The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-02-09
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.
Revealing the sort OF white slave
trafic that 10 not only protected but
apparently promoted by the Russian
government. THE Yellow Ticket"
which was seen in the Detroit opera
house Monda yevening. presented two
hours and quarter of melodrama
that interested. and at times seemed
to heartily amuse large audience.
Michael Morton wrote the play, the
main Incidents of which a program
note assures were founded on facts.
As the central figure In the story
Marya varenka, the hunted young
Jewess, Florence Reed offers a re-
markable bit OF fine and intelligent
acting, and saves the play from be-
Ing altogether impossible. Miss Reed.
the daughter of the late Roland Reed.
whose fame as an accomplished &C
tor Ia part OF the theatrical history
OF 20 years or more ago. II Q talent
ed young woman whose career is
just In the making and whose achieve
ments thus Far entitle her to firm
place on the high road to greatness.
AS Marya, Miss Reed succeeds In
drawing a portrait. with great fidelity,
OF the woman OF the Jewish race In
Russia, denied all rights Of personal
liberty, subject to the brutality Of
the men clothed In the omnipotent
power OF the okrana (secret police)
and. where beauty of person exists.
becomes the victim OF degradation un-
speakable. Miss Reeds portrayal
was one of appealing charm. great
sincerity and exceptional power In
that her acting was of the quiet, In
cisive, convincing sort. The role
could so easily oe over-acted and
contains so many pitfalls for the
emotional" actress. that Miss Reeds
skilful avoidance showed her keen
conception OF values.
She is required to deliver many
long speeches in explanation OF
Marya's peculiar position and II given
with less delicate appreciation. these
speeches might easily resolve into
mere recitation. It Is due entirely to
Miss Reeds art beyond q doubt that
1.-THE Yellow Ticket" has had the
vogue credited to It. She created the
part or Maya.
The story Of the play Is not pleas
ant one. The yellow ticket Is a pass
port issued to the fallen woman" in
Russia, the bit Of parchment guaran-
teeing the holder from interference
by the police, providing she plies her
trade and reports once each month
to the okrana. Marya, the daughter
of Jewish family in small village
In Russia, Is left to care for her In
valid mother while her father goes to
seek a new home for them In America.
Returning for his family. the father
Is seized with fatal illness. II Is nee
essary that Marya go to him, but the
regulations which prevent any Jew
from passing beyond 1.-THE pale Of set
without special passport
bar her way. Her mother dies and
the girl, frantic with grief, and very
young and very innocent, makes one
last appeal to the authorities Of the
village and the grim joke 10 played
upon her of issuing to her the yellow
ticket Thereafter she Is bounded
from place to place because she docs
not live up to the requirements, and
finally, she finds herself In the power
of the chief OF the okrana. To save
herself from him she kills him. stab
bling him to death with hat pin. This
scene, which forms the second act OF
the piece. is remindful OF the Staying
of the Baron Scarpia, chief OF the Ro-
man police. In the operate drama OF
LA Tosca." Eventually Marya Is
saved" In true melodramatic style by
an American newspaper correspond
ent.
Edwin Arden, one of the best OF our
welleouipped actors, plays the cruel
and bestial Baron Andrew, with skill,
and rounds out the excellent work or
Miss Reed in the strong scenes--in
more ways than one-with discrim-
mating Judgment.
The various characters In the
drama are in the capable hands OF
Maude Leslie, as Margery Seaton, an
English girl, and the only other WON
an in the play; David Terrence. as
father; Sydney Booth. as
Julian Rolfe, the American journal
list: Harry billiard. as Margery's
flance, Russian nobleman; Ldwin
Michael Wilens, William
I.avine, Edward r. Mawson
and Kalman Matus as members OF
the okrana.
"The Yellow Ticket" Is not convinc-
ing drama. nor II Is well-made or
well-knit play. Whatever interest II
has aroused, or will continue to
arouse, will be due entirely to the
of Miss Reed in her orig
lnal role and exceeding care In the
selection OF the company which inter-
prets its melodramatic Inconsistent
cies.
The play is carefully staged and In
the second act. which discloses the
apartments OF Baron Andrew, there
Is sumptuous richness.
The engagement is for the week,
with the regular Wednesday and Sat
lrday afternoon performances supple
mented with special Friday mat
nee. Monday evening, Feb. 10.
Potash and Perlmutter" will open
Fhatr aam plaa In tho Tofrott for a