The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-27

broad sympathy and understanding.
That he possesses these attributes, is
evidenced by Mr.. Skinner in his por-
trayal of the character. IL 8 easily
his masterpiece. The creator or HAL,
of the stage, Is a finely set-ip type
OF YankeeAmerican with biis CT gray,
in his dark hair. He has singular.
ly alive, full-eyed counteuance, ana
when he walks. he does so with
sturdy, decided strength WhicE ex-
plains the impetus he gives 10 Hail.
Mr.. skinner says thai he has never
acted a role which mado fuch DC
mands upon his mental and physician
strength. l train just AS carefully as
a ball player or a pugllist. ne says.
q am abstemious III everything
diet, sleep and exercise LIS the only
way | can keep up TO the demanus OF
the role. Hail, to LIE, has the mind
OF a bad boy, and The only Way orc
can explain his vagarles and caprices
in Kismet Is by attrlDuting them 10
iuyenility. There is youthful gusto,
venom and superflciality III every
thing the beggar does"
"Oficer &C.," the fascinating play
that New York and Chicago theater-
Roers have been raving over fer more
than a wear. will be seen in me De
troit opera house next week, Win
matinees New Years day an Satur-
day The play is an original n;eio-
dramatic farce, by Auguscn Hehisn'
with a laugh-compcliinS pltt through
which runs a delightful web 81 mys-
terry. presenting a puzzle TO the ponce,
the solving Of which Is productive OF
some OF the most exciting scenes ever
devised, for play purposes, on the
American stage. The original New
York cast. headed by George Nash,
and Edward Abeles, comes to Detroit
direct from the Gaiety theater, New
York. with the complete production
precisely as presented on broadway.
Not often has the stage seen such
well.managed, colorful, acL iIate and
fascinating pictures as the scenes OF
"Kismet." now in the Deficit opera
house. Each scene Is so artistic, ana
SO carefully put on, that II is difficult
10 praise one, above the other. The
Mansur's harem Is an exquisite set
ting, with its bathing rool and won
derful vista OF garden beyond tie lat
ticed walls, and the Caliph's diwal. is
splendidly rich. Perhaps, the most
wonderful Of all, because of its pulsat-
ing life color and accuracy or repro
duction. Is the bazaar scene IN the
streets of Baghdad. In the bazaars
OF Constantinople, Smyrna and cairo
the purchase Of ever the smallest ar
ticle Is an entertaining little drama
in itself. The haggling and pickering,
the exaggeration OF the value OF MS
wares by the merchant, who calls
upon Allah TO witness the truth or
his statements. the skiIful manipula-
tions OF the dragonah, intent upon
eatting his commission, and the ineVit-
able argument over Dackshish-these
things are highly interesting and
amusing II one is able to keep ones
temper And the bazaar Is the most
convenient OF shopping places being
the ancestor OF the modern depart
ment store-since ali kinds and
descriptions OF merchandise MAJ be
found within small area. The guam
tity and variety OF second lahG be-
longings offered for sale Is accounted
for by the fact that In Mohamnedan
countries. when the head OF the house
hold dies, il Is necessary to sell
everything In the house. Ia oruer to
make a fair distribution Of the estate
among the several wives. ror this
reason, the same curios, objects Of
art. and books, re-avpear Oh the
market with the passing OF each gen.
GRAFTON.
Although the winter garden in New
York has become the scene Of the
American debut OF nany European
novelties. The Passing Show Of
1912" which will be seen Il. the Car
rick. the week OF Jan. 6. Ia tho first
production made there which did not
employ foreign acts. Every member
OF the big company Is an American,