The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-02

The Barrie Comedy at English's.
1.-The Professors Love Story is such
bright little play that one wonders why so
little of it has been seen on the American
stage. E. s. Willard. the distinguished
English actor, introduced 1t to this country
about ten years ago. and from time to time
since then 1t has been presented by various
stock companies in the large cities. but
last nights performance at English's af-
forded Indianapolis theatergoers their first
opportunity in a long time to witness
presentation of this first of J. NJ. Barrie's
comedies.
Indianapolis is VIGOROUSLY slow in rally
ing to the support of a new star. and the
audience at the opening of Harry Beres-
ford's engagement was not so large as the
attraction merited. That the audience was
not larger is hardly to be wondered at,
however as Mr. Beresford comes as an en-
tire stranger to the local stage. He proves
to be a comedian whose acquaintance is
well worth making. His company is an un-
pretentious little organization, but 1t Is
quite capable one. No great claim was
made in advance concerning this production
of the Barry play; it was merely promised
that the piece would be competently acted
and adequately staged, and this promise is
fulfilled.
1.-THE Professors Love Story is a refined
as we'll clever and interesting comedy.
1t contains no dramatic action to speak of,
but from literary viewpoint 1t Is gem.
1t is charming from the first line to the
sketched, Professor Goodwillie is success
full London scientist who has devoted the
best years of his life to study. research
and the writing of books, and until he en-
cages a sweet little woman as secretary
he doesn't know what 1t means to fall in
love- He soon makes up for lost time, and
IL 4Ax~l A~ l.1x ,1,e all
powerful influence over him that he i'm
| AGNES something terrible is the matter
with him. both physically. and mentally.
| in doctor-an old friend of his school days
| to give him treatment. But 1t isn't such
| a mistake, after all. for the good old doc
| trouble and does much toward bringing
about a happy climax to the professors
| affair of the heart. Lady Gliding, young
| widow, is bent upon marrying the profess
sor on account of his wealth, and does
| everything in her power to trap the sci
| enlist into proposal. The pretty secre-
| tary, whose name is Lucy White, enter
| tains at first an honest respect for her
| employer. and this respect ripens into love
| as she learns to know him better and to
| appreciate his many good qualities. AL
though his own sister is set against his
| wedding the girl, and in spite of the eff
forts of Lady Gliding and her noble rela-
| tives to break up the match, the professor
wins his little sweetheart in the end-and
| In a way that is at once humorous and pa
thetic.
| Mr.. Beresford gives a well-sustained por-
| trayal of Professor Goodwillie. 1t is part
that might easily be overdone, but he al
| ways keeps within the bounds of legitimate
comedy playing and artistically refrains
| from any exaggeration. A good characteri-
zation is that of A. Burt Wesner in the
role of DR.. CoZens; Frank Webb is accept
| able English nobleman. although
| sometimes forgetful of his accent and the
smaller male parts are well taken care of
by Harry Mack John r. Cumpson and j.
| w. Hartman. Julia Bachelor displays de-
| lightful brightness and archness in the
character of Lucy, and her laughter is good
to hear. She seems hardly equal to por-
traying pathetic emotion, but fortunately
| she is called upon for little acting of this
kind. Edith Ward deserves credit for the
clever manner in which she plays the part
| of the frivolous Lady Gliding and Kate
Bruce, Nellie Lndroth and Mollie Revel
are all equal to the requirements of their
| respective parts.
The play is prettily staged. the second
and third acts being mounted in a very at
tractive manner. 1t is, in fact, very en-.
| joyable performance. There will be mat
inee this afternoon and a final presentation
| Of the piece tonight.