The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-02-27
New Haven Thenter.

A CIOWIl OL luOTuS, IL JuuS6u ny it's name, will naturally be classed by readers as a religious play But this is not the case. It is a clean-cut drama with high moral lesson In it, however, and is in many respects very different from the average type of melodrama, in that 1t appeals more to the refined than to the class who have to revel in blood and thunder situations, and who are never content unless something ex- citing is going on all the time. The audience last night was one of the kind that could appreciate just such a play as "A Crown of Thorns' is, and they evidenced their appreciation of the authors clever work by their re- peated rounds of applause, as well as that of the various members of the company by their repeated and persist ent curtain calls.
 "A Crown of Thorns' Is free from all stereotyped meloramaticisms that are fast tiring the up-to-date playgo- CTS. It's pathos is not intense enough to produce tears, nor are it's climaxes blood-curdling, but it contains enough
 
 keep the auditor aware of the fact that he is witnessing a play of more than ordinary merit, and one that will finger in his memory in contrasting it with the rapid-fire sensationalism of the modern melodrama now flooding the country in the chief theaters of the large cities.
 GA C,.o,t,,, re rthor,, cit ic u+o cod ,,,itl, a powerful company, and staged in an elaborate frame of scenic embellish- ishment which include the Dean Homestead" as well as one of the most realistic stage settings, "The Old Mill in the Snow" The company Is a strong one, and is headed by nobody in par ticular, as all are supposed ito be stars in their own particular Armament. "A Crown of Thorns" deserves the patron- age of all those who love to see good clean show, and there ought to be large audiences at each of the next three performances tonight, Wednesday matinee and evening.
 It is claimed that Charles E. Blaney's 5GIlodLlOIicl DONClDy | More ito Be Pitied Than Scorned, ," which will be the attraction at the New Haven theater Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights this week, and at the Saturday matinee, is the most sumptu- ously mounted production of this kind that has ever been presented in our city. The piece received its initial per- formance in this city last season, but since its last presentation here an en- tirely new cast, more specialties, and singing and dancing numbers have been introduced, this being a new departure in melodrama. It is an acknowledged fact that Mr. Blaney, the author of this attraction has given our theater- goers more plays of real merit than any other known author of popular priced plays.
 This one of his latest efforts is con- sidered his best, having for subject a theme upon which MT. Blaney is well versed, namely: Theatricals. The story of this play is based upon the life and everyday experiences of those who make their livelihood upon the stage. This subject, which entirely a new one, will no doubt be found very interest," ing. and with Mir. Blaney's name at- tached as author, it is with safe as- surance that the New Haven theater patrons will be well repaid for visit at that popular playhouse.