The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-02-28
"MARY JAMES PA"

Though accustomed to playing IN the
hlghest-priced theatre of the city, where
ne has been a popular favorite for sew
eral seasons, II must have been highly
satisfactory to Max Figman to open last
night at the Colonial An immense au-
dlence took advantage of the opportunity
10 see him IN his comedy success, Mary
James Pa at popular prices. 1t was
an audience great in enthusiasm as well
as IN size. The explanation of the I'M
usual circumstance of an attraction of
this class seen at less than standard
prices Is that John COTt productions play
at the Colonial where there is a fixed
scale OF popular prices. In this case the
pubic reaps the benefit and regular pa
irons OF the Colonial will be crowded this
week by the friends Max Figman made
IN his former visits to the city.
Mary James Pa" is called an idyllic
midwest comedy. 1t is also one Of the
plays or the press that have been so
popular this season. The second act is
played in the office of a small news
paper in an Indiana country town. Il is
also the composing and press room, and
Ihe machinery IS in full operation. The
usual loungers frequent the office and
through the open doors street parades,
the village band and the passeTsby are in
slght OF the audience. A political story
that is set up ready for the press is
pied by friend of the editor, who
discovers ire well meant, but mistaken,
interference, and the confusion that re-
suits gives opportunity for a remark
ably strong scene, in which the actual
Of newspaper publication are
portrayed.
The story involves the affairs of Por-
tia Perkins who, with two small children,
was abandoned by her husband She con
Jinues his business, that Of Perkins, the
Printer and after an uphill fight sue
ceeds in educating the girls and prOvid
ing them with a home Then the hus-
band returns and is COidly received, but,
10 H..v H. =
offers him work in her kitchen, which
he accepts Keeping a man hired girl
becomes a public scandal and Mrs. Perk-
ms is prosecuted by the enemies she has
made in hot political campaign in which
she warmly eSpOuSeS the cause of
friend and admiTeT. The husband, who
is mystery in the village, first wins
his children, and then his wife, who &C
knowledges him in a spirited scene, and
the reconciliation is complete.
The story is an ordinary one, but is
rendered unCOmmOnly interesting by the
Well drawn and well acted role Of Hiram
Perkins, taken by Max Figman. He is
a man of good impulses and heart, but
the 'WaudeTlust" gets into his veins and
he dlsregardS every duty at its call. After
eleven years he returns, debonalr va
grant, TO all appearances utterly worth
less. The casual, eaSy-gOing manner is
eXcelleuuy done by Mr.. Figman, who is
always at his best in a light mood which
has moments of deep feeling. Under
that nonsense, there is real man." is
line of the play that aptly describes the
impression tIr. Figman intends to con-
vey. In the great scene of the second
act there is impressive acting. Different
in quality, but not less in interest, is the
scene in which the DOldup story IS told.
To interrupt the action with story Of
this sort requires considerable elOquenCe
and magnetism, but Mr.. Figman held the
attention to the end, when there was pro-
lOnged applause.
The company producing the play is al
most uniformly good. The role Of Por-
tia Perkins is excellently done by Miss
Helen Lackaye, of the famous stage fam
lily, who enters into the spirit of the
earnest woman in splendid style. Mary
Jane is Charmingly portrayed by Miss
Gretchen Hartman, and other roles ac-
ceptEDly taken were those Of Link Wat
kins. Joel Skinner and Ivy Wilcox.
Mary James Pa will be seen during
the entire week at the Colonial, with the
usual matinees 1t will undoubtedly break
the record for crowded houses.