The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-14
ADJUSTMENTS
"The Witching Hour"

 Joe. a servant. Ralph F. Samone Jack Brookfield. John Mason Lew Ellinger. George Gaston Tom Denning ..,............ Frank l.. Dear Harvey, servant. ............W. H. Sadler Mrs. Alice Campbell, Jacks sister,.
 ............~...........B Belle Howell Bonn Mrs. Helen Whipple. clay's mother....
 .......................... Grace Reals Viola Campbell Jacks niece. ............
 .....................B Bertha Van Norman Clay Whipple. e................C Clinton Preston Frank hardin uth. Harry West Justice Prentice. .......... Harry Leighton Justice Henderson ............ E. l.. Walton Colonel Bayley Frank Lewis MT Emmet. reporter.......W H. Sadler
 Whether you believe in telepathy or not, you will agree. if you were at the Shu- bert theatre last night to witness "Tne Witching Hour" that 1t is an intensely interesting play. It is something new, step into field that has naturally been little worked. In fact, The Witching Hour marks a radical departure in play wrighting and critics who predicted that Augustus Thomas new venture would not meet with popular approval have lived to see 1t become one of the most talked about plays of the day and notable success.
 John Mason. who takes the leading role in "The Witchng Hour" Is an actor of fine attainments. He creates an impress sion of great strength and shows mas tery of his art that is very gratifying. He appears at all times to have fine control of his abilities and knows when to exert himself. He gives a very clear cut and unusually virile presentment of oyr,1,l lo- tryifh h O. pathc powers who gradually awakes to realization of physc phenomena and uses his newly discovered power to save the fiance of his niece, who is under sentence of death for murder He also
 mbues several persons with strength of character to face certain painful truths and conquer their weaknesses by will power During these processes his own reformation is wrought and he wins for wife the sweetheart of his youth.
 Although there are two love stories interwoven into the play it's main theme is teepathy and there are number of highly interesting and fascinating theories advanced which may be hard to prove, but are nevertheless rather gripping, when presented squarely to a reflective mind There Is no denying the fact that MT. Thomas has written an absorbing play and we can rest equally sure of the fact that no other actor could be found more admirabl suited for the principal role than MT Mason. He has also the sup port of an excellent company.
 George Gaston as Lew Ellinger, Ken tuckv colonel with bred-in-the-bo pen chant for all games of chance. presented a highly diverting comedy type with much skill. Harry West played the vil- lain, presumably, if Frank Hardmnth could be placed in that category. He did well and Harry Leighton as Justice Prentice created an ideal judicial type playing with rare dignity and pervad- ing sympathy. Grace Reals as Mrs. Hell en Whipple. Belle Howell Bohn as Mrs Alice Campbell and Bertha Van Norman as Viola Campbell did not have a great deal to do. but they acquitted themselves creditably.
 The enga cement will be concluded with matinee this afternoon and a perform ance tonight. "The Wtching Hour can he recommended as play well worth seeing. s.H-
 sThe Virginian"
 The dramatized version of Owen Wis | tars stirring novel of the west was pre- sented at the Jeffe rson last night with Earle Rider as "I'he Virginian. siip- ported by an excellent cast. The play | is one that stirs the blood and seems | to lose none of its entertaining qualities with increasing age. The problem of whether a man should yield to love or duty Is put "souarely up to the Virgin 1 ian and decided by him in the only way l possible.
 Earle Rider Is seen to advantage as the genial southerner and leaves the impress sion of a singuIarly strong personality on l the mart. Mir. Rider has magnificent stage presence that he uses to great ad- vantage. He is especis fly good in the 1 dra matic moments of the play and not at all at loss as to the method of making love Molly wood, the Vermont school teacher. and does it we'll There Is a simplicity | and an absence of strainng for effect that is very pleasing about her work. In
 the great scene where she pleads with I 'The virginian' to leave town rather than encounter 'Trampas' she is superb. l The remainder of the cast maintains | the high standard set by Mir. Rider and Miss True. There is not a weak spot l visible H. c. Russell as "Trampes, the villain of the play, does good work.