The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-20
An7usenaents
Fraacl. Wil.on at the Grand.

Francis Wilson appeared al the Gfand on Tuesday night, and by this time Is far on his way to another city to bring glad smiles to, many who are chronic 4'.gloonns," and to brighten the faces of those whose smile never comics of, just as he did in Montgomery for three solid hours of genuine fun. Fun real fun--there's no other word for 1t, and irresistible fun. fun that would make the most phlegmatic, self-con- ldained pessimist in tine world uncon- seiously break into smile. He might hate himself for smiling--no, laugh ing-but that is the penalty of seeing Francis Wilson in When Knights Were Bold"
 Preposterous to a degree. a drama tized version somewhat of "Connec- ticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court | light as a thistIedown. Sir Guy De We're in the person of Francis Wilson, makes no pretensions other than to amuse. The originality of the author. Charles Marlow, is more than matched 1 by the originality of the comedian. It's something new, brand new, and tn" audience appreciated this newness to the fullest, r. For the benefit of the players, let l it be said that representative Mont gemery audiences are somewhat pecu- liar in showing tn cir appreciation. When an offering is really enjoyed, there is no great outburst of applause, those present seem to want to keep the picture intact without the customs ary curtain calls. But paradoxtcal as it may seem, Mir. Wilson was called be- fore the curtain to make delightful little talk It's originality was also appreciated by the audience t The curtain rises on the picture of a hall in an English barcnial castle. the | tapestries, the old arnnor brightened with scrubbing, the hugh fife-place, l the high -ceiling---and several modern individuals sitting playing cards at a little table. Quiet enough for mos ment, until there Is a display of wit l on the part of Isaac Isaacson. Sir Guy appears just as the appetite has been wheIted to appreciate his fun. and re- mains upon the stage during every succeeding moment of the three acts which follow. >
 About him as visitors to a week end | party, are persons who build upon ancestry more than upon personality and character. among them his cousin, | the Lady. Romena, who measures a man according to the valOr0us deeds of the knights of "Ye Goode olde Times. :"
 Tired of 1t all, Sir Guy disposes of his person upon the sofa in front of the fire to take just forty winks. " | E1t 0AGtAttto thaA A~ ShARS I8~eA sAV SNoA . into the period of 'ye goode olde | times" and the scenery which greets the Knights awakening makes 3 per feet effect san ,aKan1 lO7A
 The slow brIghtening of the lights shows the battlements of the old castle before modern hands had touched it | Grouped upon the balcony are knights squires, pages and servants to do | honor to the returning hunting party; an old English hunting song is rem dered by a good chorus--and in walks | Sir Guy with his dressing robe in the hands of pages at the head of the
 party.
 In ridiculous costume, with absurd
 bravery, the knight fights Sir Bryan
 Ballymote for the possession of the
 fair Lady Rowena, who has come to l him for protection. He throws away his sword, his armor, and proceeds I Marquis of Queensbury, to make SiI | Bryan bite the dust. Absurd, you may
 say. but oh, how funny!
 Coming back to his senses in the last act, Sir Guy proceeds to modernize some
 of his tactics In getting rid of Sil
 Bryan ,and wins the fair Lady Rowena
 Of course the play was designed to tit
 the comedian, but Mir Wilson has sur
 rounded himself with most capable
 cast. The work of Clarence Handy side as Rev Peter Pottieberry. wal
 excellent so was that of F. Ower Baxter, the butler. Edna Bruns as Lady Rowena was altogether delight ful as was Helene Montrose- as Mlsi Isaacson. In fact, there wasn't weak spot in the whole cast. Everybody fitted into his or her niche of the even ing's fun.
 Not a brighter. nor more enjoyable comedy has appeared in Montgomery in many a day. and Montgomerian' 1 who saw MT. Wilson last evening art truly thankful that 1t was the goot luck of the Capital City of Alabama
 to be given the opportunity to spend an evening in genuinely sincere laugh
 ter.
 The next attraction at the Crane
 will be the matinee and night perform
 ance of Charley Grapewin in "rh' Awakening of Mir. Pipp."