The Detroit times., 1908-05-08
IN LOCAL plAIH0U5[5
The DETROIT.

Ethel Barrymore. that bright
young actress, who is one OF the most
popular stars on the stage, especially
among her own sex, appeared in Her
Sister" In the Detroit opera house
Thursday night. and was greeted by
the usual society night audience,
which was present in large numbers
The play is by Clyde Fitch and
Cosmo Gordon Lennox. one an Amer
lean and the other an Englishman,
and both are familiar with American
theatergoers. Mr.. Fitch has written
more than one play for Miss Barry
more and Mr.. Lennox is known on
this side OF the water by his play.
The Marriage OF Kitty" Her Sis
ter" is comic drama in which there
are moments OF seriousness. and it is
decidedly original and interesting
throughout.
The play opens with scene in the
apartments OF Isis, prophecies and
seer, who is in reality Eleanor Alder
son. the part presented by Miss Bar
rymore. At the age OF l6, Eleanor
has been left with no relative except
a young sister, Jane. After having
endeavored TO exc out an existence in
numerous ways, the girl finally learns
something of the so-called art OF peer
ing into the future and finds that she
can make a comfortable living for
herself by telling a woman something
she very much wants TO hear and
charging her a guinea for 1t. At the
time the play opens she has come
through her various experiences un-
touched by wrong Jane, rather friv-
olous and less reliable, is still blame
less, but through an escapade in Am
erica becomes involved as correspond
ent in a divorce suit.
Eleanor has become engaged TO
Ernest Buckley, a thoroughly selfish
young Englishman, while Jane is also
about TO marry one Saunders. a
tradesman, with preconceived ideas
as to the straight and narrow path
In which a woman should walk
Young Bickley's mother, being anx-
ious to learn the character of the
person TO whom her son is engaged
sends her brother. a worldly-wise
man named Arnold Cullingworth, TO
form his impressions of Eleanor be-
fore she meets the other members of
the family. Without disclosing his
identity, Cullingworth goes 10 Elean-
or's apartments. and II is while tell
ing him something OF his character
that Miss Barrymore does her finest
bit OF comedy work. The result of
Culllngworth's visit is favorable, and
Eleanor is invited TO the Buckley home
TO attend house party.
II Is here that the "catty" woman
in love with Ernest Buckley gets in
her work. She finds New York pa
per containing picture OF Eleanor,
but labeled Jane Anderson, which tells
OF the divorce scandal in which Jane
Is involved The complications that
arise when Eleanor, TO shield her sis.
ter, declares that il was she who was
In New York instead Of Jane, give
ample opportunity for Miss Barrymore
to display her ability in the more
tragic parts. The matter is finally
Strengthened out, but Ernest breaks
his engagement. Arnold Culiingworth.
who from the fret had championed
the cause of Eleanor, unravels the
whole story and the play ends very
satisfactorily.
Although Miss Barrymore is charm
ing In her comedy, she was really at
her best in the pathetic parts. She ,s
unaffected and unconscious OF herself.
She has beautiful gowns and wears
them with a grace that Is regal
AS for the company, the Mrs. Bick.
ley Of Fanny Addison Pitt was a de.
cidedly clover piece OF acting. aud
Arthur Byron as Cullingworth was an
excellent impersonation OF the staunch
business man, who believed i'm the girl
/ through thick and thin. The other
characters were only mediocre.
There will be performances OF Her