The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-03-17
News..of Theatres
"PoIIyv Pleased Memphis.

of Edith Taliaferro, who appears at
the Kentucky tonight:
poly of the Circus" is the kind
of play that the rank and file of thea
ter-goers would rather see than any
problem play In the list Heart in
terest is its foundation, and sympathy
and love its superstructure. Formed
of such materials as this work of
Frederic Thompson and Margaret
Mayo was bound TO win It's way to
popularity, and success has been its
fortune from its first presentmeHt in
the metropolis. A large audience at
the Lyceum last night followed the
story of the little circus rider with a
single-minded attention that is only
to be achieved by an appeal to the
tender sensibilities.
Polly is a diminutive maid Of the
big show, and in tights and gauze.
rides broad-backed horses about the
sawdust ring Just as her mother and
her grandmother did before her. This
is her life and she is content. for she
knows no other. One day the circus
comes to a small village and pitches
It's tents close to the parsonage of the
rey jonn Douglass, young minis
ter, whose views are as catholic as
the minds Of his parishoners are mean
and warped. Practicing her perform
lance little Polly has nasty fall and
Is badly hurt, and the young minis
ter, hearing of the accident, directs
that she shall be brought straightway
into his house There, with many
misgivings. Uncle Tobe, the clown,
and Big Jim, the boss oanvassman,
who have been both mother and faith
er to the little equestrienne since her
mother was killed by fall from a
trapeze, leave her. When Polly re-
turns to consciousness she is all
aquiver with eagerness to rejoln the
circus. and when Mandy. the black
nanny. tells her she mustn't stir
from her bed for a long. long time.
Polly Is inconsolate. Then the hand
some parson comes to her bedside
and comforts her, and the chat that
follows begins the romance that al
ways lends right behind the foot
lights. Polly regains her health and IL
a sunbeam III the parsonage until the
villagers tongues begin TO wag and
the Rev Mr.. Douglass is told that
either the girl must leave or he must
give up his pulpit Polly learns OF
this, and, heart-sore and miserable,
she slips away with Big Jim to rejoin
the circus. But refining influences
have wrought a wonderful effect on
Polly. and the circus is no longer a.
place. for her. A month later tho
show returns to the village. and the
tents are spread by the parsonage as
before. Expecting to see Polly ride.
the villagers turn out in force. Polly
Is III and weak ant tells the manager
she cannot go on. but when he lashes
her with a scornful TRADE. she rushesI
into the ring. Her strength Is ex-
hausted and she sinks into a swoon.
The young minister. who has come to
seek out Polly, follows her into the
sawdust circle and catches her IN his
arms az she swoOns. They are to-
gether IN the next scene. standing IN
a moonlit garden and watching the
circus wagons wind round the distant
hills as they pass out of PoIly's life
forever.
Miss Edith Taliaferro, sister of Ma
bel Taliaferro, the wife of Fredric
Thompson. Is the Polly OF the COM
pany we have with us at the Lyceum
She is young and pretty, and for a
child OF her years gives an admirable
performance. She was TO the stage
born, just as was Polly to the circus.
Her career so far has been remark
able and II her success in the next
few years proves as rapid as II has
in the past, she will be a great actress
by the time she attains her majority |
Earl Ryder makes an effective young
minister and capable support Is given
by the remaining members of the com
pany. Unique and novel are the cir
Gus scenes of this play, and the story
will interest all. The engagement OF
Polly of the Circus" at the Lyceum
will extend through Wednesday night,
with a matinee performance tomor-
row.