The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-22
DELIGHTFUL COMEDY
BERESFoRD IN BARRELS PLAY
 MORE THAN PLEASED.
"The Professors Love Story" Was a Delightful Comedy, Interpreted by An Excellent Actor, with
 Excellent Support.

One of the best comedies, one Of the most delightful entertainments of Mont gomery's theatrical season has come ana gone The Professors Love Story" at the Mont gomery Theatre last night. was quaint, of absorting interest, and of rare charm.
 It was exhilarating, this odd and fasci- hating love story. which unfolds sc naturally, with such gentle humor. and runs its way along sunny ways of laughter to showdowny and subtle pathos.
 It is one of the discouraging signs of the times that a bizarre and mediocre musical comedy could i'll the house when a comedy of genuine literary merit, woven together in the full undeprstanding of human hearts, and interpreted by an artistic actor with more than eompetent supporting company should play to many empty seats. This condition is not exactly creditable to latter day theatre goers. Assuredly those who sat under the spell of last nights performance had reason to congratulate themselves. I The audience eagerly watched the story unfolded, repressing at times the spell of laughter lest a word should be lost breaking into spontaneous applause when the descending curtain broke the spell The story Is by Barrie the little Scotch man with the wonderful insight into hearts and with a rare power of stirring emotions. His delicate. but irresistible sentiment, his quaint and effective humor, and his satire were never displayed to better advantage than the ''The Profess sors Love Story" But Barrie was not alone responsible for the success of last nights performance. The play which a genius wrote was interpreted by an artist, a much abused word, but the right one to apply to Harry Beresford. MT. Beresford is a young actor, but he has in l ''The Professors Love Story" measured up to the full standard of true actor. | His conception of the absent-mlnded, l but lovable, professor was quaint and original. It was his own conception, and he followed no mans lead in his reading of the role. He broke away from stage conventions and magnetized the role into reality and individuality. A mediocre player could have made the part a cheap and tawdry thing. Beresford vitalized 1t. His spirit got beyond the footlights, and there was no straining for effects. Mir. Beresford's comedy was of its kind | as delecate as the authors or rather in Interpreting the comedy of Barrie, the | actor displayed in his own field an equal delicacy and effectiveness. In the pathetic scenes. he was quiet and strong, sending | home to his audience the full meaning of | the situation.
 His support was worthy of him. The | company was Symmetrlcal Tn us excel- | lence.
 There was not a minor role that was not up to the standard. MT Beresford was extremely fortunate in his support.
 Miss Julia Batchelder appeared in the role of winning, but knowing, secretary, a role of many opportunities. And Miss Batchelder neglected none of the oppor- | tunities.
 An especially fine piece of work was that of A. Burt Wesner as the Doctor. Mir Wesner showed himself a capable and intelligent actor. In point of excel lence, he ranked second only to the star.
 Frank Webb, Harry Mack and John R. Cumpson did some fine character work,
 but the role of merit would include the
 whole cast.
 The stage settings were excellent. The
 play was staged with fidelity almost law
 ishly.
 Ghosts" Ibsen's famous drama. Sat
 urday at matinee and night, will be the
 next attraction.