New York Clipper (Oct 1915)

October 16 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER NEWS PHILADELPHIA STOCK REWS. Manager Leaby, of the Walnut Street Thentrc, "has gone ar.d done It!'' For the week ot Oct. 4 the bill presented by this ezeellent company was "PoUy of tne Clrcos," with Edith TallufL-rro as the star, sapported by E&rl Brown. MlsB Taliaferro's portrayal of the swe«t little pcrseiirted circus rider. Polly, was a revelation. This charmlne little woman had her aodlence leaping from laughter to tears and back ageln by her excellent handling of the role. Mr. Brown gaTe able support a» the Rev. John Douglas, the lundbearted young pastor, who takes Polly In nfter her accident, and proceeds ao tall In loTc with her and protect her from the Tillage gossips. Mr. Brown gave a qalet and dlgnlQed character- ization of the rebellious minister. Maud Blalr, as Mrs. WUlonghby. although In a role unsulted to her ability, did full justice to It. Miss Blolr Is worthy of better things tnan the part ot a gossiping woman of the small town yarlety. Blargnerlte Austin, as Pulla Strong, was very weak, and at times It seemed as though she were not sure of her lines. Ada Deares, as Mandv. the colored mammy, showed knowledge of stage presence and expres- sion which can only be gained by long experience, although at times Mlsd Deares was lightly Inclined to eliminate pieces of business which. If used, would have helped a whole lot. Cecil Lugrin, as Deacon Elverson, and H. B. Norman, os Deacon Strong, made the characters of those delectable hypocrites a pleasure to contem- plate, especially Mr. Lugrln's characterization of the weak and protesting old Deacon, who seems to live In constant fear of being discovered In the act of breathlug by Strong. Marlon Balro, ns .Miss Perkins, the talkative old spinster, was very good, as was Hugh Harper, as the doctor. Bernard Steele, as Big Jim, the boss canvasman. was robust and sterling In the part, and carried the scenes he was In to the highest possible point of commendation. T. B. Leahy, as Joe Barker, the owner of the circus, carried us back to the days when Walter Mains' show was flourl^ng and the short change men at the fairs and carnivals were at large. Other Important roles were .filled by Colin White, as Tooy, the old clown; Leon Kelly, as Hasty JoDcs, and C. A. Williams, as the clown In the ring scene. 'The production, as a whole, was excellent, the !>c<*nes were very realistic and the clrous acts in the ring scene lent color to the play. W. H. Leahy announces that starting Oct. 11, a permanent company wilt be Installed, conslfftlng of the present resident members, with the addition of Irene Osber and Robert Hyman. as leads. The bUI will be "Tbo Vampire," with "Within the Law" underlined. « The Knickerbocker Players, at the Knicker- bocker Theatre, gave a nnlshed pertotmance ot "Bought and Paid For," week of Oct. 4. Frances Shannon, the new leading lady, as the young w.fe, was fully equal to the demands put upon her, and gave a capital performance. Ur. Brackett b,v his good work as the hnrband further strengthened his poslton as favorite. Carrie Thatcher and Ur. La Salle, In the comedy roles, were deservedly well received, and the rest of the cast, bidlvldnallty and collectively, were given full credit for their several portrayals. crescent" PUYERS. Crescent Theatre, Brooklyn, N. T., week of Oct. 4. We owe Dorothy Shoemaker, of this company, an apology. Mlar, Shoemaker doesn't know we owe her an apology; in fact, we didn't know it ourselves until we had seen her performance of Polly. Prior to this we thought the heroine of "FoUy of the Circus" was for Ingenues only. Miss Shoemaker gave a different pertotmance from any we have seen, bnt it was a finished, clever portrayal that she showed us. The only criticism we have to offer is that she lacked a cer- tain girlish appearance which the role calls for, and which doubtless could have been supplied by a girlish wig. Edward Kverett Horton, as the Rev. John Douglass, had a part that fitted him splendidly. He acted with dignity and feeling. Beatrice Moreland was somewhat exaggerated as Mandy Jones, a colored servant. In the early arte; later she became more natural, displaying the aUlltv she naturally possesses. Ralph Remley. as iHaa^ Jones, same color— opposite sex, was satisfactorily cast. We have seen nias. C.' Wilson to much better advantage than he appealed as Joe Barker. Wm. B. Blake made Big Jim, the boss canvag- man, stand out prominently. James R. Field, as Toby, the clown, was only fairly effective. Arthur Mack must have been a good doctor to cure Folly In a conple of short acts. Joseph Lawrence, as Deacon Strong, played forcefully, while James Bradley, as Deacca ElTcr- eon, got several laughs. There were quite a bundle ot Bradleys. Willie Wlllonghbv was played by M^ter Smmet Brad- ley, and played all right, too; Oladys Bradley waa Jennie Wlllonghby, a little girl, wlio did a good crying solo. To see Miss Perkins, a spinster, was enough to make Virginia Howell, meaning that the angular female was nicely played by Miss Howell. Faith Avery, the new Ingenue, looked pret^ as Julia' 9tr6ne. a omall part. - Margaerlte'Tebean made Mrs. WllloagSiby a typical village gossip. Vbe program said Alice Thompson was .MSe. Elete. a bareba^ rider. This week, "The Trail of the Lonesome Fine." ' • • ' Le'Boy. WADSWORTH STOCK CO. Wadtwcrth Theatre, Hew York, Week Oct. 4. ''Tess of the Storm Country" served as a vehicle to bring the TMttrons of this well liked company out In large numbers, as well as showing their talents to the best advantage. RPchard Oeden was masterful as Frederick (iraves. It is not a role that calls forth the actor's latent powers, but Mr. Ogden gave all that it demanded. Welba Lestlna. In the title role, acted con- scientiously, Tess Is not a character for the novice, and as portrayed by Miss Lestlna It was a most capable performance. For the second consecutive week, Harry Hugue- not appeared as a nut. And he was a good nut; even If he was cracked. But how will Mr. Hugue- not act when he again plays a whole man? David Chase, In the heavy role of Ben Letts, gave us a uurprlse. That there may i>c no mis- understanding, we win say that It was a pleasant sunirlse. James G. Morton was satisfactory, because he wa.s "Satisfied" Longman. Carroll Daly, as O'm Skinner, gave a conscientious i>erformance. We doubt If he can do anythlngelse. Don Jordan and 'rom Hecker were capably handled by Baker Moore and Jack Doyle, re- spectively. Editb Spencer played Myra Longman In a man- ner deacrvlni; of much praise: Please accept ours. Miss Spencer. Alice Carrlngton, as Teola Graves, gave a coloi^ less performance. Ginger up. Miss Carrlngton, we know yon can do much better. Constance Glover played Mother Molly, a witch. She was the best witch In the play. iHfirry Hoy, as Ellas Graves, was at times good, and at other times not quite so good; and why did he^crslst In wecrlng Ms hat while In the house ot "My Wife" this week. Go up and sec her. Le Roy. MacCORDY* PLAYERS. Qottiam Theatre, Brooklyn, N. T., week Oct. 4. "Monte Cristo" was the offering at this out- lying house, and East New Yorkers turned oat In large numbers to see a revival of this good old melodrama. Edward Damey, as Bdmond Dante, was on'y fair in the role. Mr. Darney lacked fire In the more stirring scenes, but was onore satisfactory In those calling for repose. Mercedes, as played by Margaret Armstrong, was dignified, and at times ccovlnclng. Herbert B. Cheeley was very weak as Danglars. He <|ld little more than read the lines, and none too well at that. J. J. Hyland can generally be depended upon to handle capabl.v any role entrusted to him. His VUlefort was no exception. The Caderousse of James Kyle MacCurdy was generally amusing, and when dramatic acting was required Mr. MacCurdy waa not lacking. The honors of the performance fell to Eate Woods Flake, as Carconte. This lady gave a character Impemouatlon 'way above the ordinary. We should like to see Miss Flske play Mother Frochard. Leo Kennedy, as Nortler, end Claude Miller, as Femande, contributed good acting in their respec- tive roles. The same may be said of William Phelps, as Albert. Harry Tutten a'cted, he also sang between the acts. His singing wasn't bad. WUUam Nlcols. as Murel. was all that could be asked of him. Kfarguerltc Henry had little more to do than look pretty, and she did. Minor characters were fairly well sustained by varlons members ot the company. This week, "The Sacrifice," a play dealing on the late Leo l<^nk episode. Le Roy. OPENING OF STBJLSD. Everything Is progressing favorably towards what will be the event of the season to theatre- goers—that Is—the opening ot the Now Strand Theatre, Cedar Rapldu. .la., on Oct. 18. "Within ihe Law" will be the opening bill. Among the players now rehearsing might be mentioned Louise Price, leading lady of Albee .<:tock. Providence; Maud Barber, of Castle Square Stock, Boeton: Marie Steffen. of Poll Stock, Hartord: Oc- tavia Ellis, of Poll Stock, Waslhlngton. D C. The male members wUl InicludeTFrank blllen, ot Alcazar Stock, San Francisco; Edmund Abbey, of Bronx Theatre Stock, New lork City; Bert Wil- cox, of Crescent Theatre Stock, Brooklyn; James Ardmore, for two years the original Inspector Bntfee, lo the Now York production of "within tte Laiw;" Qeopgc l^lor, of Sbnbert Theatre Stock, of Milwaukee: claries Miles, of the Klng- Lviich Playera, ot Worcester; Percy Bollnger, of Walnut Theatre Players, PWladelphla; Anthonv Blair, assistant director of Vaughan Glaser Stock Cleveland. With two exceptions all of the menibers of the company have been under the direction of Harry Myers, the house manager, or Mr. Home, the director, for two or three different engagements, 60 their ability and talent is well known to theK gentlemen, thns assuring the best only In the line ot players. ^ opo^ ,tfay will be the great S*?.'** ^ t"?.?" •'Broadway Jones." *mie XI1'">^»S!'5?? \.*"<' Oie great Isogb pro(iactlon, "Stop Thlrf.'- thus makb^ every week "bai^G ?e«k" to the patrons of tte New Strand Th2SS Stock Co. FRAUCBB McGrath I.KADIRO WOMAN TEMPLE THEATKE. HAMILTON, ONT:, CAN. EVKL.YN VARDEN LEADING IVOHAN Park Theatre. St. Loals. Mo. HAL WALNUT ST. THEATRE PHILA^, PA. G U R V E Y LIgbC Comedy and JUTenlles. At Liberty after Oct. 7. Care "M OLLY and I" CO.. LoSslle Opera House. Chicago.. BERTHA KRIEGMOFF liBte liend of tlie "P&lr or Sixes" Co. Addrvaa Cl^IPPER. Under Management of 19'atban Appall Auditorium, lUalden, Mass. tfASJOAIB a. .M-^MWtJM tj'^a Phone. Bryant 3194. FROM AMERICAN PLAY COMPAHY, One of the most successful weeks, both from a laughing and a uxoey standpoint, occurred In New Haven, where the Poll company gave a corking performance ot Fred Ballard's Harvard Prize ploy, "Believe Me, Xantlppe." Mr. Ballard Is also au- thor ot "Young America." John T. Dwver, the well known stock actor, has up Just closed with Corse Payton, In Springfield, itt The Grand Opera House ti» Brooklyn cleaned ■"•Ui the well-nlgh perfect performance of Blllle Burke's comedy, "Jerry." The Poll Players In Washington will appear In a strong line of the latest New York successes within Uie rieit few weeks. "The Dummy," "Kick ^1 <*y Land" are a few that wIU entertain the capital. "Polly of the Circus" still proves a big winner. The Crescent, in Brooklyn, is standing them up this week with a splendid production of this plai of circus life. George Farren had an enormous success when he opened his excellent company at the War- burton, In Yonkere, last Monday night, In "Nearly Married," before a capacity audience. Bnslncas reached the record for an opening week. Bertram Harrison and Jessie Bonstelle started off their fifth year In Northampton, Mass. Their opening week was a big one and they look forward to a successful season. Edwin Curtis Is in charge ot the productions, which means that they will be of the very highest standard. Ernest Wilkes, the well known manager ot the stock In Salt Lake, will produce four rattling good plays, commencing with next Monday night's per- formance of "Under Cover," with "The Fight," "The ArgYle Cose" and "Fine Feathers" following in the order named. Fred Ballard's snceessful farce. "Believe Me, Xnntlppe," makes Its laughing appearance in Onion Hill and Hartford, Conn., the some week. The following week this delightful comedy will b« the Jov of the audiences in Tonkera. Poll's, In Washington, wUl play "At Bay" and . then brpeze along in LilUan BnsaeU's biggest sac- cess, "Wildfire." ' BRUCB RINALDO and BEILBNB DBL wa^g after a season with the Bavldge Flayera. in lead- ing roles. wHl close their engagement, Oct 3S. at Wsyoe, Neb., when Mr. Savldge terminatas his. Summer tour, after a tnoat vrosperous twent7-OB» we<Hin o f Sum mer stock. rOHOTHT SHOEVGAKBlt, of the Crescent Stock,. Brooklyn, will go Into vaudeville on tlie naitr<t time. • BOBBBT GLECKXfR. of the Crescent Stock, New Orleans, will shortly clou* witfc that Izatlon.