Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-20

Judge ..,,.,.. William Lloyd
Henry Thompson. :. Murdoch j. Macquarrie
Alderman Roberts Edward Dewey
Henry Williams. Alexander c.. Carelton
Arthur William Cullington
John Mllls. .............. ROBERT lule
Dallas Wainwright. ...........R Ruby Bridges
Cynthia Garrison. ............. Evelyn Moore
Mrs. Bennett. ............... Ethel Brandon
Tho Man Of the Hour had its inspira-
tion in the attempted steal of the Philadel-
phia gas plant and many Of the Incidents
occurring in the action or referred to In
the speeches actually took place in the City
Of Brotherly Love and stupendous graft.
II, the drama depended for its strength on
these facts its appeal would have vanished
with the passing of the element of timell-
ness, but because the conditions represented
and the characters portrayed exist in a
n easure all through American municipal
life and probably will exist for a long time
to come, for this reason the play will be
potent for many years. This, besides the
fact that It is a well constructed drama.
1t is for these reasons that many who
saw the play on a previous visit were
among the audience which welcomed It
back to this city at the Boyd last evening.
William Lamp appears this time in the
title role. As Alwyn Bennett, elected mayor
by a political boss and big business ac-
complete, he d~isappoints the expectations
of the men who thrust the nomination on
him as successfully as any other actor
who has played the role. None would COM
plain Of his playing save that the amount
Of vigor with which he defies the boss in
the second act might be increased by a
small amount. II is. OF course, a study in
contrasts here. Horrigan Oouis Hendricks)
brutally domiLeering, smashing down all
opposition; the mayor. a character quite
the reverse in accent, quietly r~esolute, firm,
but devoid Of buster. While this contrast
ought to be brought out, yet 1t must be
remembered that the extraordinary vigor
of the boss may make the mayor seem
almost too gentle II the pianissimo panal is
pressed too hard.
Aside from this, and 1t Is a suggestion
rather than an unfavorablo criticism. MI.
Lamp was eminently satisfactory and in
his most trying scene OF a~ll-where he tells
his mother that il he holds out against
the g~rafters, they will expose the hitherto
unknown baseness of his fathers charac-
term this scene he was most successful,
as was Ethel Brandon as Mrs. Bennett, his
mother.
The character of Alderman Phelan, the
ward boss who lined up the mayor to glut
vengeance on Horrigan, his ancient enemy,
- - bAAN ~ IL CdSN III lIpIOu6 Llf
adequate hands, Felix Haney playing 1t
with sincerity in the serious passages and
a humor Ia the comic which gained him
the heartiest applause throughout the
evening.
Sharing the honors with these two men
was Louis Hendricks as the big boss. In
feature md figure he is we'll constructed
for the part, nor is he lacking technically.
He played throughout the big, virile al
though corrupt, dominating master of men
who ruled with an iron hand not masked
by any velvet glove.
OF the women mention has been made of
Miss Brandon. In the principal feminine
role Ruby Bridges was quite adequate and
Evelyn Moore amusing as the girl to whom
Everett Butterfield in the part OF Perry
Wainwright made rapid fire love. The
latter found considerable favor with the
audience. The rest Of the company was
Of even excellence.