The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-21
"A MANS GAME" is
BIJOU OFFERING
Estha Williams and Company Were
Well Received Last Season.
Return This Week

| With identically the same cast ex-
cept one minor part, the exact produc-
tion and other features tho same as last
| season. "A Mans Came with Miss
Estha williams and Edwin Walter will
Ibe seen at the Bijou this week 1t
was the play declared by every Bir-
mingham newspaper last season TO be
one of the strongest the Bi1ou offered.
There will be performances nightly at
1880 o'clock and matinees Tuesday,
| Thursday and Saturday afternoons.
That the company and the play have
| lost nothing of their strength This sea.
son is evidenced by the following crit
icism taken from the Norfolk Land
mark:
| The CRANKY theatre last night opened
| Its 1854 season with Arthur G. Ais
toms production of IA Mans Game" "
and incidentally set for itself an am
bilious mark. With Miss Estha Will
| liams presented In the leading part.
backed up by a supporting company of
decided merit. "A Mans Game" is
really worthy OF a liberal patronage
and promises one of<the fullest weeks
in the history of the CRANKY.
| In spite of the intense heat and num-
| ereusv holiday distractions, II drew
large audiences at matinee and night
performances yesterday and the au-
| diences gave every evidence of a gen.
erous approval.
! 1t is a play of love, politics and
crime, in which man Of indomitable
courage plays a game against odds
that would force weaker character
to suicide. Maudlin Melodrama, so Of
| ten identified with such combintions,
is absent in "A Mans Came" chiefly
because it is presented by actors of
| ability.
The plot Is of strong weave. and
there is not dull minute from the
| time 1t is learned that Dan Mayo,
mayor of Silver City and owner of a
saloon and gambling house, and an
honorable man in his way withal, is
candidate for Congress- in opposition
| to George DurnelL
| Little by little, at first sight the con-
versation of william Littimer, Dan
Mayos private secretary, and Sheriff
Dan Sheehan. his campaign manager,
| the details of the great tragedy In
Dams life leaks out. 1t is learned that
his reason for coming west to get a
new DEAL is that his wife yielding to
| the temptations offered by life of
luxury, left him and followed the un-
speakable road of shame to an early
death. On convention day. when there
| seems nothing to prevent Mayos Sc
curing the nomination. his daughter
and her guardian arrive in Silver City
and so does Nance Mayo, Dams wife,
/
supposed is on the verge OF the grave.
Durnell, learning her past. threatens to
reveal this knowledge to Dams daugh-
| ter, Nellie. unless Mayo withdraws
| from the race in his favor. Dan sees
Durnell holding the high card" and
withdraws. The final scene is gripping
| ly dramatic. Durnell returns with fresh
demands and the old threat. lie is ar
rested for embezzlement committed
| back east. In a spirit of revenge. Dur
nell starts then to inform the daugh-
| ter of her mothers past. but the
mother herself. responding to the ma :
ternal instinct, appears in time to stop
| him.
The cast is a good one. Edwin Welter
| as Dan Mayo acts the part with splen-
| did support to the excellent work of
Miss Williams as Mayos wife. Miss
VILLAINS part is highly emotional and
consequently a difficult one, but she
meets the requirements with marked
ability. The minor parts are well cast,
the company as whole proving we'll
| fitted.