The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1908-01-22
An1usenenfs
"Gloriou. aetsy..

q
As Glorious Betsy. the chief charac-
ter in play of the name Mary Man
nering at the Grand last night, afford
ed to large audience a portrayal OF
character which. standing recruitment
yet did not reduce to ridiculous mi
nuteness the other roles in the comedy.
The story Of the play, founded upon
true romance Of the olden days when
| the brother of Napoleon drifted to
America and became thrall to one of
the beauties of Baltimore, appealed to
| its hearers last night. Its presenta-
ton by cast that was creditabie, even
In comparison with Miss Mannering,
was delightful.
To praise the play without mention.
OF Miss Mannering would be leaving
| out the leavening. But 1t may be said
that the play is most prettily made. 1t
Is true, " truth must be said, that Ma
poleon Is very harsh person, indeed.
without the softening touch that is laid
upon him by. Bernard Shaw, who holds
MS ambitions tangible by feminine
tact; and In the scene upon the deck Of
the frigate he is made too obdurate.
perhaps. But that may be the license
OF the playwright, who, to be sure.
ought TO have as much license Nas the
poet. OF the story: 1t is wonderfully
beautiful and affecting. The Glorious
betsy rails In love with her French
4ES~' "N0 40 u course, none other
IMAM Jerome Bonaparte. Her Mary
land parent honts the idea of an ALT
ance. Finally the tutor discovers his
Identity, and Betsy Is more than will
Ing. At the last--almost-the are
landing at Frances port when Name
~. .gon appears ana commands a separa-
ton, which is made. At the last
tnougn, Jerome comes back to the Pat.
terson home. takes the Betsy inta his
arms, while slow curtain drops into
its proper place. '"'o
The chief. role affords to Miss Man.
nering wonderful Opportunities for the
senoition OF character. At no dime
Soes the stress approach what NAV
De called the tragic. But the en,ottons,
KEY Is strung high. and only exeen.
tionaI power can take II. Miss Man.
nering took 1t. Beginning from fha
nrst, where she was merely a co.
quette. she yet gave an artistic sup-
Eestion of the passion that law be-
neatn. In her flirting, she yet. by the
nlost cert movements and fnsinuatiye
expressions and voicings, told pIaIn.
~ to the audience. though NOT to her
lmportunate suitors on the stage. that
Wi.nin her heart was not onlv tha
potential but the kinet;c love that
would rule her, perhaps another. too.
And In all of these scenes Miss Man.
nerIhs was most admirable. Perhaps,
suf1cientIy restrain herself 0tbar-
wise she is beyond criticism. In mo
ments OF levity In which she Is %
PRECIOUS, variable-all things To ali
men, so to say--her beauty and vfvaci-
~ and cleverness are enough. Of them
selves to make the scene perfect. And
WIEN love strives against Duty, her
power is most admirably shown. IN
her interview with Napoleon she is
adequate to a climax that is powerfuI
IN her meetings with Jerome she is
immeasurably appealing. Miss Man
nering has great party to play ana
she plays 1t with skill
Next to Miss Mannering in talent 10
FRANK Gilmore, as Jerome Bonapa rte
Mr.. Gilmore is first noticed for his
exquisite dialect which bears iust
enough of French into the English ~ |
make It delightfully."- foreign for the |
creation of an Atmosphere" SecondIy.
Mr.. Gilmore has an acute understand. |
ing or the part he plays and he por-
trays 1t with sympathy. To these quail |
titles he adds good voice and pleas |
ing personality OF physique. as well |
as of ego.
Helen Macbeth as Eliza Monroe. was
delightful companion of Glorious |
Betsy, Miss Macbeth, pretty and
an easy part in thoroughly good |
way. Maude Turner Gordon, as the
chaperon to the girls. was altogether
adequate.
John Webster has the part of Ma
poleon Bonaparte and he plays 1t we'll.
To be Napoleon is a very dificult
thing, indeed. but Mr.. Webster affords
an excellent portrayal of the character,
from the point of view of the play.
OF dignified mien and deep voice, he
was sufficient to place upon the scene
in which he appeared the sentiment of
awe necessary to subdue the charac-
tiers.
Herbert Carr, as Betsy father-al-
most another Sir Anthony Absolute
was very fine. Mich olas Judels. as st.
Pierre did a piece of character work
excellently.
The negroes in the play harked back
a trifle towards New England, whence
after alt, the negroes are said to have
come. The piece was sumptuously
set.
Little Johnny Jones" at matinee and
night Is today's attraction.
WEEDS In Madison County.