Louis J. Russell and His Dramatic Company presenting: "The Middleman" and "North Carolina Folks"

              The Successful ACTOR
Louis J. Russell
AND HIS DRAMATIC COMPANY
ELEVEN ACTING PROPLE

Figure


PRESENTING
The Middleman
(By arrangement with Daniel Frohman)
AND
NORTH CAROLINA FOLKS

CENTRAL P. & E. CO. ROCH N. Y.




MR. RUSSELL IN EVERYDAY LIFE

Introductory
LAST season we offered the Lyceum public a novelty in the shape of a dramatic company, carrying their own scenery, and presenting a play of national reputation.  It was an innovation.  Mr. Louis J. Russell and his dramatic company of eleven acting people, presenting Willard's old masterpiece, The Middleman, by permission of Daniel Frohman, was a success from the opening to the closing date.  Mr. Russell enjoys the distinction of being one of the finest delineators of emotional characters now before the American public.  He offers this season The Middleman and North Carolina Folks, two distinct productions, produced with a select cast of players, beautifully costumed and elaborately staged.  Mr. Russell carries a carload of special scenery including the famous pottery kilns, which are seen in full operation.  In presenting the above for your approval, we do so believing it is the highest wisdom to provide real, dramatic art under decent and uplifting conditions.  The Company has appeared the past season in many of the Y. M. C. A. Star Courses.  We would kindly call your attention to the many telegrams, letters and press notices that we have received.

If you care to secure this mammoth organization, it will be necessary for you to decide soon.—The Management.


MR. RUSSELL IN HIS MASTERLY PORTRAYAL OF CYRUS BLENKARN





Personal and Press Comments
Norwich, N. Y., November 24, 1904.

K. M. WHITE, Manager.

White Entertainment Bureau, Boston, Mass.

My dear Mr. White: Mr. Louis J. Russell and his Company gave the finest performance that we have ever had in our city and the house was packed to the doors, standing room only being displayed at the opening of the box office.  We have had him here several times before, but his performance last night eclipsed anything we have ever seen, and his support was all that could be desired.  We had nearly $200 in single admissions besides our large number of Course tickets.

I received your letter relative to your plans for Mr. Russell's work for next season and I would like to take this opportunity to say that you can count on us as long as you have Mr. Russell and his Dramatic Company on your list.

Yours very truly,
IVON H. BLACKMAN, Chairman Y. M. C. A. Committee.



TELEGRAM
Norwich, N. Y., November 24th

K. M. WHITE, 926 Colonial Building, Boston.

The climax in our twelve years history.  Mr. Russell's acting was beyond comparison for we never saw anything that approached it.  House packed.

IVON H. BLACKMAN.

St. Johnsbury, Vt., November 5, 1904.

The White Entertainment Bureau, Boston, Mass.

Gentlemen: No doubt you will be interested to know the verdict of our people regarding Mr. Louis J. Russell and Company in The Middleman, as played here in our Lecture Course.  I have heard nothing but the most flattering comments regarding it, and all are much pleased with their work.

To say the least, Mr. Russell's acting was exceptionally fine, and some people in the audience who have heard Mr. Willard said it was almost impossible to tell the difference between the two.  I hope we may be able to have them again.

If at any time you want to refer anyone to me for a recommendation, I should be most happy to say a good word for Mr. Russell.  Our people were delighted.  With best wishes, I am,

Sincerely yours,
W. S. DILLON, General Secretary Y. M. C. A.

Laconia, N. H., November 11, 1904.

The White Entertainment Bureau, Boston, Mass.

Gentlemen: The Middleman met with general favor and large patronage.  Everybody was delighted with the entertainment last night, and speak with unstinted praise of Mr. Russell's characterization of Cyrus Blenkarn.  He reminded one of Henry Irving depicting the woes of Mathias.  The supporting Company could scarcely be improved upon and the setting of the stage was perfect.  Most assuredly The Middleman is a money maker for those who put it on.

Yours very truly,
J. FREMONT WEEKS, Manager Laconia Entertainment Course.

K. M. WHITE, Manager, October 6, 1904.

White Entertainment Bureau, Boston, Mass.

My Dear Sir: Louis J. Russell in The Middleman is a power.  His acting is next to perfection.  His support good.

Yours very truly,
FR. WM. F. GRACE, Lenox, Mass., Lecture Course.

Note—Louis J. Russell in The Middleman appeared as the opening attraction in the Lenox, Mass., Course, October 5th.


I WONDER WHAT'S IN THAT LETTER



BURLINGTON DAILY FREE PRESS, November 3, 1904
—Louis J. Russell as Cyrus Blenkarn in The Middleman, which was given at the Howard Opera House last evening, displayed a bit of some of the best character acting seen in this city for many a day.  Mr. Russell's acting throughout is of such a nature as to require a gift of feeling that is bestowed on few actors who have visited this city for some time.  At the end of the second act when he discovers his daughter's disgrace, he rises to a pitch of acting that makes the feeling of even the marble-hearted grow warmer.


NEW YORK WORLD
—With more such plays we will have more pure minds.


NANCY AND MARY — THE SISTERS






CHANDLER AND DAUGHTER

Louis J. Russell & His Dramatic Company

THE WASHINGTON OBSERVER
— Louis J. Russell was seen at the Lyric last night as Cyrus Blenkarn in The Middleman, a role made famous by the great English actor, E. S. Willard.  Mr. Russell gave an admirable rendition of the character of the old potter and was heartily recalled after the third act.  A large audience was present.


THE WARREN (Pa.) MIRROR, September 27, 1904
—Louis J. Russell scored a success Monday evening in The Middleman. A treat was afforded theater-goers at the Library Theater last evening when they witnessed the first presentation for the season of The Middleman.  Mr. Russell scored a series of triumps from his very first appearance and was accorded much applause and several curtain calls.  Miss Eloise Elliston as Mary Blenkarn, and Dorothea Wolbert as Nancy Blenkarn, were excellent and portrayed their parts with a perfect understanding of the same.  Harry Reid as Joseph Chandler, the pottery manufacturer, gave an excellent presentation of a grasping and self-seeking capitalist.
The other members of the company gave excellent support to the star and leading characters of the play.  The stage settings and scenic effects were fine.



I'll work for you, I'll starve for you, if you'll only save my child



ALBANY (N. Y.) EVENING ARGUS
—Louis J. Russell in the role of Blenkarn, made famous by Willard, was capital and his faithful portrayal was truly artistic.  He is a talented and finished actor.


THE HARTFORD TELEGRAM, October 11, 1904
—Large and enthusiastic audiences witnessed Louis J. Russell's production of The Middleman in the Hartford Opera House yesterday afternoon and evening.  Mr. Russell's interpretation of the character of Cyrus Blenkarn, the aged inventor, who gave the discoveries of a lifetime to his employer with no renumeration, left nothing to be desired.  No one who witnessed Mr. Russell's handling of this character can doubt that he is one of the most accomplished actors of the day.
Mr. Russell was ably supported by the other members of the Company.  Harry W. Reid as Joseph Chandler, Ralph Brown as Batty Todd and William A. Wolbert as Jesse Pegg, were particularly effective.  Charles J. Toole has never appeared to better advantage than he did last night in the part of Captain Julian Chandler.  The rest of the party did exceptionally fine work.  The elaborate scenery provided for this production furnished a fitting setting for the play.



YOU HAVE WRECKED ME BODY AND SOUL.




The Middleman
Permission Daniel Frohman
Story of the Play
THE MIDDLEMAN is a pathetic play of great dramatic force.  The story is cleverly woven around the trials and tribulations of one Cyrus Blenkarn and his experiments in the effort to manufacture Tetlow earthenware.  Nearly his entire life is spent in the interests of Joseph Chandler, who shows his appreciation by continually shoving Blenkarn down instead of bettering his position at the works.  Blenkarn's prayer to heaven for success, that he may confound his enemies, closes the second act.

The third act sees him in business for himself, but his capital is so limited that in a short time he and his youngest daughter are reduced to the verge of starvation.  It is at this point in the play that the strongest dramatic scene is enacted.  Here we see the pottery kilns in full action; here the poor old man, driven almost to madness by his failure to borrow money to buy coal, uses his few remaining pieces of furniture for fuel, and the act ends with an unexpected and powerful climax.

The comedy element is not lacking and often takes the form of dry wit.  Notwithstanding the many difficulties to be overcome, Blenkarn is finally rewarded with success.  His rise in the world is Chandler's downfall, but the oppressed returns good for evil and the play ends happily.


I'VE BOUGHT YOU, BODY AND SOUL




The Middleman
By HENRY ARTHUR JONES
Characters in the Play


CYRUS BLENKARN
The Inventor


JOSEPH CHANDLER
The Capitalist


BATTY TODD
Chandler's Business Man


JESSE PEGG
A Workman


CAPT. JULIAN CHANDLER
The Capitalist's Son


MR. VATCHEL
A Lawyer


SIR SEATON UMPAYVILLE
A Nobleman


POSTMAN



MARY BLENKARN
The Inventor's Favorite Daughter


NANCY BLENKARN
The Inventor's Youngest Daughter


MAUDE CHANDLER
The Capitalist's Daughter



The whole action of the play takes place at the town of Tetlow, England, at the present day.



Synopsis

ACT I. Caterpillars of Commonwealth.  Scene—Drawing Room at Tetlow Hall.  (One day elapses).
ACT II. My Daughter, what of her?  Scene—Workroom of Blenkarn's House.  (Three months elapse).
ACT III. A Waxen Image 'gainst Fire.  Scene—The Firing House.  The Pottery Furnaces in Full Operation.  (Twelve months elapse).
ACT IV. The Wheel is Come Full Circle.  Scene—Drawing Room at Tetlow Hall.




From the School
The undersigned takes pleasure in stating that he saw Mr. Louis J. Russell in The Middleman, and was pleased with not only his interpretation of the part, but also with the intensity with which he fixes the lesson in character study.  Mr. Russell's work was such as to not only give pleasure, but to elicit the warmest commendation from the audience.

Everything about the play is of a high order, free from any objectionable feature or allusion, and the lesson taught by the play, as presented by Mr. Russell, is elevating and helpful to both old and young.

Very sincerely yours,
W. L. MAC GOWAN, Superintendent Warren Public Schools, Principal High School Faculty.

Warren, Pa. March 17, 1904.


NO ONE IN THE WORLD UNDERSTANDS ME BUT YOU


Waverly, N. Y., November 25, 1904.

K. M. WHITE, Manager.

White Entertainment Bureau, Boston, Mass.

Dear Sir: Mr. Louis J. Russell in The Middleman played to two large and enthusiastic audiences at The Loomis yesterday.

This morning I have been showered with congratulations for the excellence of my Thanksgiving attraction.

The general verdict of my patrons seems to be, that Mr. Russell is one of the strongest actors ever seen on the local stage and that he, in his portrayal of the character of Cyrus Blenkarn, does not suffer in comparison with Willard.

Personally I am more than pleased with the attraction and I hope to secure Mr. Russell in his new piece for next season.

Kindly advise me as soon as you commence booking him in the new piece.  What do you think the prospects will be for securing it for Thanksgiving 1905?

Yours very truly, A. C. TOBIAS.



From the Church
What gets home so quickly and so surely as truth embodied in a tale?  And if the tale can be seen—not merely heard or read—so much more vivid the appeal.  I have thought of this many times since seeing Mr. Louis J. Russell's very impressive portrayal of a soul's tragedy some months ago.  I can conceive of no more powerful sermon than that preached through his art, and no more convincing argument than, It is only God that pays.

The realism of which Mr. Russell is master must be of the greatest value in forwarding and alluring to things that are true and good.  While it ministers to pleasure and enjoyment, it nourishes and strengthens something deeper and more lasting than either.

ARTHUR R. TAYLOR, Rector Trinity Memorial Church, Warren, Penna., March 14, 1904.

Dover, N. H., Oct. 20, 1904.

K. M. WHITE, Manager, Boston, Mass.

My dear sir: Mr. Louis J. Russell in The Middleman for the benefit of Dover Lodge No. 184, B. P. O. E., gave the best of satisfaction.  The play was finely staged and nicely acted.  Mr. Russell was certainly as good as ever seen in Dover.  The play itself is grand and with the able people in the cast it can be nothing but a beautiful performance, and that is what the people of Dover think it.

Yours very truly,
HERBERT K. OTIS.


DU BOIS (Pa.) MORNING HERALD
—Mr. Russell is beyond doubt one of the finest delineators of emotional acting now upon the stage, his acting last evening being of the highest order … the clever actor was obliged to respond to several curtain calls.

Randolph, Vt., November 15, 1904.

K. M. WHITE, Manager.

White Entertainment Bureau, Boston, Mass.

My Dear Sir: The Middleman as played by Louis J. Russell and Company was a very great success.  Mr. Russell is certainly a star, and we shall want them again next season if we do business.

Yours very truly,
E. T. SALISBURY, Secy. Randolph Entertainment Association.

Franklin, N. H., October 29, 1904.

K. M. WHITE, Manager.

White Entertainment Bureau, Boston, Mass.

Dear Sir: The Middleman Company appeared here last night and gave us an excellent performance.  Mr. Russells portrayal of the old pottery maker was admirable—I think we may call it the best we have ever seen in Franklin—and a large audience was thoroughly appreciative.

Yours very truly, R. W. SOLLOWAY.




North Carolina Folks
THIS beautiful play is a rural comedy, in four acts, depicting the simple life of the natives of North Carolina.  The principal figure is Abner Granger, a gentle, loving, old farmer, who, in spite of many vicissitudes, looks only on the bright side of things.  He is very like one of Opie Read's creations.  This dear old man has a gentle daughter and an ambitious wife.  Love's young dream finds its way into the little home.  Molly Granger the idol of her father's heart, becomes engaged to Steve Langdon, the companion of her childhood, poor but honest.  * * * Waiting in the woods stands the work of his hands.  A little house, frame and pretty enough, too, so Steve thought, as he watched it grow day by day.  It ain't for me, but for a little creature with soft and winning ways,

FATHER AND DAUGHTERS

and she's got to be kept in mind.  Make the stairs easy, for she's got to climb 'em every day — God bless her — fix the shelves the right height, and drive the nails where a woman can reach 'em.  And as he drove the last nail for her little sunbonnet to hang upon, he gazed at it in the twilight, and fancied he could almost see the sunbonnet hanging there.  So the little house stood finished and waiting — and so it would stand until it fell apart board from board, should anything happen to part them.  * * * Sudden wealth, brought about by the discovery of a rich vein of iron ore, on the Granger property, causes the separation of the sweethearts.  The ambitious mother drags the heartbroken girl and home-loveing father to a foreign land in search of a titled suitor.  The scene changes to Paris.  Here the simple farmer becomes involved in many perplexing predicaments.  His efforts to master the French language and customs, and his many mistakes in so doing being very amusing.  Molly Granger, surrounded by every luxury, still yearns for her North Carolina sweetheart; while he driven to desperation, follows her to Paris, there to be again opposed by the ambitious mother.  The

COME, KISS THE BABY

misery of these two young people proves too much for the old man, and he finally decides to gather his courage and stand up agin' mother.  This he does, to the mother's great astonishment and defeat.  The sweethearts are reunited and they prepare to return to America, to live happy ever after.

The play has eleven characters, requires four changes of scenery, and the costuming elaborate.  We have selected this play with care, and believe it will prove as great a favorite as The Middleman.



Characters in the Play


ABNER GRANGER
Old Innocence


STEVE LANGDON
A Young North Carolinian


TOM DALRYMPLE
A Gentleman of Leisure


HAL MORTON
An American Artist


JAMES PETTIBONE
A Speculator


LE MARQUIS DE VANDREUIL
A French Nobleman


FRANCOIS
A Servant


ANDREW
A Butler


MRS. GRANGER
An Ambitious Woman


BESSIE MORTON
An American Girl


MOLLIE GRANGER
A Southern Lassie





Synopsis
ACT I.  North Carolina—Home of the Grangers.  ACT II.  Paris—The Studio of Hal Morton.  ACT III.  Paris—Home of the Grangers—The Ball.  ACT IV.  Same as Act II—Studio of Hal Morton.



Louis J. Russell & His Dramatic Company

WHEELING (W. Va.) SUNDAY NEWS
—Louis J. Russell is a new actor on the Wheeling boards and his first appearance here in The Middleman was a pleasing surprise to the patrons of the Grand.  He shows himself in the character of Blenkarn to be a worthy successor to the famous Willard.  His portrayal of the part is of the most finished and artistic character.


WILLIAMSPORT, PENNA., September 20, 1904
—Louis J. Russell and his capable company gave two fine productions of The Middleman before good sized audiences at the Lycoming yesterday.  Mr. Russell is a splendid actor and the interpretation that he gave in the role of Cyrus Blenkarn could hardly be improved upon, The play was adequately staged and gave the best of satisfaction.


CLIMAX OF THE LAST ACT OF THE MIDDLEMANFATHER!  FATHER!



EAST LIVERPOOL (O.) CRISIS
—Louis J. Russell's performance at the Grand, Tuesday night, excelled anything of its kind ever seen in this city; perhaps in no other town will Louis Russell appear before a more critical audience but he need have no fear, for he captivated East Liverpool—four times after the third act Mr. Russell responded to curtain calls.


FAIRMOUNT (W. Va.) TIMES
—Mr. Russell has the sense of true art, voice and mannerisms of a great actor and he is now on the verge of that distinction.  In the heavy scenes, where a repetition of the business of his predecessor in the role would have been so easily copied, Mr. Russell departed in a path of his own; it led to many delightful climaxes.

Eleven Acting People and a Carload of Special Scenery

THE CENTRAL PRINTING & ENGRAVING COMPANY OF ROCHESTER N. Y.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER
AMERICAN LYCEUM UNION
S. B. Hershey
Pres't & Gen't Mgr.
ROCHESTER, N. Y.

DIRECTION OF
THE CENTRAL LYCEUM BUREAU
OF COLUMBUS, OHIO H. P. HARRISON, General Manager