The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-29
ADJUSTMENTS.
A. the jefferson.

A fine play, staged with all the skill of
stage craft and perfectly acted-that in
brief is what a large, representative and
most appreciative audience saw at the
Jefferson theatre last night when 1.-THE
Lion and the Mouse" was produced here
for the first time.
The play is one that has held the at
tention and aroused the applause of thou
sands of Americans, for it is essentially
an American drama of the highest and
best type. 1t was produced in New York
with star cast and was the great hit
of a season. 1t was seen in Birmingham
last night with a great cast and it was
one of the great hits of the season here.
First of all one was impressed with
the acting of Miss Josephine Lovett. the
heroine of the drama. A wide range of
acting was required of her. from the
portraying of the lightest of parts to
the heart-rending scene which is the ell
max of the third act, but never once
could flaw be detected in her efforts.
On her comedy lines where she pitches
her strength of mind against that of
John Burkett Ryder in the second act,
she displayed great ability as an artist.
AS the woman in love, but willing to
sacrifice her love for her fathers sake,
she shows even more marked ability;
and finally she rose to great level by
her acting when she told Mr.. Ryder tho
truth about himself, probably the first
time he had ever heard it, and flung
herself from the room after defying him
10 on bfq
account.
The story is familiar to many. Miss
Shirley Rossmores father, a judge on
the supreme court bench has deaed John
Burkett Ryder and rendered a decision
adverse to his interests Mr.. Ryder IS
the master brain of America and his will
is law even to the Senate of the United
States Young Ryder has fallen in love
with Miss Rossmore in Europe and on
their return learns of the trouble into
which her father has fallen. as result
of his fathers vengeance. l-e hastens to
the girls side and pledges his support
and his love
In the meantime Miss Rossmore has
written a book. the story of Mr.. Ryders
life. She has learned of his inside life
from the son and he sends for her to
question her. The book appeared over
the signature of Miss Green and as
fight for her fathers honor and life.
Mr. Ryder takes a fancy to err begs her
to write the story of his life to be pub
lished after his death and she consents.
The son defies the father finally for
love of her and she refuses to marry
him as long as there Is n stain on her
fathers name. Finally the night before
the Senate is to act on her lather's case,
she boards the lion in his den, declares
herself and attacks Mr.. Ryder as few
men have ever been attacked This Is
the climax of the third act.
The fourth act is in her suite of rooms
In the Ryder house where all ends happi-
ly Mr.. Ryder after sleepless night.
orders the Senate to keep Judge Ross
more in his place and eXonerate him. the
girl and her lover are brought together,
and all start on a special train to Wash
ington to see what the Senate does.
In the cast with Miss Lovett are a
number of excellent actors well balanced
and capable. Macy Harlan is Jefferson
Ryder" the son and lover. presented a
polished piece of acting. He Is strong IN
his fight for the girl he loves. and acts
well at all times. Paul Everton. as John
Burkett Ryder. is masterful ana at times
magnificent in his faith in himself and
his great ability to rule the nation Elsa
Payne as Kate Roberts. and Nell Robin
son as Miss Nesbtt did some clever
acting.
There will be a matinee this afternoon
and performance tonight. i. IT. B.