Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-08
Clyde Benson, Makes Good III
Big Morality Play of the Age

Few actors have risen as rapidly in
the profession, with the exception Of
geniuses who have sprung into prom
inence from the very beginning by rea-
son OF their superior ability. as has
Clyde Benson, a former Marshalltown
boy. who is appearing this season as a
member Of the Henry w. Savage Com
pany presenting ''Everywoman" in
western territory.
Mr.. Benson. who has been member
of the dramatic profession but q few
seasons. has achieved an enviable repu-
tation. and Is now associated with such
prominent players as Frederick Warde.
Marie Wainwright. and Jane Oaker.
Mr.: Benson is the only son OF Mr..
and Mrs. H. ]. Benson, Of Union, for
mer residents Of this city. He made
his first appearance eight years ago.
and for three seasons played his "many
parts" as a member Of stock companies.
Then, after season In a comedy role
in the melodrama "Bedfords Hope" he
was given his first opportunity with a
metropolitan production, when he was
assigned to the juvenile lead in Harri-
son Grey Fiske's production of "The
Unbrcken Road" in support Of Bertha
Kalich.
The season following he passed un-
der the management of Joseph Weber
to enact the character part OF Luigi
Golfantf. the italian music master III
THE Climax" He played this part for
two seasons with success and made his
first appearance before his Marshall
town friends In this play at the Odcon,
in September. 1910.
This season Mr.. Benson plays a
prominent part in "Everywoman," one
Of the most talked Of and highly sue
cessful plays offered the American pub.
lie in recent years.
Story Of "Evsrywoman."
"Everywoman" is described by its
anthor as "a modern morality" and
was, no doubt, suggested by the ole,
Elizabethan morality Of "Everyman,
which was presented in America a few
years ago with Edith Wynne Mathison
in the title role. The later work was
written by the late Walter Browne
While it is generally acknowledged
to possess many of the qualities essen
tial to dramatic success, the play was
sharply criticised by the critics for its
faulty construction and its deficiencies
in a literary way. In answer to these
criticisms the friends of the author
stage presentation. and not as a liter
airy masterpiece. Poor Browne, how
ever, did not live to see his work be-
come a success. While it was being en-
acted in New York.he was dying in an
other city.
Naturally, Browne. unknown and with
no previous work to recommend him,
was target for the critics. He went
into New York to place his work, which
he had spent years in preparing, prac-
tically a stranger in a strange land. He
gained hearing and his play was ac-
copied. 1t succeeded because it deserved
to succeed. It had striking originality
novelty, and a simple yet elemental mo-
tive-that Of wolnan's quest for love
The principal characters in this mod
ern morality are Nobody, forlorr
protagonist and Greek chorus combined
in one solitary but commanding figure:
ENerywoman, who deserts home In hel
quest for. love; Youth, Beauty and
Modesty her companions who accom-.
pany her on her journey but who event
ually forsake her, one by one; Flattery
who leads her to the gaiety Of the me-
tropolis in her search for love: Truth
in the guise of witch. who persists
that love will be found at, home. but
whose pleadings, fall on the deaf ears
Of Everywoman: Love. Passion, Time
Wealth, Stuff, Vanity, Greed, F1attery
Conscience. Self, and others.
Into Everywoman's life comes all OF
these attributes. and as she wanders