Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-07-01
Local Stages Give Rein to
Laughter and Serious Joy
Payton Players Give Classic
Production of ''St. Elmo"
at the Newark.

est. Elmo, at the Newark las
night, met with an enthusiastic re-
ception by large and representative
audience.
It is serious, delightful
play. st, Elmo Murray hat
gone the pace, sown his
oats. fought his fight, and then
after all had proved wretched, he re.
turned home, broken in spirit ant
downcast.
There he was forgiven, the mar
whom most he had wronged tool
him in as son, and a girl worth
while awaited him. After all, life
was worth living, and dropping down
on pair of penitent knees in front
OF the church which his money anc
taste had erected years ago, before
he started his fast living, he gave
himself up to prayer and confession.
His pleas were answered and he
was returned better man, happy in
his new found faith and proud of his
belief in the Saviour.
And 1t all happened because one
woman was not like another woman
who ridiculed him on the very eve of
their marriage, while he as an caves
dropper overheard. The one woman
proved herself pure and true and led
him again in the path he was brought
up to follow.
So runs the story of st Elmo" the
A..<s@ 4 u
under the direction of Lee Sterrett at
the Newark Theatre this week by
the Payton Musical and Comedy Com
pany with all the local favorites In
the cast.
st. Elmo, portrayed by Claude Pay
ton, misses train and returns to his
summer home to find the girl he is to
marry in the arms of his chum and
lifelong friend. A challenge and a
duel follows and the chum falls.
Heartbroken and Disguised with
life and all women in general st.
Elmo leaves home and mother and
sets out upon the world to forget his
cares in fast living, drinking and dis
sipation. He stays away for seven
years, but they drag slowly
called home" and there finds all Is
peaceful A girl has been taken into
the home by his mother to keep her
company while her son is travelling
the pace that knows no ending.
He is impressed by the girl, but
places her In the class of all women,
whom he regards as deceivers. But
she proves herself an exception and
demonstrates to him unconsciously
X that she is jewel personified--a
paragon OF virtue and purity.
I He finds himself falling more and
more in love with the girl until under
her spell complete transformation
tekes place within him and he goes
from life Of sin and wickedness to
the study of the ministry under the
tutorship of the father of the man he
killed.
The reward he receives is con-
tented mother and a good girl for q
WIFE and halpmate.
AS Edna Earl. the girl who brings
shout the Transformation in st. Elmo,
Marguerite Fields is seen at her best
sadie Radcliff came all the way from
her summer home in Maine to portray
the part of the mother of the title
character, and she handled the part
as only Miss Radcliffe can.
Claude Payton. in the title role,
made good appearance, but was
stiff and affected, which detracted to
some extent to his Interpretation of
the part. Nevertheless his character
ization of the rich young man was
very creditable and impressive. His
fault seems to be in appearing to
make climax out of everything. He
speaks with too much effort.
Harry Roche as Sir Roger, regu-
lar Englishman. and Arthur Jarret,
as Gordon Leigh, a college student,
were both clever and lent a witty
turn to the deep-laid plot of the play.
Next week treat Is in store for
the theatre going public in the Girl
In the Taxi which will be produced
at the Newark Theatre by the Payton
Company. But this is not all. The
principal feature is the fact that
Erneast Truck. who had everybody
iisping with him last week in over
night" will play the leading role in
the taxi girl.