The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-17
1.-THE REGENERATION"
 IS POTENTIAL SERMON
Powerful Presentation of Owen Kildare's
 "S0nl Persuasive" Drama.
BY POLI'S STOCK CAST

D4 VAA - OAOSA SAS1
 The theatre as an educator has been recognized from time immemorial; the stage as a moral uplift would obtain pre-emfnently were such plays as ''rhe Regeneration" presented during the current week by the Poli Stock Company, included in every seasons repertoire. The drama has been re- ferred to as one of heart interest-one of soul persuasion would be a more fitting designation.
 Interjecting into a darhly- -shadowed existence the ineffable sweetness con- sequent upon the inmate purity of the finer organization, Marie Deering, a school teacher in the slums of New York City. reclaims Owen Conway, a human brute who demonstrates but one commeudable attribute-hfs love for a dog. 5f-
 atfon," dramatized from the autobi- ography of Owen Kildare, 'My Ma mic RoSe."-
 The story of a man who at the age of thirty was absolutely nliterate. ig- norant of the existence ,of elemental refinement and earning g. dubious livelihood by trickery. crime and the manipulation of his muscles. trans formed formed by e influence of q good Sa within & brief <period of occupying a position in respectable society-the tragedies of Q truth surpassing fiction are to be found in this powerful play.
 The author reveals not only the phases of the lower life in a metro politan city, but concomitant thereto the depraved instincts of the wealthy class who seek amusements in the habitat of rough characters under conditions that no woman of refine ment would countenance for a mo- ment.
 The netamorphosis of Owen Conway demonstrates tho contention that the inherent tendenoy-however modified or mutilated by circumsta.nce-isc cap able of revfvification under the tnflu- ence of the requisite medium. For Owens mother was 8 gentlewoman- his father a man of honor and ability. In their son, left when an infant to the mercies of the streets, knowing for years only the lower strata of hu- manity, heredity triumphs over en- cumulatfons of the latter are disturb ed by an association similar to that which existed among his forebears.
 His renunciation of his base life, and religion, his ennobling love for ais terrestrial angel are vividly de- picted in ''The Regeneration.'s
 The play is potential sermon, an appeal to the doubting Christian, a restrainer of. the cynic
 Its enaction is indubitably more eff fective than several car loads of tracts or hours of verbose preaching. staged and should prove a signal att ltraction to the aoDreciative public. If the s. R. O. house at the initial performance may be taken as cri- terion, this will prove the banner week in the matter of attendance.
 John Ince, as Owen Conway, ex- celled himself in the interpretation or his role. An acknowledged favorite. his presentation was even more pow erful than anticipated by his most ardent admirers. The play abounds in tense situations and in every one MT. Ince occupied the centre of the stage. His paraphrasing of the Lords prayer was the occasion for an august silence to dominate a cultured audi ence. Difficult as were the require- menta of his part, MT. Ince sustain ed eAch with the force of realism. To Mabel Montgomery was allotted has been seen in this city. Gentle. sympathetic and emotional, the role of Marie Deering requires ability and f1nesseSfor it's portrayal. Miss Mont successive performances.
 Albert Perry. as Arthur Ames, Ma rie's rejected suitor, was all that could be desired in a dignified, virile youth of superior worth. His rendi- ton ably contributed to an all-star support.
 Effective work was accomplished by J. Hammond Daily, in the guise of Skinny the Rot. It is a matter of extreme difficulty for man whose entire nature is antipodal to depict the character of a miserable criminal. MT. Daily, however, demonstrated his histrionic worth throughout a highly impressioniStic execution.
 A trio of wOrthies, Casey, Dempsey and Mickey, impersonated respectively by John Byrnes, Ralph Marthy and Frank Fielder. were ideal represen- tatiues of the elite of Chicory Hall. Edward F. Mannary, as Hawkins. an officer was creditable element in the ensemble.
 Frances Brandt elicited general sym pathy in her portrayal of Nellie, the original sweetheart of Conway. In- variably clever, charming and artis- tic, Miss Brandt essayed this difficult role, with verve and the requisite dramatic vigor, her interpretation was an unqualified success.
 A recent acquisition to the stock company, May Desmond created a most favorable impression as Ollie Parsons. a young society woman. Miss Desmond's stage presence and clear enunciation insure her a welcome as a member of Polls own.
 Leo Redmond and Clara Reynolds Smith, cast respectively for Mrs. Deering and Mrs. Parsons, were high ly acceptable in their parts, as was also Blanche Mali as Lizzie May, a waif
 The young men constituting the so- ciety escort and the detail of police adequately backgrounded the scenes requiring their presence.
 WIFE WOULD CTTRE