The Detroit times., 1909-12-28
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.


With the stage OF the Detroit Opera
house. and the Garrick. too. offering
the homely. just-because optimism OF
noble womanhood, Detroit theater-
goers should come within the glow
OF its influence and feel In this last
week OF the old year that 1t has not
been such a bad old year after all. and
resolve to enter upon the new one with
Tanted to sweep trouble into a corner
for good and all. In local theatricals
this is the week for the Crouch" to
forget II. II will do everybody good
to see The Third Degree" In the
Detroit. Besides, unlike most things
that are good for you. II is entertain
ing and interesting.
II Is somewhat surprising that In a
play where the heroine Is obliged to
be weepy most OF the time, and the
hero Ia charged with murder because
a friend put an end to his own worth
less life with a pistol shot. and few
more unpleasant things are at hand.
that humor and optimism have the
upper sway. All thanks to Dramatist
Klein and the clever people interpret.
ing his characters.
The story is more or less interest
compelling. having for It's central idea
the sweat box" or third degree"
system of Americas police force.
Briefly, young Howard Jeffries. ac-
cused Of the murder of Robert Under
wood, although quite innocent, is made
a. 20 hA atfar Inn q
hours OF the third degree. His faith
full wife. a girl far beneath him In
social station and education, under
takes to prove his innocence despite
the antagonism Of the boys father.
who has disowned him for marrying
her. and the acceptance by all con-
cerned. without further inquiry. OF the
alleged confession.
The brave little wife in spite OF her
grief, her penniless condition, her 80
cial ostracism, has the essence OF
Christian Science, Emmanuelism, New
Thought and all other old and new
"isms" to such an extent that she will
not be dismayed. and shoulders the
task OF saving her husband, with her
head and heart filed with a steadfast
faith that love and right must tri-
umph. Miss Helen Ware In this role
has been credited with the greatest
success of stage career full OF good
work. Even though the character OF
Annie Jeffries makes the strongest
possible appeal to the sympathies. and
as played by Miss Ware. is consis-
tent and artistic bit Of acting. 1t would
not be fair to very delightful actress
to Judge her ability by this role alone.
In her professional career Miss Ware
has played many parts, each and every
one Of them we'll. and she Is as capable
In the role OF dashing, smartly
frocked society woman. as she proves
herself in the "commonness" or Annie
JeffrIes Annie is a girl OF the people,
and Miss Ware does not forget IL for
a moment In speech, in action or In
dress. Her humor and her optimism
are OF the everyday sort. and she
takes good care not to spoil very
artistic impersonation by sudden ac-
ouisition OF a refined accent OF false
relaxation or ascendency from the
somewhat colorless monotone OF An
MES own character Miss Wares very
excellent work was acknowledged by
the large audience Monday night In
repeated curtain calls.
The members OF the supporting
company were competent In every re-
spect. The work OF Malcolm Duncan
as Howard Jeffries. the accused young
husband. was particularly good. espe-
cially in the ffyst scene. preceding the
suicide. when he drinks more than Is
good for him. The characte Is boyish
ana rather weak hut clean and whole
hearted. and Mr.. Duncan handled II
very we'll indeed. A delicious bit or
comedy character drawing was offered
bv william Herbert as the lawyers
clerk. Ralph Delmore. as the police
captain who administered the third de-
gree. had the type to perfection. Miss
ida Mcmillan was the beautiful wife
of the elder Jeffries. and played diff
f,cult role with charm and discretion.
others in the highly capable cast were
lanes Seeley as Richard Brewster.
the LAWYER: Frazer Coulter. as Jeffrles.
Sr.: Earl Williams, good looking and
effective in the unpleasant part or the
suicide. Robert Underwood; Walter
Craven, as DR.. Bernstein; Edward
Iehay. william Wray and James II.
Cody in minor parts.
The stage settings were In good
taste and correct in detail. and alto
gether It Is safe to hazard that The
Third Degree" will prove to be one
OF the seasons best offerings. The
engagement is for the week with
matinees on wednesday and New
Years day.