New Britain herald., 1916-05-09
MUSIC, MIRTH,
 MAIDS AND MEN
All in Musical Show at Lyceuln-
 Many Surprises Greet Playgoers

to announce the fact that they would
 essay something quite different from
 their ordinary line of work. Thus an l Irish comedian would "step out of the
 character" which meant taking off the
 wig, and singing an old time lulla by,
 or telling a series of heart interest
 stories A change somewhat on this
 order has gone into effect at the
 Lyceum theater. The Alfred Cross ! Players have cast aside drama and ] are now devoting their time to musi- l cal comedy. Last night they
 Stepped out of the character" and l put on George M. .Cohan's popular vehicle 'The Talk of New York; 1 And, be it said in passing, the entire ] affair was success.
 Alfred Cross takes the part of Kid" Burns, a character not new to him as he started the "Kid' on his
 IT, erry way last year in "Forty-five
 Minutes From Broadway This time inc celebrated "Kid' is all dressed up has spic and span clothes, travels in the best society. and is almCst on the verge of winning the hand of wealthy young lady when cruel fate steps between them. But in the end the whole affair turns out all O.. K, and Alfred Cross gets a chance in the last act to share with Miss Julie Herne- a scene that harks back to the days when real drama
 occupied the stage at the Lyceum. Miss Hernc plays the character Of a young society girl who is very much in 1eve with "Kid" Burns but who has difficulty in nursing her hearts desire because of a stern mother Y, ,iorl, 41,; man." Miss Herne has no song in this play but what she neg1ects to do in the singing line she more than makes up for in clever portrayal. of character Seldom, if ever. has the leading lady of the Alfred Cross P1avers been seen to better advan- 4age. MT. Cross has four songs and gets away with them in fine style More than that. He scores a tremen- dous hit when. after singing "Under Any Old Flag his chorus seemingly deserts him and he goes through a Zouave drill all by himself. The audience last right liked this stunt immensely and insisted upon several repetitions. "When a Fellows on the
 Level With Girl That's on the
 Suuare," proved another good song for MT. Cross.
 And now. in the regular order of things, we como to Philip Sheffield. This young man has found his element in musical comedy. Abso- ,utely! He is possessed of a wonder full singing voice, sweet and soothing, and also he knows a few steps. The one deplorable thing, however is that he is not given enough songs Tn the third act the audience called
 
 which were rendered very well. in- deed As matter of fact, Philip Sheffield belongs in musical comedy. This form of entertainment was just huilt for his purposes. All by him self he could easily become a star of the first magnitude but he has done better. He has taken unto himself a partner, not a life partner, but one to assist him in his dances and songs She is we'll known to local theater- goers as she has done some excellent work in serious plays a the Lyceum There is no need for introducing then Miss Winifred Wellington. Always a capa ble actress she finds no difficulty in following in the intricate footsteps Of MT. Sheffield, through a maze of dancing steps. nor in joining him in two very clever songs. With more training Miss Wellington should find no trouble at all in adding value to any musical company. One of the best bits these two present is "When we are MA A-R-R-I-E-D." They have number of effects, including a baby carriage and other paraphernalia.
 Frederick Smith has two songs and succeeds in putting them over" Thomas Senna, who has drilled a chorus of local boys and girls to assist the leading people, last night gave a clever impersonation of a *rube," singing a topical song and dancing.
 All in all, the musical comedy at the Lyceum is great entertainment. The singing and dancing are very well done and what character sketches are presented go big Miss [ Florence Hart leads in this work. 1 presenting With finished ability the 1 wife of a wealthy man who insists | upon keeping company With race track touts and gamblers. Naturally, woman whose husband takes to this sort of life becomes insanely un- sympathetic, and Miss Hart truly de- picts just the manner such 9, wife would assume.
 William Ennis, too, has hand at l well drawn character, altnOuSn Tar different from any type he has ever played. Robert w. Smiley as the old timer along the row, the man who is always looking for a brass rail, is immense. Others who take part in the comedy are Miss Ruth Miner, Charles Schmitt. Roy Buell., Anthony Cushman, George Betz, Herman Bauer, Edward Williams, Alden Lincoln, Robert Strong, Miss Anna Bray Miss Grace Wainwright Miss Florence Yeamans, Miss Gertrude Weber Miss Graca Donovan, and