South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-08
SHAW'S
PLAY WANTING
which One Shall | Marry" at
0rpheum Lacks Punch
and Other Things.

Leila Shaw's allegorical-problem
sketch Which One Shall 1 Marry,
scored a decisive failure in its open
ing performance in South Bend Sun
day afternoon at the Orpheum. There
are three requisites which allegory
must have to get over" They are
a brilliant setting, actors of unusual
talent, and a punch. Which one
Shall 1 Marry had none of these.
Through the usually effective means
Of contrast, the alleged allegorical-
problem, which endeavored to point
out the wrong and the right road to
happy married life, the author of
which One Shall l Marry evidently
hoped TO set the minds of young girls,
bent upon matrimony, at rest as TO the
folly Of marrying for wealth and posi-
ton. And by contrast, Ralph 7. Kett-
ring, the writer has further attempt
ed TO show the happiness which
comes to the home of the honest but
poor and tired working man.
Leila Shaw takes the part Of the
wife. In the first episode, the pro-
logue, she asks the question, which
shall I marry? "A Rich Man" stalks
out before a velvet curtain and more
like an interlocutor than an actor,
but yet within keeping with the hard
and fast idea OF categorical and NOR
atty plays, introduces himself. He
has fabulous wealth, his wife can
have all she wants. The poor man
dittoes the movements of the cap
italist (call him what you WILD and
he has also an honest toiler'S love for
his wife.
Now the second episode runs along
and from somewhere in the lines the
audience learns that the rich mans
g l.. - g. III, mi
into the world. She attempts to tell
about it. oh no, he can not listen.
He must keep an appointment that
he add another million to his bank
roll. She drinks a glass of wine,
pours a poison into the beveridge,
and pouf-she dies The scene is very
ghaStly, for the rays of a green horrid
light are thrown upon her in the
death scene.
Episode Three.
But behold Episode three begins.
An honest wife, happy in her days
work and home comes the toiler. He
furnishes the usual atmosphere OF
domesticity by wiping the dishes.
Then she hints that she has a secret.
Either for fear that the audience has
not obtained the full significance of
the foregoing episode, or that they
may not interpret fully the contrast
that the sceen in hands presents, The
Poor Man" tells his wife that The
Rich Mans" Wife shot herself. And
then Leila Shaw, now the poor mans
wife, throws out a hint that the other
wife died for want of love. The Sc
cret' in this episode is revealed by
the novel method OF producing tiny
garment.
The heavens beam with joy. happi-
ness reigns supreme. Curtain, end
of act, let us be accurate, episode III.
And then, lastly, the prologue. The
Rich Man" and The Poor Man" come
in, repeat what they practically said
in the prologue, and Miss Shaw comes
from the center of the stage to ask
(which shall marry?''
The little company Of four made
vain attempt Sunday afternoon to put
the sketch across. But ii failed. Per-
haps it was the fact that the scenes
were overdrawn. perhaps that the ac-
tors did not make the most of their
opportunities Miss Shaw did not
charm her audience, at least she made
no curtain calls. She probably
thought the audience was handcuffed.
Something new, something different
with a punch makes up a
good sketch. AllegOries were good in
their day. But (Which One Shall l
Marry with an attempt at a modern
of a problem of mar
riage. belongs. let us hope, with
decadent spirit. May it rest In peace!
Rest of Bill Good.
The remainder of the bill was above
the average.
Harry Tsuda dares the heavens by
standing on two chairs on the top OF
a huge ball which rests upon a table.
and Ed and Jack Smith in songs and
dances had an agreeable and fresh
line of chatter" not to say some
spicy songs and difficult eccentric
dances.
Clifford and Mack scored heavily
with their songs and dances. the lat
ter's Interpretation of a Jewish per-
sonality being especially well received.
Miss Mack avoided the cheap vulgar
Jewish Characterization which some
times so disgustingly present them
selves before the eyes of the American
vaudeville audience.
Tom Linton and his jungle girls
really proved the headliner. Their
songs tingled with catchy strains, the
chorus was composed of attractive
maids. and the bits Of comedy here
and there were breezy and went over