Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-05-21
"WTCH|NG HOUR"
BRINGS THRILLS
Una Abel. Brinker Stock Com.
pany, at Shubert's, Scores
in Great Play.

With The Witchlng Hour the OFFER
ing for tho third week. Una Abel Brinker
and her capable company delightM an
other large-sised audience last night at
the shubert Theatre and further cstab-
liehed the popular esteem which has
characterized the appearance of this com.
pany since the opening enga cement.
The Witching Hour is a imam play"
and the male members Of the Brinker
stock are enjoying their week, while the
fairer players are satisfying themselves
with less important roles in anticipation
OF the Offering next week, when the
tables will be turned.
No less interest, however. obtnins In
the presentation of ''The itching Hour. >
for the important roles are capably
handled aud the men players are AFFORD
ed unusual advantage to win favor among
the regular Shubert patrons.
Particularly noticeable and easing was
the work OF Frank b. Hersome and Ray
mond Capp last night. who arc entitled
TO first mention for their consistent Of.
forts. Louis Leon Hall and Walter
Thomas also shared the popular approval.
The play, by Augustus Thomas,
is full of heart interest and the
story is based on a somewhat daring
and perhaps Theoretical truth which
must be generally, If not universally.
recognized. If stated in plain English.
1t Is the art of reading the thoughts of
another-a sort of mental telepathy or
the idea of the TRANSMISSION of thought.
The story tells OF a young man who
has inherited an aversion to the cats
eye stone. On being tainted with one,
In q rage of torment and mental adj
versity, the young man kills the other
whose hand held the fatal stone.
The murderer is tried, convicted and
sentenced to die. In order to make a
story the author has introduced the
grandmother of the murderer as an old
sweetheart of the justice who hears the
case on appeal. Although the grand
mother is dead, the boys mother lives
and pleads with the justice for the sake
of a former love.
To complicate the story the prosecut-
ing attorney proves to be a rival at love
Will Inv Ooy viz hdb tOhfiiittOo tiit
crime and the attorney p~rosecutes the
case with vigor, mingled with hatred at
the loss of his suit with the young
mans sweetheart.
1t develops that the prosecuting at
torney had a murder hanging over his
head and this is brought against him at
an opportune time.
The whole story is told in the papers
at the very hour in which the jury
which heard the appeal Is weigh
Ing the evidence against the con-
demned man. and, according to the be-
lief OF the stronger minded" the men,
tai thoughts of the multitudes who read
the story were transmitted In some
mysterious way to the minds of the
jurymen and they bring in a verdict of
acauittal and the young man Is set free.
The district attorney leaves the State
in haste and the boy. with his lesson
dearly but well learned, is restored to
the girl he loves.
Although opportunity for the intense
moments of dramatic art are not afford
ed Mrs. Brinker in The Witching Hour"
and her part is somewhat overshadowed
by the more important role of the
gambler who brings mental telepathy
into play to saw the boy. ably handled
by Louis Leon Hall, the interest of the
play does not lag. 1t was 1880 o'clock
when the curtain was rung down on the
last act, but the audience waited with
deep interest and in silence for the
finish.
Raymond Capp as the prosecuting at
torney had opportunity which he i'm
proved to display his ability and his
performance in the unpopular role" was
received with applause.
As Clay Whipple, the erring o Wal
ter Thomas added another wreath to his
laurels. Mrs. Brinker and her entire
company are working their way into
the hearts of the Shubert patrons in a
sure and lasting manner, as was at
tested last night by the crowded house
and the amount of enthusiasm that
marked the first performance OF The
Witching Hour