The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-14
At the Biiou

I Birmingham witnessed the debut of the Grayce Scott players at the Bijou thea | tre last night in the virile comedy drama, I Bought and Paid For" of George 1 Broadhurst Birmingham, as represent ed by large and cosmopolitan assemb- | lage, evinced hearty approval of an ar tistic performance. The Grayce Scott
 players are welcome-they appear to be | far superior to any stock organization
 that has appeared in this city in years. One of the difficulties of stock com panies is the selection of plays, or as 1t is spoken in theatrical parlance, stuff | that will get across to the feminine pat | rons. who are, as Is well known, the most
 loyal devotees to the shine of Thespis Now in Bought and Paid For the
 Grayce Scott management made a happy selection for in the noted Broadhurst comedy drama there is plenty of love
 interest for the ladies. and the male is undoubtedly moved by the we'll worded
 moral sermon served by the author.
 Bought and Paid For'' is an ambitious effort on the part of the Grayce Scott
 players and their work last night dis
 played no lack of rehearsing; in fact. ev- erything went smoothly, and truly ar
 tistic performance was the result
 Miss Scott is a generous star in that
 she allowed the selection of Bought and Paid For as the opening vehicle in Pir-
 minghas as the part of Jimmie Gilley' overshadows that of Virginia Blaine. the
 heroine. However, Miss Scott displayed
 much ability in the treatment she gave
 the part of the telephone girl suddenly
 transposed to superlative wealth. It Is
 difficult role and one hard to make convlncting, but Miss Scott was every thing that could be desired Miss Scott Is certain to attain popular following in Birmingham
 Of the lead, John Warner, who as
 saved the arduous role of Robert Staf- ford, the wealthy husband, it can be said that he created a most pleasing impression despite the fact that though unaccustomed to the acoustics of the Bijoui theatre the patrons in the rear rows had difficulty in hearing his words Which at times were spoken quite too low. However MT. Warner was excel | lent, especially so in the second act when as the intoxicated husband his work was impressive. D DeWltt NeWlng had the fat part, that of Jimmie Gilley" This is the comedy
 hit of the entire performance and as long as Mr. Moving was on the stage continual litter came from the au- dience Mir. Newing had scores of sparkling lines and he secured the max | imum of comedy from each of them In other words, as one of the young fem mine ushers said: Mister Newng was the whole show"
 As Fannie Blaine Miss Nan Craw- ford proved an excellent foil for the comedy work of Mr. Moving. In fact. Miss Crawford shared honors with Mir. Newing and her work impressed of fu- ture good things that she will do. Of the minor characters, Rodney May bee. as "Oku.' the Japanese servant got This place in the sun" by getting everything possible out of his small part Miss, Kathryn Hutchinson, who former club, was excellent as Josephine" the French maid Her 'bit' while small re- ceived the same artistic treatment as of the major parts
 Bought and Paid For" was staged and directed by Dewitt Moving, who ap- pears to be a very versatile young man. The scenic settings were in Keeping with the high class play and MT. Newing deserves congratulations
 At the close of the third act last night the performers were presented with punches of American beauty roses and Erskine Ramsay's friends were not for getful that he was the owner of the Bijou theatre, as he also received floral offering from his feminine acquaint- lancea"