The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-24
ADJUSTMENTS
"EyerywOman''

The quaint symbolism of a fourteenth century morality play Is given mod ern setting in eEveryw oman.' which was presented at the Jefferson theatre last night. Although it seems rather incongruous to use archaic forms or speech In. scenes and situations that smack strongly of metropolitan ilc in gay New York, and while II Is rath- CT startling to contemplate such sym bolic figures as Truth, Modesty, Beauty, Time, Age, Greed, Vice and other per sonifcations moving about in the flesh, whers the white lights of Broadway blaze and the stage allures to ruin, Every woman is nevertheless unique conception and as spectacle IS both impressive and beautiful.
 Everywoman, goes in quest of love. She leaves her home. where Youth. Beauty and Modesty are ;.er compan- ions, to seek adventures in great city, which we are shortly to learn is New York She goes upon the stage, where her charms soon make her a star. but Modesty shrinks from the glare of the footlights and that festive chorus girl atmosphere in which Ev- erywoman moves, so takes her leave In the glimpse of life behind the scenes there is some very amusing satire on managerial methods. This part of the performance was in keeping with the remainder in its realism.
 While on the stage Everywoman is wooed by Wealth and she makes the acquaintance of some more people who are even more undesirable. Passion, Witless Age. Greed, Self and others throng her apartments and at the con clusion of a riotous banquet she is crowned queen of the revels. Now Beauty dies. quite snuffed out, IS it were, by late hours and debauchery. Everywoman bewails the loss of Beau tY, but she has not yet found Love and has not yet been taught the les son which fate has in store for her.
 New Years night on Broadway. with its mirth and frivolity. finds Every woman wandering about the streets, accompanied only by Youth The stag ing of this scene was most admirably done and the impression of joyous night on Broadway, with its crowds of merrymakers blowing horns, throwing confetti, dancing in mad aba ndon and following the customs that prevail in New York on New Years night was extremely realistic. However, Youth gives up the ghost and Everywoman is left quite forlorn. Nobody offers scant consolation, but Truth. who had pleaded with her so eloquent1y before she went out into the world. comes to Everywoman, clothed in brightness that was hidden before, and leads Ev- erywoman back to her home. where Love. the son of Truth. is waiting quite comfortably asleep by the fire. Then 1t is that Everywoman, weary of her experiences with the world. but much wiser than she used to be. learns the lesson that Love can only be found
 when truth leads the way.
 The performance last night gave the atregoers chance to see a real dra-
 matic novelty. presented with so much elaboration and with such care evident l in every detail of the production, that 1 it was greatly enjoyed. The company. 1 containing as 1t did such experienced
 players as Frederick Warde Jane Oaker
 and Marie Wainwright was quite com
 petent to do the lines justice. while the staging of the play was superb There were four scenes and each in it's way
 was worthy of the highest praise. The l banquet scene in Everywoman's apart
 ments was lavishly done. while the night scene on Broadway was one of the most vivid and realistic ever reproduced on a | local stage.
 Frederick Warde, an actor of fine at tainments. who has been off the stage and devoting himself to the lecture plat form for some years past, has returned ' to a public that eagerly awaited him.