The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-29
THE STAGE
LYcEuM.

Salvation Nell" Edward Sheldon's
powerful drama of the slums, was pre-
scented TO a Lyceum theater audience,
Sunday night, by Vaughan CHASER and
his players. The production Is one
of the most pretentious OF the present
stock season and there was an added
interest because the piece Is to be
used next fall as starring vehicle
for Miss Fay Courtenay, who plays
/ the titular role .es
Young Mr.. Sheldons work was
made known in Detroit heretofore by
Mrs Fiske, and the entire scenic
equipment used by her Is employed by
the CHASER company. Naturally, there
was much interest in Miss Court
enay's handling Of an extremely DIFF
ficult role and that she scored dis
tinct personal triumph was evident
by the unstinted applause that was
her portion at the conclusion OF each
OF the three acts.
She lends to the role a womanly
charm and an appealing pathos at all
times suited TO the role OF the Stun
girl who becomes Salvation Army
lassie and who by her own redemp-
ton, effects the reclamation OF her
convict lover from life of crime and
drunkenness.
Mr. CHASER is cast as Jim Plat, the
drunken lover, and he is an excellent
foil to Miss Courtenay. The part is
difficult one, largely of an unsym-
pathetic nature, but he carries II we'll
and Is sufficiently rough In appear
ance to satisfy the most fastidious.
The first act Of Salvation Nell,
showing the interior OF an east-side
New York saloon, and the last act,
which takes place outside OF large
tenement house, call for the introduc-
ton of a varied assortment OF char
scters. besides a great number OF
supernumeries, and that Sunday
nights performance came to happy
conclusion with scarcely a hitch In
the proceedings, speaks volumes Tor
the efficiency Of the stage manage
ment
To Frederick Kerby Is entrusted
the thankless role of AL McGovern,
barroom hanger-on, who Is uncere-
moniously killed by Jim Platt for pay
ing too ardent court to Nell Saunc-
ers. He gets out of the part all that
is possible. Herschel Mayall lends
sufficient dignity to the part OF Major
Williams. James Hester looks every
inch the corpnlent dive keeper OF the
lower east side; Charles Carver Is
good as kid" Cummins, and the
parts OF the other barroom habitues
are well taken care or.
Edna Ellsmere Is deserving OF spe
cial mention for her work In the role
of the frivolous Myrtle O'Dell. II Is
quite the best bit Of the performance.
Miss Constance Kenyon as Halle.
| lujah Maggie" also carries of large
share of the honors. Harrison Stead
man as Officer O'Rourke, Is quite ex-
pressive OF the dignity OF the law.
Miss Viva Brown, mite of miss.
Is very charming In the juvenile rolo
of Jimmy Sanders.
It's great pity that Sunday nights
audience could not have been induced
to believe that Mr.. Sheldon's' play Is
not a farce comedy. A number OF
persons out In front insisted upon
bursting into outlaws OF laughter at
some OF the most affecting scenes,
all OF which was plainly disconcerting
TO the performers.
Salvation Nell" will be the bill all
week. an extra matinee being sched-
uled for Tuesday. Next week,
sBrewster's Miilionsss is the play Sc
lected.
oAYETY.
With the thermometer setting an
aviation record, some Of the attire
worn by the Crackerjack Girls In The
Gayety, Sunday afternoon. caused
envy by It's scantiness. Nevertheless,
what there is Is judiciously placed on
some good locking girls who know
how to dance and most OF whom can
sing. n
The ehofns nppehrs In two MAR