Religion & Comedy Take the Stage
BY: BG EDITOR
Edwin Booth as Cardinal Richilieu
Oct 27, 2018 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)
Having begun this series with the theatrical programs put on by the Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Club, this week we'll look at the many visiting thespian companies who performed here during the first decade of the 1900s.
The Greenwood drama club became active circa 1897. Two years later, the New York Theatre company took to the stage, in the Greenwood Auditorium.[1] On the first night they performed a comedic drama called Was She To Blame, and on the following night gave a performance of Uncle Tom's Cabin. First published in 1852, Uncle Tom's Cabin was the best selling book of the 19th Century, and was second only to the Bible as the century's best-seller. It was enthusiastically received in Greenwood. Along with the central theme of Abolitionism, the message of Christian love was central to the book, and no doubt to the dramatic performance. In fact, many of the theatrical performances given in early Greenwood were based on a strong religious theme.
In November 1901, the Auditorium Stock Co. came to Greenwood to perform La Belle Marie at the Auditorium. Although billed as a five-act comedy, the play's message was still a moral one, described here:[2]
"Virtue is rewarded and vice punished in the most approved old-fashioned melodramatic manner. Of the healthy moral idea of the drama there can be no question. … The pathos of mingled grief and anger in the old Scotchman's breast is strongly given…"
A review in the Times introduced the play:[3]
"The well known company comes to Greenwood for three nights beginning Nov. 28th. This company is well known to theatre goers of the west being formerly the Bittner company who has always been prime favorites of the west having just closed a 25 weeks engagement in Spokane and are the best reportorie company ever travelling in the northwest having the most extensive reportorie of plays of any company travelling and it is a well known fact that Billing, manager of the company, who is one of the oldest and best repertorie manager of the west is employing none but the best of talent presenting the most progressive ideas of the most modern and up to date plays, equipment — in fact a combination of all that is necessary to produce the best results in one that is most eminently successful in pleasing its people with the object in view of providing just the kind of entertainment demanded by theatre goers of the present day.
The management of Auditorium Stock Co. have this season excelled all previous efforts not only in personnel of the company but also of entirely new plays and new wardrobe. La Belle Marie is a beautiful five act comedy drama in which the Bittner's made their great hit in Spokane and have repeated this bill many times by request. …
This company wherever opening are pronounced by press and public as one of the best companies ever visiting any city and come to Greenwood in the hope of maintaining the large and liberal patronage that the excellence of their performances merit and those who miss their opening will miss a treat. Don't fail to hear their great song and dance comedian in the person of W. H. McBride, the best the west has ever known."
The management of Auditorium Stock Co. have this season excelled all previous efforts not only in personnel of the company but also of entirely new plays and new wardrobe. La Belle Marie is a beautiful five act comedy drama in which the Bittner's made their great hit in Spokane and have repeated this bill many times by request. …
This company wherever opening are pronounced by press and public as one of the best companies ever visiting any city and come to Greenwood in the hope of maintaining the large and liberal patronage that the excellence of their performances merit and those who miss their opening will miss a treat. Don't fail to hear their great song and dance comedian in the person of W. H. McBride, the best the west has ever known."
Running alongside a second column promoting La Belle was an ad for another drama, set to play here in December:[4] Quo Vadis, performed by the E. J. Carpenter company. This religious epic, described as "the sensation of the Christian world" promised to illustrate "in a manner graphic and convincing the Dawn of Christianity and the Downfall of Paganism". As one reviewer said, "Quo Vadis is a sermon with no one asleep in the pews".
So popular was Quo Vadis that it came again to Greenwood, just two years later. The drama was reprised by the talented Harold Nelson company, who brought the one-night-only show back to the Auditorium.[5-6]
Nelson's Quo Vadis
Talented Canadian Actor and His Company Please a Large Audience
"Made in Canada. A talented Canadian supported by talented Canadians has demonstrated that Canadians can excel in drama as well as in the more material pursuits of life. Canada might well be proud of Harold Nelson and Harold Nelson is doubtless proud of the company supporting him. With the broadmindedness of the true patriot the star has chosen a play which gives him no opportunity to show his own superior talents at the expense of the other members of his company.
Quo Vadis is not a one man play. It demands a full complement of strong actors. From Marcus Vinicius to Chilo, the drunken philosopher, the Harold Nelson company meets every demand. It is a well balanced company, every member thereof playing his or her part. Greenwood is not slow to appreciate merit when the opportunity presents itself. The Auditorium was filled on Monday night. Harold Nelson won his laurels last year so far as Greenwood was concerned, and Monday night's audience was a compliment to the talented young Canadian. They left the Auditorium strengthened in their good opinion of Harold Nelson and with warm spots in their hearts for the other members of his company.
Sienkiewicz's, splendid descriptive tale of the early Christians suffers none in the dramatization; Vinicius' graphic description of the Roman cruelties, Peter's thrilling words to the persecuted, the awful anguish of the Mamertine prison, and Petronius' suave yet scathing comments still remain.
Harold Nelson has genius; He is a conscientious actor. He is good looking and has a good figure. He has also the impetuosity of youth. What more could be desired in the portrayal of Marcus Vinicius, the impetuous Roman soldier, fired with love for the beautiful Lygia? There was nothing lacking, nothing to be desired in his interpretation of the hero of Quo Vadis. But in our opinion Marcus is not the strongest character in the play; Petronious, that courtly, cynical man of the world, yet withal a man with a great big heart and true as steel to his friends, compels admiration and respect. …
Harold Nelson is the oasis in the desert of histrionic mediocrity which is Greenwood's portion on account of its remoteness from the regular theatrical route. It is unfortunate that arrangements were not made for a two night engagement here, but it is hoped that as he acquires more fame and incidentally filthy lucre, he will not forget his enthusiastic patrons in the boundless Boundary."
Talented Canadian Actor and His Company Please a Large Audience
"Made in Canada. A talented Canadian supported by talented Canadians has demonstrated that Canadians can excel in drama as well as in the more material pursuits of life. Canada might well be proud of Harold Nelson and Harold Nelson is doubtless proud of the company supporting him. With the broadmindedness of the true patriot the star has chosen a play which gives him no opportunity to show his own superior talents at the expense of the other members of his company.
Quo Vadis is not a one man play. It demands a full complement of strong actors. From Marcus Vinicius to Chilo, the drunken philosopher, the Harold Nelson company meets every demand. It is a well balanced company, every member thereof playing his or her part. Greenwood is not slow to appreciate merit when the opportunity presents itself. The Auditorium was filled on Monday night. Harold Nelson won his laurels last year so far as Greenwood was concerned, and Monday night's audience was a compliment to the talented young Canadian. They left the Auditorium strengthened in their good opinion of Harold Nelson and with warm spots in their hearts for the other members of his company.
Sienkiewicz's, splendid descriptive tale of the early Christians suffers none in the dramatization; Vinicius' graphic description of the Roman cruelties, Peter's thrilling words to the persecuted, the awful anguish of the Mamertine prison, and Petronius' suave yet scathing comments still remain.
Harold Nelson has genius; He is a conscientious actor. He is good looking and has a good figure. He has also the impetuosity of youth. What more could be desired in the portrayal of Marcus Vinicius, the impetuous Roman soldier, fired with love for the beautiful Lygia? There was nothing lacking, nothing to be desired in his interpretation of the hero of Quo Vadis. But in our opinion Marcus is not the strongest character in the play; Petronious, that courtly, cynical man of the world, yet withal a man with a great big heart and true as steel to his friends, compels admiration and respect. …
Harold Nelson is the oasis in the desert of histrionic mediocrity which is Greenwood's portion on account of its remoteness from the regular theatrical route. It is unfortunate that arrangements were not made for a two night engagement here, but it is hoped that as he acquires more fame and incidentally filthy lucre, he will not forget his enthusiastic patrons in the boundless Boundary."
The following year another great religious classic came to the stage in Greenwood. This time is was Goethe's Faust, again performed by the Harold Nelson company. This preview ran in an October edition of the Times:[7]
GOETHE'S "FAUST"
First Worthy Production of This Immortal Drama by Harold Nelson's Company
"The visits of the Harold Nelson Dramatic company have come to be eagerly anticipated here, our theatre patrons having confidence that Mr. Nelson and his enterprising manager, Mr. C. P. Walker, will give them something really meritorious. The Nelson company is announced to return here on Thursday, Oct. 13, when will be presented the great religious play, 'Faust.'
There have been other performances of Faust in Western Canada, but until this Nelson production, none have been worthy of the immortal drama. Mr. Walker, to make this a notable presentation, startling in its realism, spent much money for scenery, costumes and electrical equipment, and promises an extraordinary portrayal. Such scenes as the Inferno, with its rain of fire and the beautiful Garden scene, will eclipse anything in the line of stage realism ever attempted in the West.
Mr. Nelson will be seen as Mephisto, and will be supported by a specially strong company of players, including Miss Helene Scott as Marguerite and Mr. Clifford Lane Bruce as Faust."
First Worthy Production of This Immortal Drama by Harold Nelson's Company
"The visits of the Harold Nelson Dramatic company have come to be eagerly anticipated here, our theatre patrons having confidence that Mr. Nelson and his enterprising manager, Mr. C. P. Walker, will give them something really meritorious. The Nelson company is announced to return here on Thursday, Oct. 13, when will be presented the great religious play, 'Faust.'
There have been other performances of Faust in Western Canada, but until this Nelson production, none have been worthy of the immortal drama. Mr. Walker, to make this a notable presentation, startling in its realism, spent much money for scenery, costumes and electrical equipment, and promises an extraordinary portrayal. Such scenes as the Inferno, with its rain of fire and the beautiful Garden scene, will eclipse anything in the line of stage realism ever attempted in the West.
Mr. Nelson will be seen as Mephisto, and will be supported by a specially strong company of players, including Miss Helene Scott as Marguerite and Mr. Clifford Lane Bruce as Faust."
While the playbills herald one hard-hitting religious epic after another, even the Harold Nelson company periodically turned to lighter fare. Like the romantic comedy paired with Faust, in February 1905 the Times announced that his troupe would present Paul Kauvar at the Greenwood opera house.[8]
The very next month, however, Nelson & Co. were back to religious themes, this time with a dramatic performance of Richelieu (pictured at top).[9] Written in 1839 by a British author, Richelieu portrayed the life of the 17th Century French statesmen and religious leader, Cardinal Richelieu. From this play came the famous line, "The pen is mightier than the sword".
Harold Nelson's Latest Offering a Revival of a Strong Play
"Richelieu," the great play in which Mr. Harold Nelson is shortly to be seen here, is more than a mere dramatic performance. It is a direct spiritual force — a marvelous illumination of history. Mr. Nelson, scholarly player that he is, has a temperament and personality peculiarly fitted to the effective portrayal of the famous prince of the Roman church. Critics everywhere concede Richelieu to be Harold Nelson's strongest character.
In the revival which Mr. Nelson presents here on March 30th there will be absolute completeness of costuming and scenic investiture. His manager, Mr. C. P. Walker, has provided sumptuous mounting. The supporting company will be even stronger than in the recent production of "Paul Kauvar," which pleased so much. Clearly Mr. Nelson's return in "Richelieu" means a treat for the lovers of worthy drama."
"Richelieu," the great play in which Mr. Harold Nelson is shortly to be seen here, is more than a mere dramatic performance. It is a direct spiritual force — a marvelous illumination of history. Mr. Nelson, scholarly player that he is, has a temperament and personality peculiarly fitted to the effective portrayal of the famous prince of the Roman church. Critics everywhere concede Richelieu to be Harold Nelson's strongest character.
In the revival which Mr. Nelson presents here on March 30th there will be absolute completeness of costuming and scenic investiture. His manager, Mr. C. P. Walker, has provided sumptuous mounting. The supporting company will be even stronger than in the recent production of "Paul Kauvar," which pleased so much. Clearly Mr. Nelson's return in "Richelieu" means a treat for the lovers of worthy drama."
Later that year the Harold Nelson company performed yet another ponderous drama: Francesca da Rimini, based on a work of Dante's. The Times ran this preview:[10]
HAROLD NELSON IN TRAGEDY
Will appear here soon in "Francesca da Rimini'', the greatest tragedy of Italian history
"Probably no character in dramatic literature so thoroughly runs the gauntlet of human emotions as does Lanciotto, the warrior hunchback who is the central figure of the powerful tragic drama "Francesca da Rimini". This story, suggested by Dante, and elaborated by Baker, tells of the marriage of beautiful Francesca to the deformed Lanciotto and the secret love between her, and her husband's handsome brother, Paolo.
The hapless passion of Francesca, the agonizing despair of Paola and the awful retribution of Lancitto gives scope for thrilling situations and tremendous climaxes. Mr. Nelson and his clever associates take every advantage of these opportunities, and a performance of unusual strength and merit is anticipated when this clever company appear here Monday October 30th.
Manager C. P. Walker has supplied a costume and scenic equipment that surpasses anything heretofore seen in Western Canada. This will be Mr. Nelson's last appearance in Western Canada this season, as his manager has arranged for an extensive tour through the Central States."
Will appear here soon in "Francesca da Rimini'', the greatest tragedy of Italian history
"Probably no character in dramatic literature so thoroughly runs the gauntlet of human emotions as does Lanciotto, the warrior hunchback who is the central figure of the powerful tragic drama "Francesca da Rimini". This story, suggested by Dante, and elaborated by Baker, tells of the marriage of beautiful Francesca to the deformed Lanciotto and the secret love between her, and her husband's handsome brother, Paolo.
The hapless passion of Francesca, the agonizing despair of Paola and the awful retribution of Lancitto gives scope for thrilling situations and tremendous climaxes. Mr. Nelson and his clever associates take every advantage of these opportunities, and a performance of unusual strength and merit is anticipated when this clever company appear here Monday October 30th.
Manager C. P. Walker has supplied a costume and scenic equipment that surpasses anything heretofore seen in Western Canada. This will be Mr. Nelson's last appearance in Western Canada this season, as his manager has arranged for an extensive tour through the Central States."
In a follow-up piece the Times offered another enticement for the theatrical event:[11]
"FRANCESCA DA RIMINI — The tragedy of Italian history to be presented here soon by Harold Nelson. It has been in such heavy roles as "Richelieu" and "Hamlet" that Harold Nelson the favorite Canadian actor has scored his greatest success. He comes to Greenwood Monday October 30th, in the greatest tragedy of Italian history, "Francescada Rimini" as dramatized by Boker from Dante's immortal story.
Briefly, the play deals with the marriage of Lanciotto, a hunchback cripple of a noble, family, to a beautiful young girl. The cripple's brother, who is young and handsome, is constantly thrown in the company of the wife during Lanciotto's absence, resulting in a mutual love, which the husband discovers and in one of the most intense acts in the drama ends the lives of the three.
As Lanciotto, the deformed husband, wronged by nature, by his brother and his wife, Mr. Nelson has a tragic role, seldom equaled in dramatic writings. The beautiful lines, the intense situations and the tremendous climaxes are handled with masterly art."
Briefly, the play deals with the marriage of Lanciotto, a hunchback cripple of a noble, family, to a beautiful young girl. The cripple's brother, who is young and handsome, is constantly thrown in the company of the wife during Lanciotto's absence, resulting in a mutual love, which the husband discovers and in one of the most intense acts in the drama ends the lives of the three.
As Lanciotto, the deformed husband, wronged by nature, by his brother and his wife, Mr. Nelson has a tragic role, seldom equaled in dramatic writings. The beautiful lines, the intense situations and the tremendous climaxes are handled with masterly art."
While there were many other dramas performed in Greenwood — a number of which we will cover in our final segment — there was one more work of note by the Harold Nelson company. In November 1906 the Times reported:[12]
HAROLD NELSON COMING
"For nearly two years the manuscript of the romantic drama, "A Soldier of Fortune," which will be played here Wednesday, December 5th, by the Nelson and Bruce company, lay at the bottom of Mr. Nelson's trunk, neglected and thought little of as a popular success. When, last spring, he took it into his head to stage the piece, he did it with fear and trembling, and somehow felt it was foredoomed to failure. Today the play is the best drawing card in the whole repertoire of the company, and never fails to elicit enthusiastic applause whenever and wherever it is staged. For all the play has in it the necessary elements to appeal to popular taste.
The various ingredients that go to the making of a successful romantic drama are all here just in right proportions, no single one being too pronounced to disturb the artistic balance of the whole. The comedy side is kept nicely within bounds (a none too common thing in the plays presented by even the best traveling companies). The villain is not too villainous, the hero not too much of a saint, while the good princess and wicked countess each fill their alloted places with well judged weight attaching them.
Mr. Nelson will appear in the above bill as Sir Rupert, the wanderer. On Thursday night the company will be seen in the great western drama, "The Virginian," with Mr. Bruce in the title role."
"For nearly two years the manuscript of the romantic drama, "A Soldier of Fortune," which will be played here Wednesday, December 5th, by the Nelson and Bruce company, lay at the bottom of Mr. Nelson's trunk, neglected and thought little of as a popular success. When, last spring, he took it into his head to stage the piece, he did it with fear and trembling, and somehow felt it was foredoomed to failure. Today the play is the best drawing card in the whole repertoire of the company, and never fails to elicit enthusiastic applause whenever and wherever it is staged. For all the play has in it the necessary elements to appeal to popular taste.
The various ingredients that go to the making of a successful romantic drama are all here just in right proportions, no single one being too pronounced to disturb the artistic balance of the whole. The comedy side is kept nicely within bounds (a none too common thing in the plays presented by even the best traveling companies). The villain is not too villainous, the hero not too much of a saint, while the good princess and wicked countess each fill their alloted places with well judged weight attaching them.
Mr. Nelson will appear in the above bill as Sir Rupert, the wanderer. On Thursday night the company will be seen in the great western drama, "The Virginian," with Mr. Bruce in the title role."
It is interesting to note that for this performance, the name regularly used — the Harold Nelson company — has changed to the Nelson and Bruce company. Nelson's acting partner, Christopher Lane Bruce, playing along with him not only in The Virginian, but in many dramatic performances. In Quo Vadis, Nelson and Bruce traded parts for some performances, with Nelson taking the leading man's role.
Many fascinating details of Harold Nelson Shaw's early career in Canadian theater can be found in the article, "Harold Nelson: The Early Years (c. 1865-1905)". Greenwood was fortunate to be on the receiving end of a steady flow of dramatic productions.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 20, 1900, p. 6 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172806
[2] The Theatre, Volume 5, p. 430 — Wyman & Sons (1888) https://tinyurl.com/y78zrt3v
[3] Greenwood Weekly Times — Nov 15, 1901, p. 1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172955
[4] Greenwood Weekly Times — Nov 22, 1901 p. 3 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172957
[5] Boundary Creek Times — Nov 06, 1903, p. 4 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170782
[6] Boundary Creek Times — Nov 13, 1903, p. 3 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170801
[7] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 07, 1904, pp. 2 & 6 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170772
[8] Boundary Creek Times — Feb 24, 1905, . p6 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171885
[9] Boundary Creek Times — Mar 17, 1905, p.1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171708
[10] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 20, 1905, p. 5 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171680
[11] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 27, 1905 , p. 5 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172382
[12] Boundary Creek Times — Nov 30, 1906, p. 8 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172409
