The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-27
Mr. Hawtry in GA Message from Mara

Mir. HaRtRy in GA Message from Mara"
 In "A Message from Mars" which Charles Hawtrey and his English com pany numbering thirty, are to present at the Montgomery Theatre Wednes- day night there Is reliable promise of a comedy that should receive enthu- thiastic welcome from all classes of theatregoers. A play that is powerful without raising any problems whole some while not mawkish, bright with out vulgarity, funny without coarse ness or clowning, and which above all teaches in an unobtrusive way a strong moral lesson, should certainly prove g. most refreshing novelty.
 That these unusual qualities are combined in "A Message from Mars' is attested by New York and London critics and confirmed by the phenom- enal success achieved in both cities.
 When Charles Frohman introduced MT. Hawtrey and his company at the Gar rick Theatre, in New York. he had al- lotted only eight weeks for its run. but the public demand compelled a con- tinuance throughout the season. and the termination was then enforced by engagements Mir. Hawtrey had made to appear in London at the coronation time. Since then. Mir. Hawtrey has twice revived the play Cor long ruhs
 
 questionably the most distinguished of England's younger nght comedians.
 Absolute naturalness is said 10 be the chief characteristic and to form the greatest charm of Mir. HaWtrey's work.
 There is a flavor of Charles Dickens's , Christmas CaroI' about "A Message from Mars" Only, instead of an old Scrooge we have Horace Parker, selfish young man. w:lo imagines him. |. vnshn he does not all deserve it, possesses the affection of a sweet and pretty girl. Minnie Templer. Parker's selhshness makes him ill-bred. He refuses to &C., ! company his fiance to q party because l there is snow upon the ground. and he wants to stay at home to read an as- | tronOmical article in sclentlhc re- view. Minnie disgusted at his egot- ism, breaks their engagement and she
 and her aunt go off to the dance m the
 carriage of Arthur Dicey, rich young
 man, who is one of Minnies admirers. Then Horace sinks to sleep in his arm | chair and dreams. that he is visited by an inhabitant of the planet Mars. The | Martians, 1t seems. are entirely altru- | istic. and the messenger, having com mitted a certain crime, is sent to | earth to reform the most selhsh man | on that planet. The process Is a dras- | JIG one. ON6EdWAu6 AAbAelNN " NiAN l dynamic power which he has at his | disposal. the Martian forces him to
 perform several acts of benevolence-
 These. however, go against the grain" and if is not until Parker is actually reduced to beggary by the failure of g. bank that he feels his kinship with | the rest of the human race. Ills re- l form has been assisted by a series of l .'obiect lessons" given by the Martlan :. ] These affect Minnie's love for him and 1 include the loss of wealth and dearest | friends. In this Asmodeus-like man
 ner the messenger teaches Parker to consider others as well as himself | FIorace's humanity awakens. In his 1 rags he feels sympathy and pity for 1 an old broken down inventor. whom In l the first act he had snubbed and sent
 away. and the Messenger rejoices as | Parker sustains the almost dying beg
 gar In his arms in the snow. In the