The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-04
AmuSenents
..The Climax at the Grand.

Fine in its simplicity ana re1resn- ing in it's freedom from affectation, 'aThe Climax" which was played at the Grand Theatre Friday night, is one show which provided genuine enjoy ment. Only once does the play de- scendl to the cheapness of melodrama. and that near the very end ,and for a few lines only. Otherwise, 1t Is a simple story, simply told and yet with strength and beauty of lines.
 Exactly where The Climax" as a name, is applicable to the play. Is not clear. But that's incidental.
 'HThe Climax" is a story set in a musical atmosphere. A girl. the daughter of musicians. has a voice of promise and in whose promise she lives. dwells with her kinsman, an old musician, and his son. both of them artists. and by whom she Is taught. A young doctor. with men, tai suggestion hobby, prosaic and prudish because his father and mother are of the same stiff-necked variety, loves her. He thinks the prima donna dreams will compass her ruin.
 By his mental suggestion he impels the girl to believe, after an insignif- cant operation, that she has lost her voice, which she cherishes more than all else. And thus. when the greatest treasure is gone. he gains her con sent to marriage. Before, love or affection was obscured by tho dreams of a career.
 The voice is not gone. however. and she realizes. ten minutes before the time for the wedding. that the treas ure still exists. She sends him away. though realizing her love, and the people in the audience who are brought near tQ tears in watching her, are comforted by the tacit assur- auce that all will come gout well after her career Is established. For every one likes to think that the life of Q good play is carried on after the last curtain. And "The Climax" Is good play. It is a play where one sympa- thizes with the pathos and smiles with the humor.
 Through it runs a musical theme. The girl sings all the time for the pure love of singing; the uncle watches her closely as her teacher. and revels in the voice because he Is an artist. the uncle's son. lovable. impulsive young musician. plays for her and loves her all the while The Even Song. youths Appeal to Age" and "The Song of the Soul" the three songs that are sung in the play. and which make up the musical theme, are admirable in musical qual- itv. ana remarkably well put into be- ing by Miss Pauline Perry. who Is Adelina von Hagen. the pupil. Miss Perry is very young woman with a very good voice. Also she is one of the few exceptional singers with an ability to act There Is drama in her music.
 wide range in her work. and in the hour of the tragic blasting of her an- httion. as well as in her characteriza- tion of a bright young girl, she de- mands applause.
 Tine part of Luigi Golfanti. the hrolxen down artist. her teacher, is well set forth by Albert Tarvenier. He ia good as an old enthusiast, who caus q voice "it" Charles Howson, the young man who plays the part of Pie. fro Golfanti, Luigrs son. Is a real. I'm" pulsive boy with Knowledge Of the ntano that is well in keeping with the theme of the play. Perhaps he Is slightly too impulsive in parts. but not 90 as to be unpleasantly noticed.
 Robert Thorne, as John Raymond. tbe young doctor, Is a bit ''stagey" in his lines, and just little too earnest p,,fs his mart Is the heavy one of the show. and the affectation Is perhaps excusable. There are only the four In the cast.
 ], The play is natural throughout and nleasfnG. It abounds in intimate lit- tie tricks of music. also. that are charming. In It's lines of pathos 1t goes deep. Its novelty is apparent in many ways. As pure, strong drama set to music. 1t is. perhaps. without precedent.
 s@rhe Climax" Is at the Grand for two performances Saturday. matinee and night.