Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell
THE MARLIN DEMOCRAT
Eighteenth Year - Number 50
Marlin, Texas, Wednesday, November 13, 1907
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Thomas Jefferson In "Rip."
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One of the most elaborate productions ever given on the stage in Marlin, was the
appearance of Thomas Jefferson, in "Rip Van Winkle," on Thursday evening at the
Arlington opera house.
"Rip Van Winkle" is a play that never grows
old, and Thomas Jefferson, bearing out the consensus of opinion of the best
critics of the last decade, has played the genial and jovial vagabond of the
Catskills, and his work is such that this Rip Van Winkle is one of the greatest
of records of affection and love of any stage creation of recent times.
Jefferson's personality and powerful but gentle art is blended in the
delineation of Rip so that it is easy descernable. The bibulous old rascal
has been recommended and maintained by the comedian's masterly toning of his
inquities (sic) and graceful exposition of the tenderness and sweetness of
heart. There is no question but that Thomas Jefferson gives the same
article finish that is unapproachable as did his estimable father, who seems to
have handed down this beautiful story as hereditary to other generations of the
Jefferson family.
The piece was particularly attractive in
every feature, and Mr. Jefferson is to be congratulated in surrounding such good
company as was his support upon last night. Besides himself the following
deserve special mention for their clever acting: Maggie Moore as Gretchen,
was versatile and magnetic and during many parts of the play was the center of
all admiration.
Olive McVine and Ruth McVine, the "tots"
who had pledged their love from childhood and who so nobly kept it sacred, are
the cleverest children ever seen upon the stage in any place. They have
received the best of acknowledgment from the best of critics, of any children
before the American people. The entire production was intact and the
scenic, stage effects and elaborate costumes were such that it made it showy and
attractive in every way. Those who were unfortunate in not seeing it
missed one of the finest attractions ever given in Marlin, and the manager of
the Opera House desdves (sic) credit in insisting that the theatrical bureau
stick to their contract, as the management of the Jefferson company after
reaching the state tried every way in their power to keep from coming to Marlin,
they did not know that the gross receipt of one performance would be in a few
dollars of two performances in Waco, but such was the case.
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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for
printing by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas