The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-01-25
Theatres.
CHESTNUT STREET THEATRE,

''Jim the Penman," a forceful drama
which twenty years ago scored sensa-
tional success in England and in this
country, and which is considered one of
the most absorbing and best-written PLAYS
on the stage to-day, will be presented BY
the Orpheum Players at the Chestnut
Street Theatre, Philadelphia, this week.
Despite the title, which may possibly be
misleading as to the character of the play,
Jim the Penman" is not a sensational
drama nor of the type in which blood and
thunder are predominating factors to
create interest On the contrary. it is
more of a society play and the principal
figures concerned are men and women of
the so-called upper circle. But the story
which Is woven about them is so intense
so real and startling, SO c1everly worked
out and unfolded in such strong situations
that the climaxes in the play border on
the sensational and the surprises thew
carry make one fairly gasp for breath
Jim the Penman" is a play far out of
the ordinary. 1t is play that holds YOU
enthralled as its story is developed; the
interest in it becomes spell binding, YOU
lean forward in your seat and follow with
strained eyes and ears the narrative as it
is wildly presented by men and women
who are playing great game, and when
1
cluded and the curtain falls Won wonder
whether you have seen only a plav or
whether you have witnessed a real and
startling domestic drama.
GARRIcK THEATRE, PHILADELPHIA
The success accorded the New York and
Chicago engagements of Charles Klein's
greatest play, THE Third Degree" has
given this unusual attraction a nosition
of favor that is hardly realized by anv of
the present seasons offerings. "The
Third Degree" came to the Garrick
Theatre, Philadelphia, last evening. for
limited engagement. Matinees will be
given on Wednesdays and SATURDAYS. Tn
his selection and treatment of theme
in 1.-THE Third Degree" the author has
taken up topic Of general interest with
startling originality and cleverness. The
methods of the police in making manv of
their preliminary investigations in con.
nection with crimes have instigated free
and opposing comment from a welI-rnean-
ing public. Even the discussion of the
use OF THE Third Degree" has not al
ways been satisfactory in laying bare the
inner workings OF the misused system.
1t has been part of Mr.. Klein's purpose
in "The Third Degree" to illustrate a
measure of the harmful and unlimited
possibilities connected with "The Third
Degree" and the praise of his success
has been of most profound nature. He
has given proof of his study of psychology
and metaphysics by a pleasing app1ica-
ton of his knowledge in the writing Of
this play. The story concerns the dis
covery of the police of Howard Teffries
Jr., trying to effect an exit from tbe
house, in the room of friend in which
he has slept off the effects of an excess of
liquor taken the night before His friend
has committed suicide in an adjoining
room while he has slept, and the arrival
of the police just at this time points an
accusing finger at Howard as an accom-
plice in a murder case. The bows mind
is free from the knowledge of what has
happened, but after a trying seven-hour
inquiry by "The Third Degree" method
in the hands of one Captain Clinton.
Howard is so weakened in mind and
strength that he finally breaks down and
confesses having killed his friend.
Young Jeffries has already been disowned
by cold-blooded, aristocratic father be-
cause of his marriage while at college
with shop-girl. The confession seem
ing perfectly true, the father cares much
less for his son than ever before. Howard
wife, Annie, still believes in his inuo
cence, and takes up the fight for his life
and freedom under the most difficult sur
roundings. Her sincerity of purpose and
shrewd, womanly wit give her an avenue
of procedure which results in ultimate
happiness and success. The authors
work, however, makes the story one of
the most human and interesting that has
been seen on the stage in many seasons
Miss Helen Ware, as Annie Jefries, gives
a wonderfully true and charming inter
probation of the troubled wife Her sue
cess in the role has beeu instantaneous
and is marked as one os the greatest stage
triumphs of decade.
PHILADELPHIA OPERA HOUSE
''Thais," Massenot's most popular opera
which was one of last seasons great sue
cesses and in which Miss Mary Garden
scored one of her most emphatic hits, |
will be sung at the Philadelphia Opera
House for the first time this year this |
evening. The story of the lovely court |
esan of Alexandria and the pious monk |
who left his cell in the desert to save her |
soul is familiar to all opera goers, as is |
also the artistic work of Miss Garden and |
M. Remand in the two leading roles. For |
some years past the role of That's has been |
regarded as Miss Gardens own, because
of the vocal and dramatic effect which she |
brings to its de1ineation. Not only does |
TIC AuSIlCdH pI1Iud donna depict the |
changing phases of the heroine's life |
with absolute faithfu1ness-from the first
act, where she is seen a beautiful PAM
pered creature living in opulence and
courted by the populace-unt the last
scene, wherein she dies holy and'repent-
ant and calling on the Most High to save
the soul of the monk, who is willing to
lose it for her sake-but she invests each
episode with compelling realism that
has no counterpart upon the operate
sage.
Athanael, the monk, is one of the
greatest portraits in the operate gallery
of M. Renaud, he, too, living as to the
life the conflicting passions which domi-
nate the soul of the priest when he is
borne from the sanctity of a cenobite to
the wordliness of a voluptuary by his
love for the enchantress Mile Emma
Trentini, will, as previously, be heard as
Crobyle, one of the retainers of Nicias,
while M. George Lucas will, for the first
time here, sustain the latter role Nine
Duchene will sing the dual roles of Myr-
tale, companion of Croby1e, and Albine,
nun. Henri Scott, the Philadelphia
basso, will make his first local appearance
as Palemon, the monk; and M. Fossetta
will be seen as a servant. The produc-
ton will be lavish in every particular,
and, if anything, more delightful to the
eye than last year, as the ballet and
Ch have hAAr1 anfira1u OT1tEftod IN,