Brooks, Maude Tomlinson

BROOKS

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 3/28/2008 at 14:28:23

Jackson Sentinel
June 18, 1954

MRS. MAUDE TOMLINSON BROOKS…
Sabula Woman In Her 43rd Road Show Year

(Editor’s Note: The following article appeared in the Sunday issue of the Des Moines Sunday Register of June 13. It was written by Lulu Mae Coe, a Register staff writer.)

Sabula, Ia. – “Our Mrs. Brooks.” White-haired, bright-eyed, still weighing only 125, paused just a moment in the wings before making her entrance.

This was the forty-third year she had come from the wings, to appear before home folks here. Memories that flooded through the instant’s pause were both sad and happy, but they meant full and rewarding years.

Forty-three years ago Maude Tomlinson Brooks was a quick, lively little person, the young star. Now she’s a lively little grandmother, who plays grandmotherly roles.

Runs Tent Show

The last two summers Mrs. Brooks had an added job. Since the death of her husband, Jack Brooks, she has operated the Brooks Stock Co., the only woman to hold such a job with a tent show, a “rep” company that has toured many a country road in the summer sun and storms of this area.

In most of those 43 seasons a tent show was the background for her talents, and it’s a tent show now. The big tent is as much her home as the little white house by the Mississippi river, where she has lived 35 years.

In fact, her home is a show adjunct before opening night. Some of her furniture is used on the set; popcorn is stored in her home; her stage wardrobe hangs under dust covers in the entry.
Tours Towns

Mrs. Brooks was co-owner and founder with her husband of the stock company which had its premier here 43 years ago, playing “Bridge at Midnight” in the old “op’ry” house.

Every year since that night it has opened in this town of 830 picturesquely jutting out into the river.

From it the show has moved into the same territory year after year, the smaller towns of south central and southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and then back here to winter quarters about Sept. 1.

Today there are hundreds of persons on the 14-week summer circuit who might get along without sun or rain, but never could do without the Brooks Stock Co. and, say, “Suzie Slick from Buzzard Creek,” or “The Mole on Mamie’s Knee.”
Want to Laugh

There’s more pure “corn” in a typical tent-repertory show than in all Iowa, but Mrs. Brooks said it’s the only “live” performance most of her audiences ever see and the people want to laugh, and laugh long and loud. They see stars in the movies, but they want their stock company to bring earthly entertainment.

Mrs. Brooks said tent audiences favor the bucolic “Toby” shows. “Toby” is the old-time country bumpkin type, shrewd under his witless ways and the law who makes everything come out all right.

On opening night here Addison Aulger, acting manager now in his seventieth year with the company, introduced the cast from the stage. Mrs. Brooks spoke reminiscently of her husband, who died in January of 1953; of her son (who grew up with the show) and who was killed in a merchant marine accident in 1946; of her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Stephanie Brooks. “This show was Jack’s life, and it has been mine,” she told the audience.

Later she remarked:

“It may seem a little silly for me to give that talk, but we are all friends on this circuit and many, many people knew my husband and my son for years. There’s a personal touch in our sort of show that you find no where else. All of us like it.”

On the opening day of the “Toby the Lovable Fool,” 1 ½ hours before the performance, a long line four or five abreast waited to buy tickets. Whole families came.

A graduate of Savanna, Ill., high school, Mrs. Brooks also attended the Chicago (Ill.) Musical College. Some of the professional training and years of lyceum and stage shows still are evidenced in her work.

She was in Green Bay, Wis., for a year; an ingénue at the Academy Theater in Chicago, at the Climax in Milwaukee, Wis. She tells of the theaters and of “The Anarchist,” “Madame X.” “Peg O’ My Heart,” and “Smilier Through” as though she were plucking happy hours from a bag full of memories.

She also toured Iowa with the Marshall Players, owned by her stepfather, H. B. Marshall, and Mrs. Marshall.

This season Mrs. Brooks is taking part in only two shows, “Toby the Lovable Fool” and “Papa is All,” a dialect comedy.

In addition to Mrs. Brooks there are seven or eight regular troupers, plus needed temporary help pulled from the crew.

Of this group is Michael Bullkely, IS, Loras Academy junior at Dubuque, Mike will drive the semi-trailer, with “Brooks” in huge electric lights on one side; help raise the tent – and act.

Cast members appear in entr’acte specialties, so there never is a quiet moment, because they have vociferous audiences. They also work as necessary – opening night the leading man took tickets before making love to the ingénue; one character woman sells tickets on her off-stage nights.

“You Done Wrong”

The “rep” troupers were putting on “audience participation” shows long before the radio came out from behind its earphones. They speak directly to the audience – and get a response.

When Toby asked: “Did I do right?” a strong voice from the audience roared: “No, you sure done wrong.”

Addison Aulger’s brother, Harrison Aulger, directed this season’s plays. The two had a two railroad car tent show, with headquarter in Missouri Valley, from 1907 to 1920 and then moved to Mankato, Minn.
Daughter of Pastor

Miss Gladys Bell, the pianist, is the daughter of the Rev. Edison M. Bell, who held pastorates at Lake City Missouri Valley, Wall Lake and Spirit Lake.

The Brooks show now moves in three trucks. The tent, seating a thousand people, is 110 by 60 feet, with a 24-foot stage opening. Mrs. Brooks, who values her total investment at more than $15,000, said she has in meet a daily pay roll in excess of $100.

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