Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-03-11
Francis Wilson Is Fun Persona
fled in 1.-THE Spiritualist,"
at Shubert's.
AUDIENCE UNRESTRAINED
INITS MARK OF APPROVAL
END Comes All Too Soon" Is
Testimonial Heard as Cur
tain Descends.

"The comic sisters kept their native
ease" when Francis Wilson conceived
and produced his new comedy, THE
Spiritualist.' presented under the
auspices of John -Cort at the ShuDert
Theatre last evening. The delight of
the audience, unequivoeal and unre-
strained, is proof sufficient that, as it
has been approved in Newark. the
same favorable verdict will be rem
dered in other parts of the country
II it is the chief aim of comedy to
please, this last work of Mr.. Wilson
answers such purpose. It's comic
scenes are happily wrought, and their
easy merriment gives the most salts
factory scope TO the well-known hui
morous characteristics of the author
and star. When there is added the
polish which the art of Mr.. Wilson
has acquired by effort and expert
ence, there is presented such a pleas
ant and spirited jeu d'esprit as is
rarely placed upon the stage There
are few who see il who will not say
that the end comes too soon, surely a
veritable touchstone of merit
Atwen as a Medium.
The plot of "The Spiritualist" is
simple enough to require no mental
strain to enjoy 1t. Stephen Atwell in
love with Eleanor Roywell. widow,
| is possessed of psychic power Of
which he had not dreamed, and for
which he is far from grateful. This
mediumistic adaptabillty is discov-
cred by Gustav Schumacher, sup
! posed to be an adept in science. and
who in vain had long sought TO
place himself zen rapport" with the
middle world. His ardent desire for
an apparition~ unsatisfied. he resorts
to the discovered subject, At
we'll, as one who can invoke the pres
ence of disembodied spirits. Atwell
! rejects his advances, but yields and
consents TO take part in a seance
when he is convinced that only thus
can he aid his love and save the
child of Eleanor. who is in Sthe power
of an evil physician and nurse. This
seance is the MOST delightful part
| of the play. The illusion of the
scenery and lights is charming as
we'll as humorous, and illustrates the
skill of Mr.. Wilson as a stage di-
rector. This skill, also, served to
carry through the initial perform
ance with a smoothness which was
never married and perfection of
detail commendabIe, indeed.
His Excellent Company.
The success of "The Spiritualist'
, is further assured, if such assurance
were needed, by the excellence of the
company with which Mr.. Wilson has
surrounded himself Easily first
among these is Miss Harriet Otis
Dellenbaugh, who has the role of the
mother of Eleanor, Atwelrs divinity.
The fair face, voluptuous amplitude
and engaging ways of this lady fit
her marvelously for the part of Mis-
tress Page. The excellence Of her
acting is unquestionable. She pos
sesses the power of becoming the
| character upon which her mind is
bent, and so manifest was this fac
ulty in THE Spiritualist" that 1t
| overshadowed the artistic attributes
of her companions on the stage. Miss
J Edna Bruins, as Eleanor Rowell. the
widow, is another of Mr.. Wilson'S
happy selections. Her name should
be "Veronique.' Her evident desire
TO please, her candor as an actress,
and her all-embracing eyes, gray
and quick in turning make of her
an adorable object. Annie the maid,
Miss Lola Fisher, had all the merits
needed to present such Il role. John
| Blair, as Gustav Schumacher, the
savant, presented a finished and con-
sistent Interpretation of the part.
There was also real comic power in
his personality.
DR.. John Anthony, Wright Kramer,
the villain of the play, was not be-
hind the remainder of the company
in the perfection of his study Of his
/ part, and il he appealed less to the
audience for sympathy and approval,
that will always he the fate Of VII
lains on the boards unless another
Iago is conceived.