Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-10-18
"A GRAND ARMY MAN"
Historical Theatrical Event Met Every
Expeetatlon-ovatlon for Warfed and
Beasco

Historical Theatrical Event Met Every
Experimentation for Warfield and
Belasco.
Bratteboro rose to the full importance
of historical theatrical night Friday and
with a large and representative audi
ence enthusiastically greeted David War
field in his new play, "a Grand Army
Man." under the personal supervision of
that great master of stage craft, David
Belasco. The climax was reached I'm the
third act When the foster son had been
sentenced i'm court for a technical crime
Yves Bigelow (Nir. Warheld). after maxi
ing ID piteous plea in the lads behalf, is
overcome by his emotions and i'm the inn
passioned manner OF a good man who has
lost his head" rails against so-called
Justice" When the curtain went down
on this scene Mr. Warfield was compelled
to bow his acknowledgements several
times, and the demonstrations Of applause
which still continued were strengthened
by shouts Of "Belasco!" "Bclasco." FL
nally the great playwright and stage gem
eral responded by appearing and bowling
twice. This was the first time that an
audience at one night stand had sue
ceeded IN bringing Mr. Belasco to the
front.
The play met every expectation I'm the
manner of its presentation. 1t was i'm
personation. not mere acting, which the
audience witnessed. The picture was alb
solutely true to life and just such scenes
were presented as one might see In any
Of the rural communities with which ne Is
familiar Writers often speak of a COM
pany as well balanced" but this one
was something more. it was perfectly
blended. There was nothing STACEY"
about the production. nothing glaring or
faring, nothing that obtruded. no APP
parent striving for effect. In its realism
1t was perfect.
The story centres around the devotion
Of Yves Bigelow. the Grand Army post
commander and n typical old soldier. for
his adopted son, the child Of his old com
rade and his youthful sweetheart. The
magnifying effect of his love for the weak
youth is only one view Of many sided
picture. The boy IL entrusted with
$1O00.46 to be deposited in bank for the
Grand Army hall fund, but having
Sure tip he uses the money In a buck
ct shop with the expectation OF reaping
a rich harvest and loses every cent. The
lads confession OF his folly the dawnlng
OF the truth on Wes' Bigelow, his threat
to whip the boy until his strength is gone
and his contritlon after inflictng one blow
forms a strong scene in which Warfield
displayed his power to work upon human
feelings.
Then comes the dramatic trial and in
the fourth and final scene the lad re-
turns home on New Years eve. having
| been pardoned. The reading by Yves Of
n touching letter from the boy to the
lads sweetheart. Halle Andrews. the
judges daughter. as his listener, gives
Warfeld a chance to exercise his talents
by voice and facial expression. There is
deal of pathos and humor running
through the entire play. and the spirit OF
the Grand Army men forms an interesting
part. one OF the pathetic scenes comes
| in when the blind veteran is led by his
| comrades so that he may touch the old
battle flag.
While the burden OF the play falls upon
| Mr.. Warfeld and he meets every require
ment Of his role there are a large number
! of characters, all skilfully taken par
ticularly Marie Bates as Letitia.. Blge-
| lows housekeepor; William Elliott in the
| extremely difficult part Of the errinE boy;
| Reuben Fax as Judge Andrews with an
| Choir ice In his veins: Antolnette Perry as
| Halle, the winsome daughter Of the
! judge; Taylor Holmes rs the sanctimo-
| NOUS young lawyer and others
The production was a notable one in
every way and simply heralded the great
| triumph which took place Wednesday
night. when identically the same company
! opened Mr.. Belascos new Stuyvestant
| theatre.
The New York papers OF yesterday
| contained glowing accounts Of the pro-
! duction in the metropolis. The World
! gave an extremely interesting review. I'm
| which ii said "As for tho play 4 Grand
| Army Man It Is a mirror held up to
nature that reflects with seemingly per
! feet fidelity, the everyday life Of small
! community Of everyday people That Is
the naturalistic perfection Of 1t. But It
| does more. Through the eXternals OF the
| picture throb the emotions OF its char
| acters. You feel what they feel you
suffer what they suffer, you are joyful
and sad with them you are put into
touch with the innermost impulses Of
their lives That is the art Of it,"