The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-13
Amusen1ents
sTbe Llo, .na th. ngou.. :,


 "The Lion and the Mouse,
 When Charles Klein wrote 'rhe Lion and the Mousse" he could not have foreseen the vital interest the story citizen.
 This absorbing problem. related in most engaging manner was again pre- sented to a Montgomery audience last night by company that lost no op- portunities in driving to the full, every dramatic climax. To make the story one even more Intense in its typifica- tton of modern conditions, Is needed but touch of the reform legislation, which. too long sent up, might have been pictured as bordering on oppres- sion.
 The story, made famous. first in novel form. depicting a character on whom all have agreed as typifying well known corporation head. and later In a stage adaptation. Is familiar to almost every man, woman and child In the country. It's presentation last night was in the presence of an audi ence thoroughly responsive and ap- preciative.
 The east provided by Henry B. Har- ris was far better than the one which was sent South last year.. So ripe was the evidences of thorough sym pathy and Knowledge of~<he parts that many marvelled. There is little won der in this. however, that the very spirit of the intent of the author has became imbued in the very nature of the players after over 700 perform ances, to be exact 701. The 700th pre- sentatfon of the piece by this com pany was celebrated in Pensacola We'd nesday night.
 For Shirley Rossmore Miss Marie Shotwell was selected when the pres unQ nrt tDin Miss Shotwell was excellent To be critical. she was not so good in the nrst act as when she came to the seri- onsness of her work. A little more re- taxation in the first scene, a little less acting to impress the audience that she is appearing gay when her heart Is really sad. would leave a more artistic portrayal. But in the second scene her poise. her absolute self-possession and naturalness. without stage surprise ap- pealed to an audience that, perhaps. was beginning to condemn. She won rapidly after this. and in the denun- ciation really reached the very best that is in the part. This scene. the pity. has been overdone, not only on the part of road companies. but even in New York. Too much ranting, too much acting without the real true ring in sentiment. mas often spoiled this very dramatic incident. Miss Shotwell was. even. superb. in this. Another suggestion to Miss Shotwel1; of course she has reasoned out, as have others with her--the manager, who seldom knows what the public say about his show--the last act. 2 morning scene. ready for travel in gown hardly it- ted for travelling, and one that Miss Shotwell would not make herself con- spicuous in while travelling, is worn by the heroine as she Is. presumably, about to take the train.
 Malcolm Duncan, as Jefferson Ryder, was natural artistic in his rendition of the part. but handicapped by a very severe cold. or else voice not in keep ing with his talents. He lacked, per- haps, fire in his scenes with his father. Tn these he stood without exhibiting the proper vehemence that the lines suggest. That the part of John Burkett Ry- der was portrayed by Oliver Doud Bly, ron would be all the comment neces- sary to assure a large number of old theatre goers that the character was in most capable hands Twenty years ago Mir. Byron was playing leading roles, first support and character parts with *he most eminent tragedians and romantic actors of the day. Few who saw his virile acting last night real ized that he is near his three score and ten. He made the part stronger, in [. the opinion of those who saw the original New York production. than did the younger men who tried it. He is one of the old school, but still has. the genius for Interpreting parts othef than the stagy ones. He has a son with Miss Barrymore's company, which ap- pears here Saturday, and may come back from New Orleans to spend Sun. day with him here.
 Herbert Mckenzie as Hon. Fitzroy Bagley, was an artistic success. A hard part, and one with which the au- dieuce is little in sympathy. Mir. Me- Kenzie made 1t distinctive.
 The other members of the company were entirely satisfactory, making an excellent ensemble for the action.
 The next attraction at The Grand will be "Her Sister," tomorrow night. in which Ethel Barrymore will appear in the leading role. with the original New York company.