The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-03
'THAIS" BRILLIANTLY
 ENACTED AT P0LPS
Spectacular Production Attracts Big Holiday Audience--NTiss Starr
 as ssTf1ais''

Scoring an immense hit at PoM'e theatre last night, '"Thais'' a spec ed from the romance of Anatole France, by Marie Doran, was produc- ed by the PoH players in a manner at once scintillatingly seductive in seem ic effect and soul satisfying in spirit ual effect.
 While varying somewhat from the original version as dramatized by Paul Wiletach. the underlying theme a struggle for intellectual mastery of the animal passions-rernains, the same as portrayed by last nights cast cannot help but appeal in it's simpu- city to the drama loving public. With a greatly augmented company of se- 1ected players. each seemingly select ed to fit with precisional nicety the part assigned, and a magnitude of scenic effects presenting constantly to the eye a riot of gorgeous and bar barfc splendor it would seem that the management has almost exceeded it's most lavish promises to the theatre going public of Bridgeport
 In it's prologue the curtain rises on darkened desert scene and as the rising sun shfmmers it's rays across the broad expanse of sand the specta- tor is taken by transition to the lonely cell of Paphus and his companions ascetics of the early Christian era in Egypt. A fortuitous meeting with Nicias, a Greek aristocrat, leads to a recollection Of the renounced past and a confession of the vision of a. beau tiful courtesaneThais@in Alexandria
 
 self destined to convert. With Mi cias' VOW to assist in the search the curtain of the second act rises upon a revelOus scene in Alexandrine inn where among low companions and under the tuteIage of morally and Physically deformed dwarf, Thais. young and beautiful, has been reared without conscientious scruples to a life of barter and infamy that her tyrannica1 master might reap the prof ft- Here Nicias finding her and be- ing smftten with her charm failing to buy her carries her off bodily to his palace.
 Acts three and four depict her trans formation in power and in love through the whole gamut of ambitious ascendency. With a slight tinge of humor and philosophy injected by F9avious the appearance of Paphus to denounce Nicias as a traitor to his VOW and condemn the 1icentious and profligate life of the palace is great 1y heightened and leads to the denoue- nent Thais Intellectually perceiving the shallowness of her sourroundings and that time and loss of beauty must inevitably wrench her lover from her. listens to the Christian teachings of the Anchorite and becomes converted Ser past sins she renounces all and firing the palace with a, flaming torch, journeys footsore and weary to the convent in the desert. In the fifth Grey sisters and just as her confes- sion of faith has been made dies in the arms of Nicias who has followed to her retreat
 The enactment of the drama though daring in it's religious aspect can in no way shock the sensibilities of the most cavilling or carping critic and it's moral medication is of the great est value.
 The title role taken by Miss Mar guerfte Starr called for exceptional versatility and ability and although at times costumed with extreme daring her portrayal of the part is worthy of the highest comment MT Wilson Nelrose cast as NiciaS perfectly in terpreted the difficult role imposed mon him and secured the plaudits of his audience MT. C. Wilson Hummel. as Paphus. followed truly the stoical ascetic part assigned. The supporting company are highly deserving of the praise bestowed upon them.