Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 110, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1904 — BIRD CENTER STILL DRAWS. [ARTICLE]

BIRD CENTER STILL DRAWS.

Those delightful characterizations of MoCutcheon’s '-Bird Center” cartoon people are drawing the same big audiences to the Grand Opera house, Chicago, that marked the first nights of the production The comedy is genuine, and the various village characters are fast beooming types under the skillful portrayal given them by the clever player-folk engaged. The plot is interesting to follow, and there are several situations and oomplioations of pungent humor, The laughter is one undeniable symptom of the play’s snocese. It echoes from all parts of the (hoase on many oooasions when Will Arobie indulges in his infantile pranks, or when Bird Center’s matrons attempt to maintain their dignity on top of too frequent libations at Oap’n Frye’s wonderful well, or again at the studio of the tin type "artist” 'an evening in Bohemia” is in progress. On these ancf other occasions, yon laugh with every one else, and the oomedy reputation of the play is established. One moment only "of pathos, and is the moment when Colonel Payton claims as his o*n the sword left on the battle field, rnd now put up at auotion by the veteran Captain Frye. The little speeoh, brief bat pregnant with emotion, whioh Edward Connelly makes in his role of the colonel, is one of the best pieces of historianism seen in Chicago in years.