Our Past Is Present August 3, 2017

August 3, 2017

            You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today’s story is about a harsh criticism of a play that was performed at the Opera House in August of 1907.  Apparently not all summer entertainment lived up to expectations according to a review of a play present in Junction City in August of 1907.  The review stated it had been the custom of a certain class of stage people, when they wanted a vacation to band together and tour the country with a performance of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” This was done by those more desirous of salary than anything more permanent.  The consequences was that the average “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” production was not all that it should be and the performance at the Opera House the previous evening was in no way an exception to the rule. 

            According to the reviewer, the play itself was always disappointing after one had read the book by Harriet Beecher Stowe.  The development of the play, through the work of such companies during the last half of the century had been rather disastrous to the individuality of the story.  “The show last night was poor”, stated the critic.  He went on to write that “the story was supposed to be a tragedy of the most pathetic type, but it takes good acting to do tragedy  and not make it laughable.  When it was well acted, it is a fine thing, but on the other hand when it is murdered and also dissected it is a most painful production.  The audience was large, but many left before the play was over”. 

            The review concluded that “this play was out of date anyway and the sooner it is laid on the shelf for the worms to worry over, the fewer occasions there would be for harsh and adverse criticism.”

            Wow!!! That was harsh – but from the critics perspective deserved.  It has been rare that a poor performance is seen at our C.L. Hoover Opera House.  We hope you will join us this season to see a few or all of the productions.