The Detroit times., 1908-03-03
IN LOCAL plAIHOU5t5
The DETROIT.

Maxine Elliott, considered by many
artists and theater-goers the most
beautiful woman in America. opened a
half-week engagement In the Detroit
opera house Monday evening in her
new play entitled Myself Bettina.
The play is by Miss Rachel Crothers,
author OF THE Three OF U.s."
The scenes are all laid In a small
New England town not far from Bos-
ton. Bettina. played as Miss Elliott,
is an orphan raised i'm this commun,
| ity, hut who was left money enough
to afford her four years musical
course In Europe Her half-sister,
Mamie, remains at home, a member OF
the household which includes John
Marshall, boyhood lover OF Bcttina,
his younger brother. Lenox, and his
maiden sister. Christine.
Naturally, during her stay OF four
years in Paris and other European
cities. Bettinas ideas OF life are
changed very materially from those
of the narrowed circle OF the little
country village, and when she returns
she finds that the Marshall house Is
dominated by what she believes to be
the prejudices OF John, who since she
LEFT has entered the ministry. Bettina
lie q revelation to her friends. especial
ly In the scene where she is rehearsing
for an entertainment she has planned
to brighten things up bit. In this
rehearsal a portion of the play "Sa.
lone" Is given and Bettina gives the
dance which shocks not only Ministey
John, but Miss Christina as well. and
Ir 20 Aito fttCf In
household that the entertainment is
abandoned.
Bettina Is selfwilled and maintains
that she has a right to be herself and
do as she thinks best. despite the pro.
testations OF John. However. her wo-
manliness and self-sacrificing nature
assert themselves when she learns
that the ministers brother, Lenox,
Who has become infatuated with her.
Ia In honor bound to her half-sister.
Mamie, who has left the straight and
narrow path. Bettina admits that her
sister had a much more beautiful
voice than her own, and agrees to send
her to Europe to study and have an
opportunity to learn something OF the
great world outside the confines Of the
New England town.
In learning OF what she intends to
do. John admits that his accusations
that Bettina is heartless and incapable
of any sacrifice for others are un-
founded, the old love Is rekindled and
the curtain goes down with Bettina
and the minister reunited.
While there is serious story told
in the play. there are many comic
Incidents. Grant Mitchell gives an
unusually funny and mirth-provoking
imitation OF the blockhead amateur
performer in the character OF Tetrarch.
and MISS SHrHn Mrvfrker. AZ Abbtc..
the sour-visaged maid-of-all-work. does
one of the cleyerest bits of work In
the piece.
Robert Drouet is the John Marshall.
His impersonation is virile. dignifed
and convincing. Miss Mary Jerrold
as Mamie Dean: Eric Maturin, as
Lenox Marshall: Miss Helen Tracy
az Christine Marshall; Miss Susanna
Perry as Annabelle Greenleaf and
Thomas ]. Kelly as Ben, all act their
parts well.
or course, the interest centers about
Bettina. who has beauty. naturalness
and grace TO her credit. One can
hardly imagine that she Is acting the
part OF Bettfna, It seems that she lives
1t. Her gowns are stunning and she
knows how to wear them. The play
itself Is we'll worth while. There viii
be matinee Wednesday.