil* nnd needed medical attention. There is no land on earth, unless Turkey, where the ruler would pro nounce himself highly pleased, as Phil ip did, when he heard of the slaughter of 8,000 people In Antwerp. Yet France, Spain, England were the civilised and Christian countries of (the world at that time; great paint ers, great scholars, lived and worked In all these lands where such atrqcltles were permitted und encouraged by the rulers. The day of kings Is almost past. The day of ecclesiastic power Is, too, on the wane. Men and women are to cast off the fetters of all traditions, and co-operate In the management of state and national affairs. But meanwhile those who are today vested with kingly power are really u very decent. If a very worthless, sort, when we put them side by side with their predecessors. Humanity Is far from perfect, It Is selfish and cruel and greedy still; but how much higher It has risen we can not fall to acknowledge If we read the histories of the cultured world a few hundred years ago. If you want to feel cheerful over the condition of the human race today. In spite of graft, In spite ol jobbery, and murder, and thievery, and war nnd dissensions In church and state, get Motley’s "History of the Dutch Repub lic," and read It slowly and carefully. Then compare the whole world of that period with the whole world to- May. I am sure you will arise from the pe rusal of that master work of true his tory with a sense of hopefulness for the future of mankind. ■Miserable as the conditions of the la boring people are here In Belgium, with the exception of the great Socialistic co-operatlvc society, of which I shall write later. It Is as heaven compared to hades when placed In Juxtaposition with Belgium In the sixteenth century. Every morning I am awakened here with a great clanging of bells. And above the sad world sobbing. And the strife of clan with clan, I cun hear the mighty throbbing Of the heart of God, In man. And a voice chants thro' the chiming Of the belts and seems to aay, “We ore climbing, we are climbing, A* we circle on our way."