THE MICHIGAN DAILY. ossip, in Theatrical Circ e Count, but Maria goes to Plon's lodg- ings and secures the diamonds before his death. When Bulford and a young detective, Dick Brummage, arrive, they*find only a package of old let- ters, which Bulford takes home. Upon perusing them he discovers evidence of his wife's relations with the dead thief and suffers an apoplectic stroke while denouncing her. Maria gives him a glass of poisoned wine, and he dies. With the connivance of her brother Maria manages to have Frank Laxelot, a young clerk whom Bulford has quarreled with and discharged, shang- hied upon a tramp steamer, making it appear that Frank is guilty of the murder and has run away. Frank es- capes In a small boat and returns to New York. Detective Brummage, in love with Frank's sister, Mary, sets out to con- vict Maria and clear Frank. He in- troduces Mary into Maria's home as a maid, to secure evidence against the conspirators. Maria attempts to sell the diamonds to a notorious "fence", Mother Rosen- baum, who hates Don Plon and his woman accomplice because they be- trayed her son to the police in Rus- sia. Maria, discovering that Mary is in league with Brummage, makes Mother Rosenbaum believe that Mary, and not herself, was the former ac- complice of Don Plon. Mother Rosen- baum decoys Mary to her house and imprisons her, where she is finally rescued by Brummage. Maria, having won the protection of a powerful politician, appears at a re- ception in his home, wearing the MRS.FISKE STANDS AT TOP OF LADDER ~{ ; t iK K . :: > , ... . Celebrated List POSITION Actress Heads the of Theatrical Stars In America Long IS WELL DESERVEDI In the hisory of the stage in Amer- ica there have been emparatively few names that have and will stand out with a never dimming luminosity. Mrs. Fiske's, of course, is one, and as the past has not, the future probably will not disclose one so unique in ac- complishment. This gifted woman stands absolutely alone, not only in what she has done but in the influence she has exerted. Prior to her memorable productions of "Tess" and "Becky Sharp", the stage was weighted down by tradi- tions as to elocution, what is techni- caly known as "business"-the action, by-play, etc., that accompany the spoken words in the encompassing of a character--and mise en scene. These traditions and fossilized forms were cast to the winds by Mrs. Fiske and her new creed of naturalness was in effect a proclamation of emancipation to the American stage, and there has been no return to the old order of things. The shackles were struck for good and all. Another thing which Mrs. Fiske buried "ten thousand fathoms deep" was the inviolate axiom that the "star" must be the "be all and end all" of the play. To her everlasting credit will stand the ensemble per- formance and the more than one part play. It has always been her aim to secure the best cast possible for any play in which she was to appear. Con- trary to the pr'actice of many of our modern stars who insist upon a med- iocre support so that their own work will shine in contrast, and in a goodly number of instances it is the only way it could shine, Mrs. Fiske has gathered together a succession of casts that have been simply dazzling in their brilliancy. Just recall "Tess" with Charles Coghlan, Edward M. Bell, and Annie Irish; "Becky Sharp" with Maurice Barrymore and Tyrone Power; "Leah Kleschna" with John Mason, George Arliss, Charles Cart- Readng Le/ oIyht 7p Pow GAIL KANE EL ITA PROCTOR.OTIJ C1CHAf.J.Pff--WALLACE EDDINGER .MARTIN J.Al. pOoromn PUPNELL t PRATT DOROTHY ARTh Cast of "The Great Diamond Robbery", at the Majestic, May 21-23. wright and William B. Mack; "The New York Idea" with Mason and Ar- liss; "Salvation Nell" "hiit Holbrook Blinn, and "The lligh Road" with Ar- thur Byron and Frederick Perry. Her companies have been perfect training grounds for stars and her splendid art has leavened the entire stage of the country through those who have gone from her companies to others. And such productions as the Fiskes have made! The ball-room scene in "Becky Sharp", the wonderful in- teriors in "The New York Idea", the marvelous street in "Salvation Nell", that second act epitome of sumptuous- ness and beauty in "The High Road" ---where has there been anything to equal or approach them! Consider these in connection with the casts already referred to, and even the most unthinking laymen will get some idea of the obligations laid upon the Amer- ican stage by its most brilliant and interesting figure and her., wonderful- ly efficient co-worker, for it is a co- partnership in, art that is happy in- deed, that between Mrs. Fiske and her husband. It is Mr. Fiske who "iakes the productions", his latest achieve- ment in'this direction, prior to "The High Road" having been "Kismet" Mrs. Fiske in "Mfrs. Bumstead-Leigh", at the Whitney, May 18. HISTORIC STORY TOLD ON SCRE A moving picture productio Dickens' famous masterpiece, " Copperfield" will be presented a Majestic theatre for three days, nee and night, starting tomorrow film will be offered by the Hep Manufacturing Co., in seven pai The dramatization 'follows c the thred of the novel. iIt tells David Copperfield, shortly afte death of his beloved father, be aware of the attention of one Mr. dock to his, mother. His displ& at such attention is markedly ev ed, and as a result he is dispatcl a visit to Aunt Peggoty's homei n mouth, which has been made upturned boat by the side of th Here he meets little Emnily. The story then goes on to de David's rise to fame and fortun the closing scenes the Mica' who have gone to follow their lu Australia, seated around their Yi table, rise.in toast to the Coppe family. COMING ATTRACTIONS. Whitney Theatre May 18-Mrs. Fiske. Majestic T eatre May 18-24-David Copperfield. May 21-23-The Great Diamond Rob- bery. WINS APPROBATION OF BURNS MANTLE' In "Mrs. Bumstead.Leigh", Mrs. Fiske Delights Critic of New York Evening Mail HER COMEDY DECLARED IDEAL Mr. Burns Mantle, who 'as dramatic critic on the Chicago Inter-Ocean for a number of years and later on the $ Tribune, made for himself such a repu- tation that he "moved up higher" and has been serving for the past year or more in a similar capacity on the New York Evening Mail, said of "Mrs. Bumstead-Leigh", which Mrs. Fiske is to present at the Whitney theatre on Monday, May 18: "Have you by any chance, in tak- ing the country air on a Sunday or a holiday ever noticed an apparently high-bred, well-groomed colt dancing through a perfect artist's dream of a pasture, full of the joy of equine life and perhaps a peck or so of oats? You have? Then you should have but little difficulty in understanding what we mean when we say that that was exactly the mind picture dear Mrs. Fiske suggested in playing 'Mrs. Bumstead-Leigh' and Mrs. Fiske plays it with an enthusiasm that is irresist- ible, and a suggestion of individual joy in the lark she is having that is most happy. "In 'Mrs. Bumstead-Leigh', Mrs. Fiske charmingly plays herself plus the fun the author, Harry James Smith, has given her. She is hand- some, happy and artfully buoyant, and never without that perfect grasp on the best high comedy technique our stage knows". Besides Mrs. Fiske, the cast of "Mrs. Bumstead-Leigh", which comes to the Whitney, May 18, contains: Grace Griswold, Malcolm Duncan, Kate Mayhew, Kenneth Hunter, Fay Bainter, and Nina Melville. + MAKES NO CLAIM, TO SUBTLE PLOT "The Great Diamond Robbery", an Early Majestic Booking, Is but and Out Melodrama. GAIL KANE PLAYS VILLAINESS Daniel V. Arthur, the noted theatri- cal producer, will present a thrilling photoplay entitled "The Great Diam- ond Robbery" at the Majestic theatre for three days, starting Thursday, May 21. Three performances will be given daily, at 3:00, 7:00 and 9:00 o'clock respectively. This is the first time that such .an attraction has ever been shown except at $2 prices. "The Great Diamond Robbery" was written by Edward Alfriend and A. C. Wheeler and contains 250 scenes. Opening in St. Petersburg with the theft, by a notorious thief, Don Plon, of the famous Romanoff diamonds Mrs. Fiske. jewels. She is confronted by Brun wage, with Mary and Frank, and de- nounced by Count Garbiadoff just ar- rived from Russia. Realizing the end has come, the beautiful adventuress dies by poison, falling headlong down the grand staircase at the feet of her accusers. Cast of Characters A scene from "The Great Diamond Robbery" from the Count Garbiadoff, the action of the play speedily transports the beholder across the Atlantic to New York, where Don Plon, unable to dis- pose of the stolen jewels has sought refuge. His former sweetheart, Maria Marino, has married Dr. Bulford, a wealthy New Yorker. On his death- bed Don Plon sends for Dr. Bulford, desiring to return the jewels to the Count Garbiadoff ...... Martin J. Alsop Maria, a Brazilian adventuress... .........................Gail Kane Mario, Maria's brother............ ........ . .....Purnell 13. Pratt Don Plon, an adventurer and 4hief ....................Stapleton Kent Mr. Bulford.......... Charles J. Ross Mother'Rosenbaum's son.Frank Hardy Mother Rosenbaum, a "fence"..... . .................Elita Proctor Otis Frank Lavelot.... Herbert Darrington Mary Lavelot......... Dorothy Arthur Dick Brummage, a private detec- tive .............Wallace Eddinger. Gail Kane, who plays the leading role in "The Great Diamond Robbery", is an actress of note. She has appear- ed successfully in "As a Man Thinks", "The Model" and "The Divorcons". Last fall she created an important part in "Seven Keyes to Baldpate". .; 4 At the Whitney theatre, Monday, May 18.