The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-25
THE STAGE
LYcEuM.


Characteristic In every way OF the
Chaser method OF doing things theat-
rical. was the presentation, Sunday,
In the Lyceum, OF Freeman Wills
The Only Way" which marked the
formal opening of the CHASER organ
iZation's annual season or stock In
this playhouse. This implies excel
lence of protrayal, careful assignment
or parts and close attention TO such
important details as costuming and
scenic inyestiture.
The Only Way" is a dramatization
OF one OF the best OF the Cna,iss Dick
ems stories. "A Tale OF Two Cities.
The action takes place In London and
Paris during the bloodiest period OF
the French terror, and the original
story is followed closely in the more
important details. Some Lyceum Da-
irons, may find the first two acts a
bit talky and too slow-moying 10 suit
their ideas OF modern entertainment,
but the third and fourth acts supply
enough thrills TO even things up.
The story as most readers know,
deals with the pursuit OF the Marquis
de st. Evremonde, a scion OF the
French aristocracy. by an enemy OF
his house. Ernest Defarge, who seeks
TO ayenge wrong done his sister by
the elder ST Evremonde. When the
play opens the young Marquis Is liv-
ing in London, under the name OF
Charles Darnay, and Is making his
living as a teacher OF the French Ian
guage He is arrested as an enemy
OF the crown. but is freed through the
efforts of a young drunkard, Sydney
Carter, who bears a striking resem-
blance TO the -Frenchman. From that
time on Carter plays an important
part in the story. Both Carter and
Darnay love Lucy Manette. daughter
OF an aged and wealthy London doc
tor
Carter. realizing that he is unworthy
to become the young woman's sutton,
devotes his life 10 saving Darnay
from his enemies, that he may live TO
make Lucy his bride. So when De-
fargo lures Darnay, or st. Evremone,
back TO France, Carter follows, know
ing that this is part OF plot TO send
st. Eyremonde TO the guillotine. Fall
ing TO free the marquis before the tri-
bunal. Carter brides guard, visits
ST. Evremonde in his cell, overpowers
him with a drug and exchanges
places with the condemned man. Tho
last scene of the fourth act shows
Cart&, impersonating st. Evremonde,
on the guillotine, surrounded bS
blood-thirsty mob. and his last words
before the final curtain are:
1T is a far better thing that | do,
than | have ever done. Ii Is far
better rest that l go TO than | have
ever known"
Vaughan Chaser gave masterful
Interpretation OF the role OF Sydney
Carter. His work throughout shows
careful study and a thorough under
standing OF the requirements OF the
part The marquis of Charles Carver
Is splendidly done. Two portrayals
that are especially notable are the
Defarge OF Herschel Mayali and the
Lucy Manette OF Miss Edna Ellsmere.
The presence Of these two materially
strengthens the CHASER organization
and the stock season just opened
should prove a memorable one. Miss
Courteney. as Mimi. the little sewing
girl who, In the final scene. goes TO
her death along with Carter, who has
| been her protector, Is a smaller one
than she has been accustomed to fill-
| ing, but II is marked by the artistic
touches. apparent in all OF Miss Cour-
! teney's portrayals.
The other members OF the cast are
all well placed.