The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-31
THE STAGE
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.
May Irwin, the irrepressible cut-up,
trying 10 look mournful in widows
weeds and endeavoring TO subdue her
wink with crocodile teardrops. sent
en- audience, that jammed the Detroit
opera house from top gallery TO en-
trance doors, Thursday evening, into
sIch spasms OF laughter. in her new
farce, Widow by Proxy" as TO en-
danger riot call. The audience be-
Lan 20 laugh moment after the cur.
tain rose and May could be heard
giving vocal music lesson behind
the scenes. and II is probably laugh
ing yet. in mirthtul recollection.
Miss Irwin is sure antidote for
the doldrums. She radiates good
humor communicates much OF her
own optimistic view OF things 10 her
audience. and intects every person
who looks at her. with the laughing
term. A misanthrope would not be
proof against the queer, humorous
twists OF the Irwin mouth, or, the alb
6olutely abandoned Irwin wink. Miss
u win is a good fellow and she doesn't
care who knows II.
In widow by Proxy" Miss Irwin
has n new play and. II seems safe TO
say, one that will bring her success
rs long as she cares TO use Il. IL was
written by Mrs. Catherine Chisholm
Gushing, who wrote The Real
Thing for Henrietta Crosman. Mrs.
Gushing apparently Is able TO write
funny plays for funny women better
than any o. her male contemporaries.
IN the same field No mere man who
has heretofore furnished Miss Irwin
with stage vehicle. not even ex'
Icepting George AIDE, has succeeded so
we'll a. Mrs. Cushing in widow by
Proxy While the comedy has moth
ing s;artlingly original about 1t, the
situations and incidents are SUFFICIENT
iy on. OF the ordinary shifts, as to be
worthy OF praise, and, in characterize
ttieH- and dialogue the playwright has
shown clean and joyous sense OF
tumor Perhaps, anyone but May
irwin in the principal role would
make a different story. With Miss
Irwin. as with William Collier, for In
stance. the onlooker is never able 10
entirely detsrmine just how much OF
what 81 said. is Irwin and Collier, or
the writer OF the play.
Widow by Proxy is hilarious
farce highly improbable, broadly
Humorous, but extravagantly produc'
tive Of hearty laughter, and as clean
and decent in thought and action as
p Sunday school tableau, except
where Miss Irwin, as the widow, gets
into a marathon FOR the presidency oil
the Annanias or Sapphire club. III
her efforts TO do her friend. the real
widow good turn. -.
The story OF Widow by Proxy,
IS too good to tell--N must be seen
to Be appreciated Seen Is USED
iadvisecly. A May Irwin comedy with
cut the ever-youthful, il "heltfy" May,
dancing a merry Jlg-on this occasion
sailors hornpipe-and her prima
donna voice thrilling coon song
would be dry pudding indeed. May
sings a couple OF particularly good
songs Of the ragt.me variety and one
OF the tender, sentimental kind, play
Ing her own accomplishments, and the
" hole worked in so nearly as to seem
real and necessary part OF the
farce.
Miss irwin is assisted in the fun
of Widow by Proxy" by highly
capable company, including Clara
Blaniick, as the real widow; Alice
Johnson. in skilful bit, as fash
!onab!e New York modiste; Helen
lWeathersby and Francis Gaunt, In
excellent sketches OF two ancient
New England spinsters; Orlando
DAILY, Lynn Pratt Joseph WOODBURY.
and Arthur Bower completing the
cast.
Miss Irwin will remain, in the De
| roit opera house, until Saturday eve
ming and include the usual Saturday
matinee, in the engagement.
Monday evening The Chocolate
Soldier" that most delightful and
hcarming OF light operas, will begin
weeks engagement.
ELLA MAE HAWTHORNE.
The Glasgow-L ondon-New York sue
cess, THE Concealed Bed" one-acI
llay OF Scotch tenement life, written
| by Graham Moffat, will be the leading
attraction in the Temple theater next
week. Mr.. Moffat is the author Of that
| famous success, "Bunty Pulls the
Strings" The Concealed Bed" deals
| with the life of tenement jewellers In
| the crowded mill cities OF Scotland
] The concealed bed is an actual feature
OF every little city apartment in Scot
land. and consists OF bed built into
the wall OF the general living room
and concealed during the day. The