The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-03-25
THE NEW LYRIC

This evening at the Lyric Theatre,
the Frank Carpenter Stock Company
will present the first of the week s
performances of What Happened to
Jones'. The play. which is in three
acts and Is laid in a suburb of New
York city, was written by George
Broadhurst, who has to his credit
many great stage successes, notably
among them being why Smith Left
Home" one of the finest comedies
ever written, also the great dramatic
hits 1.-THE Dollar Mark, ''The Man
of the Hour" etc. Mr.. Broadhurst
has become known as one of the most
prolific as we'll as one of the most
prominent of American stage writer's.
Of all his writings not one has ever
failed-an have been instantaneous
triumphs
What Happened to Jones" is full
of the most delicious comedy, the
most rafting of fun. the most bril-
lant of humor. Situation after sit
uation of the most ludicrous sort fol-
low so closely that the smile never
leaves the face, the sense of enjoy
ment is never allowed to lag. The
play is really broad farce with all
the strenuosity of action which that
term implies. Fun there is, and plen-
ty of it. Unless you want to laugh,
don't try to find out what Happen
Miss Florence Carpenter, the clever
little second woman" of the company
who has been absent from the cast for
two weeks, returns to her place this
evening, having recovered from her
recent severe nervous breakdown.
She says she feels fully recovered. and
quite prepared to give the part Of
Helma, the Swedish maid, a rendi-
ton that will prove to her many
friends how thoroughly glad she is
to be back at her duties.
Mr.. CONFESS will have in "What
Happened to Jones' one Of the strong
est, most congenial parts in which he
has yet been seen in comedy. He is
Jones' q solid business man, who
in a moment of relaxation from ordi-
nary duties attends prize fight, just
escaping a raid by the police only by
the Skin of his teeth" In order to
avoid arrest, for his pursuers are
close upon his track he is obliged to
make quick change to the character
Of bishop of the church. The time
required to doff the garb Of the bus
mess man and don the clergy's cloth
is so incredibly short it seems impos-
sible, yet he does it, and is back on
the stage almost before one realizes
he had left it.
Miss Cleveland also has a part
which will prove unusually congenial.
L
who although a graduate of Vassar
college. retains the characteristics OF
the plains with all her horsy slang,
and her own original method Of exc
pressing her views.
Mr.. Devine's part is that of coll
lege professor, who in moment of
observation-disclosures, has allowed him.
self to be governed by a rash impulse,
and for the first and only time in his
life, attended the aforementioned
prize fight. Unfortunately, he was
caught in the raid and during the
entire action Of the play, is at his
Wits end to devise ways and means
whereby to escape the consequences
of his "disgraceful" conduct.
Miss Strickland will show an Origi-
nal conception of the character of an
old maid, who has waited despairing-
ly twenty long and weary years for
the appearance of a sweetheart. At
last, when the unlucky possibility
appears. her eagerness and her efforts
to effect capture lead to the most
lauehable situa tons thet could be de-
vised by any playwright.
All the minor characters Will be Well
cast, and the play will be staged with
all Mr. Carpenters we'll known skill
and .layishness of expenditure. That
the week will prove entirely success
full is already guaranteed by the adj
vance sale of seats, which thus far
has been larger than for any week
during the entire season.
There will be the usual matinees,
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
and the regular Lyric scale of prices
will prevail. Get your seats early"