The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-06
TEE THEATRES
JACKSON'S
"THE IMPOsTER."

Manager Fitzpatrick of Jackson Theatre received word this morning from Henry B. Harris that Miss Annie Russell, one of the most popular and talented of all American stars. has been booked for a single performance in this city. Thursday evening. Dec. 5. in her newest play. '"The Imposter." !" Every local playgoer who remembers the charming productions that came from the Lyceum Theatre. New York. a few years ago when e,, Ann1e rr6a HRsse,i RavaI Family. "Mice and Men". Sue, as- eociated with sucb actors as Charles Richman. will gladly welcome the an- nouncement of Miss RusselTs return to Charles Frohman's management, surrounded just as she used to be in the plays of those earlier years. Hit of in a phrase. 1t Is a straightfor- ward, Logically told story of meagre life; a sharp contrast between the struggles of the unlucky poor and TOT tunately rich. a relentless exhibition of the shabby gentility of England s middle class.
 Leonard Merrick. as many know, is the author of series of remarkably keen novels and shorter stories deplc- tive of the struggles London's other half makes for life. Generally MT. Merrick Is known for the best stories of stage people and stage life. curious blends of fact and fiction, tha4 have thus far been written by anybody in Englisfi. The play. "The Imposter" that he and MT. Morton have written together, although completed with no idea of Annie Russell in mind. could not be better fitted for this singularly appealing actress if it had been writ ten to her measure. Miss Russell company includes Charles Richman, William Draycott. Oswald Yorke. Miss Clara Bracy. Esther Lyons and Grace Carlyle. :.
 that is utterly spoiled for hearing and seeing if its story is told in advance. The following is brief indication Of its idea rather than an attempt to in dicate its full range in action.
 Charlie Owen. a young married man of means staying temporarily at the Hotel Savoy. London. on his way to Paris, has been accosted in front of the hotel by Mary Fenton. young woman of refined appearance but pen niless. Owen sees that she is near starvation. and. with perfectly chlvaI- rous intentions. asks her to his apart ments, where he gives her food. Bit by bit the girl tells Owen the fright fully bitter story of a typically meagre life. Owens interest gradually de- yelops into sympathy. then to pity. affection. The girl is about to rush across the threshold when Mrs. Fow- Ter. a close friend of Owens family, passes the open door. Owen. to save appearances. introduces Mary Fenton as his wife's sister. Misst McKerrow. With the gossipy Mrs. Fowler satis- fled and gone Mary rushes from the room and apparently from the hotel. Owen then remembers his business engagement in Paris and is soon on his way out of the city. But short ly Mary Fenton returns in search of her purse left behind her. She has just regained 1t when the apartments are unexpectedly filled by MT. and Mrs. Walford and their son. Blake walford Nothing will sdo the Wal lords then but that Miss McKerrow must come and stay with them at their home. Instantly the girl fights off the idea. but finally yields out of sheer hunger and exhaustion. AS Miss McKerrow, sister-in-law of Char lie Owen, she is staying with the Wal lords when Charlie Owen returns from Paris Is thunderstruck to find Mary Fenton masauerading at the house as his sister-in-law, denounces her to Blake walford. and with that every body turns on the girl. There Is talk of turning her over to the police. But in the midst of the confusion Mrs. 2 Fowler the gossip of the community. suddenly enters and then everybody has to recognize Mary Fenton as Miss McKerrow. A play within play then ensues. to the confounding of the iypocritical holIer than thou. shabby genteel Walfords and Owens and the final salvation of Mary Fenton.