The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17

In surfoundiug herself with onA u the
most notable gatherin6s Of stock
players which has been brought - this
city IN recent years. Each member Of
the cast has been drawn from the
roster of some success now playing
and each has already made q name for
himself; many Of the cast are we'll
known to Richmond theatergoers. All
productions offered by the reorganixsd
stock company win be presented under
the personal direction Of Alexander
Lleftwich, who was secured from the
producing stan Of the Empire Theater,
New York, especially for this en-
ragement. The reputation which Mr..
Leftwich. who was secured from the
man is too well known to require ex-
amplifcation and the fact that he Is
to direct for Miss Laverne insures the
success, from an artistic and palms.
taking standpoint, Of her productions.
! Edward Arnold will continue as lead
ing man Of the reorganized company.
Eleanor Bert, regarded as one of the
most beautiful and finished actresses
in the East, will be leading woman.
Frederick Became, who scored such
success in Richmond with Miss La
Verne two seasons ago: Frank Wup-
perman. Juvenile; Robert J. Lance;
Madeline King. a local favorite; Rose
(
Goodwin's company; and other capable
artists will be in the cast. OF course
Miss Laverne will also occupy a con-
spicious place in the forthcoming pro-
auctions.
Augustus Thomas has never written
a play more dramatically interesting
than The Witching Hour" The theme
is new and unusual being based on
the telepathic communication between
tn txsIs l. %
one another but each of whom has
come under the influence Of a great
power This idea is narrowed to the
theory OF the late Justice Harlan. who
! held that the. public practically pro-
neunces the verdict in every great
trial; that the popular opinion pene-
trates the wall which isolates the
twelve jurymen and by means Of
, sub conscious influence sways them In
their decision.
In THE witching Hour" boy, who
has inherited fear for q cats eve
! stone, is indicted for so-called mur-
| der. Selling upon physiological in
fluence Mr.. Thomas sweeps his au-
dfence back a period of ffty-ff years
and climates the origin OF the fears.
Then through a combination OF sug-
gestion and concentrated thought. he
defes the Vaccinations OF q desperate
+ uisNRCt attorney ana bends the pre-
JUDGED minds of a corrupt jury to an
honest verdict
That is the big idea which under
( lies The Witchlng Hour" But dur
ing the course of the play there are
revealed two love stories of more than
passing interest. each replete with
sentiment ali its own. There is humor
plenty and of n kind such as is
characteristic of Mr.. Thomas, a buoy
ant elevatlng humor that appeals to the
intellect and which remains In ;he
mind long after the curtain has fallen
On the drama
In her opening production Miss La
Verne will be afforded another oppor-
tuHity for scoring great success. She
VIII play the appealing role of the
mother and opposite her will be Ed
ward Arnold. as the gambler Fred
erick Beane has been cast az Judge
Rrentice, Alexander Leftwitch is to he
district attorney, Frank Wupperman IL
( the boy and each of the other members
OF the company will given unusual op-
portunities in the remaining roles Of
the n1asterful play.