Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-24
BIT Of OLD SOUTH
SHOWN At GRAND
"UNDER SOUTHERN SKIES" A
DRAMA OF HEART INTEREST
Good Company Portrays It satlsfae-
torlly-"Under Two FLAGS" Gives
Maude Gilbert a Fine Chance
at the Burbank

That "Under Southern Skies" was
written by woman is evident from
the first to the last line. 1t Is South
ern story of a heart. Love, yearning,
hope, shine through it's text with the
fire and fervor that woman alone can
pen. 1t is to the Southland what way
Down East" is to New England. Both
plays are the creations of Lottie Blair
Parker.
And while these kind words may
truthfully be said Of the author, the
company which is this week rendering
this drama at the Grand opera house
deserves all the praise that has been
showered on it. 1t is a play and a
company typically southern IN the
staging. language and feeling and be-
cause of it's fidelity to that section and
to life now fading away its POPULAR
ity never seems to wane.
Love for a woman sometimes makes
villains of men. 1t does so for Steve
Daubeny, who, rather than see Leila
Crofton marry Burleigh Mavor, be-
trays to her the shame of her mother,
hitherto kept secret. BY his betrayal
he wins her promise to wed and frac-
lures his promise to her father never
to break the sad news to her. When
the WGQulIlR CtT6llOlly 10 III pAObAS0S
the mother of the bride breaks In on
the scene and dashes the villainous
young mans hopes to the ground.
In Louisiana in the '70s men were
quick with their pistols. They are
quick in their reply. Col. Mavor, news
paper owner and father of the ap-
parently Tilted young man, and COL
Daubeny, father of the APPARENTLY raw
ored one, are bitter enemies over a
newspaper editorial and their efforts
to preserve the rules of hospitality by
burying their differences while guests
of Lelias father are interesting.
While the serious love affair Is going
on the minister too has case OF heart-
burn with one of the Gamsels and their
courting gives opportunity for laugh
ter.
Mrs. Parker has woven the Hallow-
cen story into the play in charming
fashion. The witch superstitions are
shown as the young women come with
candles and mirrors repeating tne
words that conceal their hearts long
ings. The spectator is transported to the
ways of the old time festivities when
girls really believed in the proph-
ecies of that sacred night In OCTOBER,
Once in holding a mirror in front OF
her to learn her fate poor Leila finds
that both Steve and Burleigh nave
edged toward her and she sees the
dual reflections of her future "hus-
band"
Thus the love story progresses. the
Door girl suspecting that there is a
negro taint in her blood because OF
vague insinuations by Steve, and sac
rificine herself for her family's sake
and the father living in memory's halls
with the vision of q wife who erred
always looming up before him.
Fortunately the story ends happily
and right is triumphant.
The pathos is relieved by the work
of Amer Lizer, a diminutive colored
"gal," who is a sure-enough Topsy in
her devilment. She dances and cuts
up for four acts and keeps the audi
ence roaring. Millie Evans is the bright
Young woman who fills the role. Uncle
Joshaway and Aunt Doshey, another
black couple, also sustain the humor.
7. r. Gallagher and Miss Anne Morti-
mer fill these parts.
The work of John T. Burke as the
suffering father, Col. Crofton; Fred
erick q. Mortimer as Col. Robert
Mayor. the newspaper publisher, and
Harry Linsen as Col. Daubeny, the
other fire-eater, are true to the south
ern colonel requirements. Roy Phillips
and Robert Dudley are the two who
court Miss Leila, Phillips having the
role of the defeated suitor who after
ward wins.
The women's characters are in compe-
tent hands, though not as much so as
the mems. Miss Laura Oakman plays
Leila and makes a charming southern
girl. full of pride, love and filial re-
gard