Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-24
A N U S E N E Mt S.
Belasco.

"The Professors Love Story" in three
acts. by ]. NJ. Barrie, charming comedy
of its kind, full of pathos, sweet sim
plicity and the portraiture of variable
human nature. was given a creditable
presentation by the Ben Greet players
at the Belasco Theater last evening. II
deals with English life, lofty and humble.
and introduces some amusing traits OF
the rugged, careful Scotchman in love
affairs.
Prof. Goodwillie, a man of forty, who
after years of struggle has won his place
In the scientific world and the tenderness
of whose heart has been disclosed chiefly
to sister, and who had been disappolnt-
ed in love by one of his college mates. is
the chief figure around which the story
revolves. His sister has been obliged to
leave him for a month. during which
time he employs a young girl secretary
to aid him in the completion of the one
great book of his life.
UncOnSciouSly he falls in love with her,
and only realizes it after a course OF dis
appointing medical treatment, when he
discovers that it is love and not 1umbago
that ailS him. The young secretary re-
ciprocates his affection, but such is her
esteem and admiration for his character
that, after she has unbared his heart Dy
a feminine trick, she feels unworthy ana
is about to leave forever until stayed by
his sister, who UP to that time has been
Dowager Lady Gliding, who storms the
professor with all the means known to
her art aided by Sir George Gliding and
his wife, who will profit to the extent OF
GJGU year by the dowaSers mar
riage. There is also an amusing love at
fair between Henders and Pete. typical
Scotch farm laborers, with Effie, a maid,
as the object of their affections.
Ben Greet. as Prof. GOodwilie. pre-
scented a rather 1ovable character. that
acii no a
the sympathy of the audience. AS Lucy
White. the young secretary, Violet Vivian
impaired unique charm to a difficult
role. frank, unaffected, gentle and yet
withal clever in its girlish attractiveness.
Grace Halsey Mills. as Miss Goodwillie,
the professors sister, whose life had been
soured by the thought that the man she
loved had been untrue to his promise. I'M
til ten years after his death she learned
otherwise. was quite adequate to the role
ard entirely satisfactory Dallas Ander-
son, as Henders. and Percival Seymour.
as Pete. the droll Scotchmen, who both
wapted and didn't want to marry the
maid Effie. were especially good.
Mr. Seymour's portrayal of Pete was
a clever character sketch. Ruth Vivian
as Effie gave convincing bit of char
acter work, and was exceptionally good
In all the varying demands of the role
she was the typical Scotch lassie. loyal
and loving, but shrewd and always
terously landed Henders for spouse
after she had already accepted Pete,
rather than lose chance.
Robert Grayle, as DR.. fellowlees,
who discovered that the professors all
ment was lumbago, and John Sayer
Crawley. who knew it was love, were
competent in their respective roles
Charles Hopkins was good as Sir
George Gliding and Ethel Van der
We're, as the dowager, and Blanche Toll
ME. as Lady Gliding. were factors in
a satisfactory production.
A feature outside the play itself and
the cast was the attractive stage set
tings and scenery, all bright, new and
well conceived Another was the
elimination of the brass and heavy
drum from the orchestra and it's re-
construction string organization
which, through the evening, under the
direction of Sol Minister, played many
old familiar airs appropriate to the
play.