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The Ham Show (Race Whitney)
(Salt Lake Press Club)
1904
16 – 17 May: Salt Lake Theater, Salt Lake City

 

With The First Nighters
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THE HAM SHOW
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Hamlet …..B. S. Young
Julius Caesar…..A. L. Lovey
Romeo…..John D. Spencer
Juliet…..John S. Crltchlow
Ophelia…..Tod Goodwin
Marc Antony…..A. K. Nicholson
Polonius…..Kenneth C. Kerr
Horatio…..G. E. Carpenter
Cassius…..Rev. P. A. Simpkln
Brutus…..Fisher S. Harris
Shylock…..Wm. A. Lieblein
First Gravedigger…..E. C. Penrose
Second Gravedigger…..Jack Royle
Sherlock Holmes…..Race Whitney
First Citizen…..H. E. Dunn

Above is the cast of characters, which unless all signs fail will appear in a mammoth production of Hamlet, as written by that rising young playwright, Mr Shakespeare. It is the great annual dramatic inspiration of the Salt Lake Press club, and will be produced in three acts and several scenes at the Salt Lake Theater on the evenings of May 16th and 17th.

Mr Shakespeare's version of the story of the Dane has been found faulty in places, and for that reason and also for the gayety of several nations other gentlemen of more or less international importance, have been introduced. Mr Shakespeare originally separated these characters n three or four plays, but it is thought that the object of this was to fill space, and no space writer in the Press club would stand for such an arrangement having personally had copy uct so often.

Romeo and Juliet, are at last in their proper places, and in as much as Caesar, Antony, Cassius and Brutus did their original stunt while on a Cook tour through Denmark, it is only proper that their appearance should be made in this production.

This will also be the first time Sherlock Holmes has ever appeared, as we know him, on any stage, and his clever work in putting down crime unassisted by his friend, Dr Watson, will bring him closer to the hearts of the people than ever before.

It has been found in some old press club records that Shylock was of Polish parentage, and later lived in Denmark, so he, too, will be true to life on his native heath. History also records that the original short line from Athens to Copenhagen had a traveling passenger agent, who was the first citizen to book Mr Caesar and his party, so the efficient young agent, Mr. Dunn, will be introduced in that character.
Mr Young's long familiarity with the Danish language makes him especially valuable as Hamlet.

The physique of Mr Lovey will stand him in good stead in his portrayal of Caesar, and Mr Spencer as Romeo will at last give the patient public the only up-to-date effect in an ideal lover. In beautiful contrast the graceful Critchlow as Juliet will be a winsome morsel, and in view of the lady's stature, no balcony will be necessary, merely a stepladder.

There has always been some doubt as to whether or not Ophelia was crazy, but after Mr Goodwin appears in the part it is thought that all doubt will vanish.

Mr Nicholson is an easy mark, and as Marc Antony will render a funeral oration that ought to make Caesar glad that he is dead.

Ken Kerr and George Carpenter as Polonius and Horatio will picture their characteristics so that the originals wouldn't know themselves, and Rev,. P.A. Simpkin will be a swell Cassius, having known and studied the lad some time before his death.

The Brutus of Fisher Harris will be joyful to contemplate, but it is a shame to have him play it while Mansfield is here, because professional jealousy may lead to a tragedy.

Mr Lieblein's Shylock promises to discount the original 60 per cent, and anyone who has heard him tell the story of "Ven I vas in Monte Carlo," knows that there'll be something doing.

Race Whitney's intimate acquaintance with Mr Holmes while assisting Jack London in writing “The People of The Abyss,” will mean the salvation of Holmes on the stage.

“Doleful Jan” Royle served an apprenticeship as a gravedigger while working for the Daly-Judge at Park City, and B. C. Penrose is an expert with a “scoop.”

All in all, the production will be the greatest revival of modern times, and the most strenuous survival endured by a modern audience.

Now scenery is being painted at great risk; 100 young ladies are being drilled for the magnificent ballet; glittering armor and gorgeous costumes are being constructed by skilled artisans and modistes, and no stone will be left unturned (that might be taken to the theater by the spectators) to make “The Ham Show” the theatrical event of the year.

Don't forget the dates, May 16th and 17th, and don't forget that the free list is entirely suspended. The staff in charge to date is as follows:

Race Whitney…..Director-General
H. L. A. Culmer…..Stage Director
Joel L. Priest…..Financial Manager
A. G. McKenzie…..Editor Souvenir Programme
E. B. Palmer…..Publicity Promoter

Goodwin’s Weekly, Saturday 9 April 1904

 

AMUSEMENTS

After tonight the celebrated “Ham Show” will be a matter of history. There are differences of opinion as to whether it would not be a great public benefit if the whole gigantic spectacle were already a recorded chronicle. There are not a few evidences abroad of the symptoms exhibited by the voracious small boy who has had too much mince pie.

Not that the public, like the youngster, didn’t enjoy it, because it did, but because with its keenly whetted appetite, it got too much. Of course this has application only to the patrons of the premiere performance. Others will feel the same way tomorrow and judging from the advance sale of seats there will be another multitude of them.

Last night’s production drew like ten thousand porous plasters. The audience won one that the late Edwin Booth himself would have been delighted to play before. It was large, it was brilliant, and it most generously suffered itself to be appreciative even in spots where the inclination must have come up out of a mighty inward effort. For, be it known, its grief was profound at the disclosure of so much talent having been hidden under a bushel, for lo these many years.

Some of it came out in the “Tom Show” as nature’s grime comes out in the wash, but oven the most ardent worshippers at the Shrine of the Press club were astounded at the versatility displayed.

To think for a moment of Harry Culmer having spent several decades of a life that might have become illustrious in the portrayal of the character of Denmark’s melancholy prince actually butchering his wealth of native ability by dabbling in matters of business and in painting evanescent pictures! Perish the thought. His work in that role last night places him for all time in the front ranks at hlstronic fame. Besides he was really handsome.

Heretofore divers persons of questionable taste have entertained that idea. Now the whole city knows it. And whoever heard of a Hamlet before who could talk Danish, Dutch and English at the same time? It was simply marvelous. And what matters it that he had some of the other nobles putting off to the woods for cues that he failed to give and for climaxes that even Race Whitney as Sherlock Holmes was unable to scent? This is the license of a star,  and through all the future Harry is a star of magnitude. Long may his light shine.

Romeo - John Spencer’s Romeo - It is simply indescribable. That balcony scene with Juliet - John Crltchlow’s Juliet - should be copyrighted before the going down of another sun. The royalty on that bit of work would so far discount the writing of life insurance policies and the running of a municipal recorders office, as a revenue maker, that comparison disappears at the thought of it

And the dead drunk dead-wife-poison-bromo-seltzer scene is one that Lincoln J. Carter will yet make a fortune out of unless it is forthwith nailed down. For pure unadulterated comedy-melodrama it Is destined to take a high place in the profession of play-building.

Mr Critchlow’s Juliet was a dream - of a certain sort. Her appearance was the signal for a scream that seldom diminished while she was on the stage; her dress was stunning - if massive, and her death scene so impressive that people were too pained to applaud.

Tod Goodwin’s Ophelia had at least one bright spot. That was the ballet dance in the first act, which he did like a veteran But as to the rest of it - if the original Ophelia was anything like her young twentieth century counterpart and the fact could be established the question of Hamlet’s sanity or insanity would easily be settled forever. Certainly no lover has had greater justification for going mad than that which the peroxide princess furnished poor Harry Culmer.

William A Lieblen did Shylock. And how he did him! Kenneth Kerr’s Polonius was a masterpiece – ask Kenneth. The audience will confirm what he says when he tells you his was a cleverly performed role. Horatio - Geo. B. Carpenter. Both spoken In the same breath. If the latter had lived In the days of the former and had been the real Horatio, it is clear that success would have followed in his footsteps. But seriously, Mr Carpenter looked his part and acted it, too, while his English accent and fine figure were much admired.

Race Whitney, the Ham Show’s Sherlock Holmes, author and actor - his polished work has cast a large, long and lasting shadow on the reputations of such men as Gillette. The way he had of bobbing up serenely at the painfully critical Junctures of the production puts him where he belongs - in line for the position of city detective.

It is not improbable that Alan Lovey, had he been a Roman would have been a Caesar; so true to the character typified was he that friends today notified several New York Shakespearean managers of his big hit. It is given out that he will make no more cartoons and that he will go into active training for the stage.

There was one man who never failed to score last night when he came on the stage. He was Angus Nicholson, who for probably the first time in the history of the world made Mark Antony a brave and brawny Scot. Besides he put Into his mouth an accent that would have made a native Highlander green with envy. His imitation of Sothern, too, was excellent and was justly applauded.

An announcement will be forthcoming in the course of a few days. It will be from Fisher Harris as Marcus Brutus and from Sam King as Cassius that last night’s was positively their first and last appearance. There will be genuine regret at this, for it is not often such work as theirs was is seen on any stage.

Messrs E.C. Penrose and J.C. Royle made a couple of as gruesome and capable gravediggers as could he found in any land and their friends regretted that they had so little to do. The mob was great, and Harry Josephs makeup alone worth the price of admission.

Mr Graham’s song was most artistic and the work of Mr Christensen’s dancers and the four skeleton tumblers was highly applauded. Everything went with dispatch and the final curtain fell at 10:20 o’clock.

Deseret Evening News, Tuesday 17 May 1904

 

“HAM SHOW” MAKES A HIT
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Brilliant Audience Is Present
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The Clever Burlesque Goes Off Without a Hitch in Any Way
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Some of Those Who Took Leading Parts – Many Familiar Faces in the Audience.
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FROM the fact that everybody kept his seat at the end of the “Ham Show” last night, it was evident that this performance was enjoyed by the large crowd present. The entertainment went off without a hitch and showed that the stage management had been capably looked after.

Of the whole play the first act was far and away the best. Throughout the entire act the laughter was kept up Continuously, the local allusions catching the sense of humor of the audience.

The balcony scene in particular took the popular fancy, and the performance of John D. Spencer as Romeo was pronounced very good. Especial mention must also be made of Bessie, whose canine strong-man stunt took the form of carting off the step-ladder on which Romeo had been going through his evolutions. In this act, also, Sherlock Holmes, as portrayed, by Race Whitney, had his best chance.

First Act the Best.

Everybody had the best of it in the first part. In the succeeding acts the pace that had been set from the start was not kept up. There was a great deal of fun and plenty of healthy amusement, but some parts were overdone and there was a little straining after effect. Still, the comedy element was strong all through the performance.

John S. Critchlow made a great hit as Juliet. In the duet he sang with J.D. Spencer, and the other one, later, with Ophelia, he made a strong bid for applause and got it. The last-named actor was so much appreciated that two floral tributes were handed him in the second act, which he did not grab very eagerly. Perhaps this was because one of them came from the green grocer and another from a stationery store.

Those Who Took Part.

Out of the best features of the evening was the rendering by William A. Lieblein of the part of Shylock. Voice and accent and dialect were perfect. George Carpenter, as Horatio, was “all there don’tcherknow,” being a good combination of Seven Dials and Bond Street. H.L. A. Culmer was the big Dane, all right, and he took "yoost de biggest part in de plae." Alan Lovey. as Julius Caesar, showed the great Roman as he should have been - up to date and modern, without any circumlocution.

Sherlock Holmes, alias Race Whitney, did not have much to do or say after the first act. but what part he had was well done. Angus Nicholson as Antony, Fisher Harris in the role of Brutus, and Sam King as Cassius, did very well and contributed their share of the evening's amusement. Kenneth Kerr, as Polonius, hardly had a part to give him a chance, but what he had to do was well done. The mob In the last act, which was composed of several of the best known men about town, was very well drilled and acted as a crowd should.

The ending of the play was amusing, from the fact that no one in the audience seemed to know that the show was over. Sherlock came to the footlights and said: “Will you kindly desist until the arrival of my friend, Doctor Watson?” and lit his cigarette, and the curtain went down. Then, when the audience remained in their seats, there went up from behind the curtain the merry ha-ha, and heads were poked out in derision.

Notable Audience Present.

No more fashionable audience has ever attended a production in the Theater. Every box was occupied, every seat on the main floor and many who usually occupy seats in the stalls or dress circle were seen in the balcony. All society, it seemed, was there, and a stranger entering the Theater might easily have been led to think that one of the leading stars and a great company had attracted the magnificent audience.

Several box parties were given. With Col. and Mrs Holmes sat Mrs Charles G. Plummer, Mrs Sara Bransford, Miss Grace Emery and Wallace Bransford. Mr Newhouse's guests included Miss Helen Gillespie, Miss Jasmina Young and Miss Elizabeth Mclntyre. Mr and Mrs A.H. Tarbet's guests were Mr and Mrs Lindsay R. Rogers, Miss Hester Lavells and Miss Helen Rogers. Mr and Mrs Russell G. Schulder occupied another stall, while Mr Peery's guests were Louis McCornick and Walter G. Filer.

Scattered over the house were such well-known members of Society as Gov. andMrs Wells, Mr and Mrs Jay Tarvln Harris, Mr and Mrs W.M. Ferry. Mr and Mrs Richard A. Keyes, Mr and Mrs Clifford R. Pearsall, Mr and Mrs W.W. Armstrong, Mr and Mrs John J. Judson, Mr and Mrs William H. Cunningham, Mr and Mrs William Igleheart, Rev. Mr and Mrs George C. Hunting, Dr and Mrs U.A. Withee of Ogden, Mr and Mrs Frederick C. Dern, Mrs William Manning O'Brien, Miss Laura Sherman, Miss Salisbury, Judge William H Dickson, Miss Pike, Miss Monohan, J.H. White, Mr and Mrs Frederick W. Sinclair, Miss Klnnev, Miss Read, Mrs Ledyard M. Bailey, Mrs Austin, Mrs De Camp, Mr and Mrs James X. Ferguson, Judge and Mrs Henry P. Henderson, Mr and Mrs Frank B. Stephens, Mr and Mrs S.V. Shelp, Dr Crltchlow, Mr and Mrs David R. Gray, George N. Lawrence, Clem Schramm, Dr H.N. Mayo, Judge and Mrs Elias A. Smith, Miss Pearl Weller, Mr and Mrs Elbridge Thomas. Miss Mary Olive Gray, Judge and Mrs W.C. Hall, Mr and Mrs Ernest Bamberger, Judge and Mrs C.C. Goodwin, Mr and Mrs Arthur W. Copp, Mr and Mrs L. L. Terry, Mrs Sarah McChrystal,  Mrs Ed Parsons of Denver, Mr and Mrs Lee Charles Miller, E. B. Crltchlow, Miss Beth Crltchlow, Mr and Mrs James Chambers Dick, Miss Miller, Miss Marge Miller, Miss Aileen Maclean, Mr and Mrs Frank Knox, Hugh Satterlee, Mr and Mrs L.H. Farnsworth, Mrs W.W. Flagg, Mrs David S. Murray, Mr and Mrs Lewis Cecil Robinson, Mrs Robert Goul Smith, Miss Noble, Miss Kate Williams, Judge and Mrs. O.W. Powers, Mr Topliff and many others.

Salt Lake Tribune, Tuesday 17 May 1904

“HAM SHOW” IS HISTORY
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Second Night Draws Good House.
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Some of the Local Men Who Won Applause as Actors.
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Night Ends in a Round-Up of Newspaper Men and Their Friends at the Club.
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ANOTHER good house greeted the second and final presentation of the Press club's Ham show at the Salt Lake Theater last night. Like the Tom show and all of the other great hits of the past decade the Ham show was a complete success from a financial standpoint. All of the master plays show to a few empty seats in the galleries after the first night - what better indication of the greatness of the Press club production is wanted?

It would hardly be fair to say that what the house lacked last night in number it made up in intelligence; but it is nothing more than just to state that it was a select audience and one capable of appreciating the realistic interpretation of Shakespeare's immortal tragedy.

There was not a hitch in the proceedings and Sherlock Holmes (Race Whitney) was always in the right spot at the right time The gown worn by Juliet was something to excite the envy of the female portion of the audience and the wearer's modest grace, something to make them cry with laughter. Little John S. Critchlow - six feet six - took the part.

The role of Ophelia, the other woman In the cast, was filled by Tod Goodwin. A basso note in his voice now and then had a tendency to cause some of the girls present to believe that Ophelia was not a woman, but when he gathered up his skirts and danced, and responded to an encore, all doubt vanished - only a girl could dance like that. Even the men who know the actor said that is a girl who looks like Tod.

H. L. A. Culmer as Hamlet and George E. Carpenter as Horatio as well as Kenneth C. Kerr as Polonius and John L. Spencer in the part of Romeo all displayed much ability in facing the footlights. Friends of Mr Culmer will not be surprised if he speaks with a Danish accent for the next few days, nor an English air on the part of Mr Carpenter must not be taken as affectation.

A. K. Nicholson as Marc Antony, with a broad Scotch dialect, took the house by storm. His eloquent words over the lively corpse of Sherlock Holmes at the funeral of the murdered Caesar and the largest Roman citizenry presented a fitting finale. The part of Julius Caesar was ably filled by Alan L. Lovey.

Sam King and Fisher S. Harris, as Caius Cassius and Marcus Brutus, were there in tights and with dangling swords. They did some clever stunts together with a meat axe. The quips and jokes were all of the usual high standard and good for three hits.

Others deserving of favorable mention were William A. Lieblein as Shylock, who was exceptionally good; W. D. Van Blarcom, Jr, as the Soothsayer, and J. C Rovle, Jr, and Ed C. Penrose as First and Second Grave Diggers.

An Invitation was received by the management last night to play in Ogden. The offer was refused. After the play last night a sumptuous banquet and rally was given to the members of the cast and the Press club in the club rooms of the pencil pushers.

Special credit for the success of the affair is due Harry Culmer, Race Whitney and John D. Spencer. They were tireless in their labors in the preparation and staging of the show. Mr Culmer was forced at the last minute to take the part of Hamlet because of the unavoidable absence from the city of B. S. Young.

The programme was highly commended as a neat piece of printing and filled with clever stuff.

Salt Lake Tribune, Wednesday 18 May 1904