Mitchell Daily Republican
South Dakota, USA
23 November 1888
The Clifford Dramatic Company
Yankton Press: The opera house was filled at an early hour Tuesday night
to witness the first presentation in this city by the Edwin Clifford
Dramatic Company, of the weird, blood curdling drama "The Strange Case of
Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde." This dramatisation is very different from Richard
Mansfield's and is in many respects an improvement. Edwin Clifford in the
dual role of the good Dr. Jekyll and the monster Hyde carried the house
with him and received much merited applause. The changes made by this
artist were startling in the extreme - one moment the benevolent doctor,
his very presence a benediction, the next instant a fiend that would shame
Dante's inferno - had usurped his place, and with harsh, guttural voice,
protruding fangs, disheveled hair and leering look, froze the auditor.
There was no denying the fact that this is a horrible spectacle - but
still the public will crowd to see it.
The comedy element is strong and brought down the house - showing that the
drama relieved by a background of humor. The support of Miss Augusta
VanDoren, Messrs. Page, Young, Beith and others, could not be improved on.
We have got the craze and for the next few days will be Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde on the brain.
