The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-04-07

day, when Henrietta Crosman comes
to the Auditorium next Saturday night
in Percy Mackaye's delicious play.
"Anti-Matrimony," is apparent from
the enthusiastic reception accorded to
the famous actress at the Brandeis
theater in Omaha this week.
Miss Crosman began her Omaha en-
gagement Sunday night and continues
there for four days. The Bee says
that she should have Il crowded house
for every performance.
Miss Crosman was booked for the
Brandeis theater in Omaha earlier in
the season and then cancelled the date
in order to 90 on to New York City
for long run. Omaha considered IT.
self more than lucky when new date,
this week, was secured.
Stands First In America.
Miss Crosman easily holds her
place as first of Americas comedy act
ors among women" says the Bee. In
It's comment upon the performance
The Bee also says OF the play: ITO
say that 1t is q delight is TO phrase II
mildly. 1t is a bubbllng, sparkling
fountain Of fun"
Never before has II been Norfolk's
privilege to be visited by an actor or
actress so high in the ranks OF the
stars at the time of the visit here, az
Henrietta Crosman. We have had IA
nous players who have achieved
greater fame since their Norfolk Wis
it's: but Henrietta Crosman is recog-
nzed right now as the premier among
the condolences on the stage in
America.
Deserves Packed House.
The Auditorium management feels
| that in having secured SO celebrated
player for Norfolk, it has accomplished
something out OF the ordinary and
that If further attractions OF this high
caliber are to be had, Miss Crosman
must be given a capacity house Satur-
| day night.
The seat sale will start Friday, but
mail orders are now being reserved,
| both from Norfolk people or from out
| Of town, when accompanied by remit
lance.
| That one of the most delightful
treats ever given Norfolk playgoers,
is in store for Saturday evening, is
| apparent from lut IOllO"lus
taken from the Omaha Bee Monday
morning:
What Omaha Thought.
| "Anti-Matrimony" has been as va
riously described by the reviewers as
the limitations of the language will
permit. No single word is sufficiently
comprehensive to accurately designate
this play Mr.. Mackaye has conceived,
,,,ht Il,
pany are so delightfully."- presenting. II
deserves an adjective all it's own. To
say it is a delight is to phrase it mild
ly; it is bubbling, sparkling fountain
of fun, whose spray dashes over all
around, and revives in them a belief
in the sanity Of the men and women
OF the race, not alone in that they can
laugh, but also that they may think.
A lot Of folderol is cleyerly pilloried
by Mackaye, and just as cleverly held
up by Miss Crosman for the rest OF us
to laugh at. And, If the star, the COM
pany and the play are properly appre-
, Ciated in Omaha the Brandeis theater
will be crowded during the rest of the
engagement.
A young man returns from Europe,
bringing with him his wife and baby,
and goes for visit to his brother, a
| SLStlu INlub III lDs vi
| a Massachusetts city, who is married
TO an elder sister of the younger
brothers. wife. To the CONSERVATION
Of the home folks, which circle in
cludes the mother Of the brothers, the
returned couple announce they are not
married, pronounce in favor of free
love, and prate in grandilOQuent
phrases Of emancipation, the super
man, the over-soul, and a lot OF sim
: liar twaddle, and set about to convert
the others. And the elder sister de-
vises plan to bring the young folks
to their senses, which is simply to
make them see the absurdity of their
!, position. She does this by pretending
to fall in with their views. The cure
is as complete as the method is effec-
: tive. The play is written in an unus-
I ually clever vein, Astounding with the
r most incisive of witty satire, with
humor that is pungent and crisp and
never broad, and with fun that is sim.
ply exquisite. And the company is in
every way the best that has yet played
at the Brandeis.
Miss Crosman easily holds her place
as first OF Americas comedy actors
: among women. In many ways she is
! unapproachable. Principally is this so
in that she unites peculiar qualities of
mind in way that provides just the
essentials for correct comedy interpre-
tation. Her wit is keen, her humor is
warm and kindly, and Der analytical
faculties sufficiently acute 10 give her
D comprehensive understanding and
= the capacity for intelligent expression
q Those of US who laughed with her as
. Madame Sans Gene" who romped
with her as Rosalind, and again as
Viola, who shouted with glee when
Mistress Nell Gwynne screamed "Yez
can all go TO hell" and sprang through
S the window; who followed her through
her struggles in SHAN" and who
l. have otherwise been entertained by
I her in countless ways during her bril-
: liant career on the American stage,
are glad to note that experience only
adds richer color to her humor, a
, more human warmth to her capacity
l. for fun, and that her genius is coming
to its fullest expression in a most kind.
n ly element. Miss Crosman more than
g deserves the thanks OF all, for in her
/. philosophy OF fun she is giving a
weary world what il most needs, oc.