The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-04

stock David Belasco's current success, "Nobody's Widow the sparkling comedy in which Blanche Bates is now scoring such a hit in the stellar role. the Poli Players open at Poli's thea tre Monday afternoon for the entire season.
 Bridgeport is now assured of one of the finest stock companies ever as- sembled together in America, the mem bers of which have been selected by the greatest stock "impresarios" in the business, and which organization will present all the latest successes plays that are still running on Broadway in many instances, or on the road in the original company.
 Particular attention is called to the opening one, "Nobody's Widow" is a delightful farcial romance by Avery Hopwood, who today occupies in the world of comedy the position held by Hoyt many years ago-except that Hopwood's comedies are more refined and less burlesqued: ,Nobodys prices in the big cities with Blanche Bates as its star, yet the performance which will be given by the Poli Play CTS at very low popular prices will compare more fhan favorahly with the original company. It will be ab- delightful comedy in Bridgeport.
 Then the attractions which are scheduled for the next few weeks at Polls will number such great suc- cesses as ''The Fortune Hunter" '.The witching Hour, Baby Mine" Ma muters." Little Johnnie Jones" "A Gentleman of Leisure" 'The Deep Purple,'' "Over Night "The Third De~ree" Tn most of these it will be the first presentation on any stage in Bridgeport; in several 1t will mark the first presentation by any stock case the original or road companies are still playing the attractions at top prices.
 Later in the season many more plays will be announced and all of these, as in the list now given. will be up-to-the-minute successes. It is the aim of the manaeement literally to bring Broadway to Bridgeport and to give local theatregoers the oppor- tunity of seeing in their own home city, at popular prices, the big theat- rical successes.
 The production of these plays means the payment of heavy royalties. and unusually heavy expense. Any stock company can produce the old stand by'' book plays which have been giv- en thousands of times and have out lived their usefulness. but it takes an exceptional company of players to give these modern successes and pre- sent them in such a manner as to compare with the original companies which are still playing. Then the modern theatrical productions require exceptionally elaborate scenic outlays, but in every department the Poli Players will be more than equipped to meet these demands and the thea. tregoers of Bridgeport win reap the result.
 A few facts concerning the Poli Players, by way of brief introduction, will not be amiss.
 Miss Blanche Hall who will be the leading lady, comes direct from ''The Bird of Paradise" in which she play ed the role of Luana, the native girl. This play has just closed at the Maxine Elliott theatre where it had a successful run. Miss Hall stepped in one night. Miss Hall is a southern girl, blonde and pretty. and has play ed in famous stock companies aside from road companies.
 Genevieve Cliff spoke her first lines on the stage of Elitch's Garden in Denver a few years ago. Success has attended her ever since that first ap- pearance and she has appeared in leading roles in Baby Mine.", ''Way Down East" and "As Ye Sow" She was a member of Lillian Russelis company in "Wildfire'' and she is re. garded as one of the best stock in- genues in the country.
 Marguerite Starr is we'll known to Bridgeport theatregoers. She appear ed here in vaudeville. She looks so much like Adele Richie, she has of- tentimes been mistaken for that ac- tress, Miss Starr is known to local people as clever actress, stun- ming woman and talented musician. She headed a company in support of Richard Golden in ''The Tourists" and after many other successes ven- tured into stock. She has composed songs. some of +hn-' for Eva Tang uay and Bert Williams.
 For six consecuti.t seasons Jessie Pringle has been numbered among the Poli players. She is 8 character ac- tess .. much ability and reputation and her return to this city is receiv- ed with much pleasure by her many friends here. She will receive a warm reception.
 George Arvine is little known to Bridgeport public, though he lives across the sound in Port Jefferson. He will take the leading roles in the plays at Polls this summer and his ability erd reputation will manifest itself Mr. Arvine Is still young man but has achieved national reputation. He got primary schooling under Richard