The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-17

Of them? Not as much as we know from reading the lectures on the women of rat off f'Asia. To us they seem a race almost as alien as the gypsy and we are apt TO dismiss them with that familiar phrase, women of the circus.' never knowing or caring that they too are creatures Of feeling and possess the attributes asso2i- ated with the woman of ease and breed ing, although living in an environment generally considered non-conduciye of high ideals, developing to a high degree all that is best in womanhood. Among them spring into existence sweet flowers of femnity sometimes rivalling in men, tai and physical fragrance their sisters offsprings of luxury's conservatory. Al- ways devote from boyhood up of "the tanbark ring" Frederic Thompson, the wizard of Luna Park" for years had in his mind the skeleton of a play which dealt with this subject. Meeting Mar garet Mayo, the dramatist he told her Of his ideals, and she wrote for him Polly of the Circus" with Miss Ida St Leon in the title role. which comes to this city on next Saturday matinee and night at the Jefferson theatre. with the indorse- ment of New York's critical theatre going public, and deals with the life of a sweet little flower of the ring whose mother was killed while performing on horseback. It shows the efforts of the cloNn ana ms 1f1enu lD DTlUB tue cnilu up, and who. despite their hard lives, know that out beyond their ken is a life of better things, and for which they strive to give Polly. Finally, after Sne has been hurt while performing in small town and she has been taken to the rectory, the two make up their minds that this is the first step in the right direction for Poly's future, and that sne IS something part from the life of paper hoops and painted clowns and must be given every chance to attain the splendors which they plan shall come into her fife How they did and lolly's joy and sorrows in her new life form the theme of -he beautiful play which sthe tleatregosrs young and old. of Birmingham should not fail to see MT. Thompson has carefully selected a strong cast of capable players and the scenic production is elaborate
 Little Ida St Leon. not yet IS years of age. who has scored such a pronounced hit in the title role of Polly of the Cir GUS" owes much of ner success to the tuteage of Mabel Talaferro fMrs. Fred eric Thompson), with whom the St. Leon family was associated during the ;ir5t two seasons of Polly of the Circus. when Mabel Taliaferro was playing tho stellar character.
 Ida St Leon was born with circus in China in 1892. She belonged to circus family and made. her own first appear d 4 years old Comin@-to America 10 years ago with her parents she appeared with
 arious circuses. including the Forepaugi- Sells and the Ringland Brothers shows. With other members of her family she was engaged by Frederic Thompson to work in tho circus scene of Polly of the Clrcus.'' when it was first produced in New York.
 i. Always fascinated by the stage she stood nightly in the wings watching Miss Taliaferros performance and every spoken word Of the play until she had the full text at Her tongues command. She really lived Polly and dreamed Polly. Billy B. Van in' New Show at BijOu
 "A Lucy IIoodoo, which. will be seen at the Biiou theatre next week, commeneing Monday evening. is an elaboration of tie vaudeville act Props with which Billy B. Van and the Beaumont sisters made such pronounced hit in vaudeville. To the outlines of that act has been added new and witty dialogue songs. dances and choruses. and with the assistance of large contingent of pretty girls the new musical comedy goes with dash The comedy is done in brighter tints and there