The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-21

play Is one Of the finest, truest types
of womanhood ever portrayed upon
the foreign or native stage. But little
more than out of her honeymoon she
makes supreme sacrifice. and displays
overwhelming skill and couraee in
wringing from the other woman the
truth that will free her husband from
an unjust accusation OF murder. He
liz the victim Of circumstantial evil
dence, and his case seems hopeless,
but his wife is determined to bring
oat-the TRUTH and she gets it in the
great encounter of wit against vile
that was talked about in Richmond
for weeks after the Anal curtain had
fallen upon the single performance
which tn eplay had here few years
ago. Everybody who saw The Wom-
an In the Case" wants to see II again,
and 1T will have the fascination OF
absolute novelty to the younger gem
Grafton that have since come to an
appreciation of what Is big and real
in spoken drama. There are thousands
In Richmond these summer evenings
oversatiated with screen pantomimes
who eagerly welcome the beauty or
the human voice. the magnetic charm
of human personality.
Richmond is indebted to Manager
r.. IL. fTltS IbT MS CfAhN-
prise and liberality in bringing here
a superior company OF admirable
players--one that he could not have
assembled except during the summer
time He il worthily staging the best
plays and sparing nothing in the way
OF hard work and expenditure to re-
pay the loyalty of those who have
responded to what he is doing, and
he shows a fixed purpose to awaken
the whole community to the worthi-
ness of his endeavor He Is giving
Richmond a tremendous lot for the
money, and there is welcome signiff-
cation that the playgoers who attend
the Academy represent the best IN
telligence and social position--there
were Ave box parties in one evening
the past week-and everybody goes
away to praise the quality and general
excellence of the productions.
Catherine Proctor, trained in the
Belaseo methods. artistic, we'll poised,
In thorough command OF every stu
alton. has been pronounced the best
equipped leading woman seen in Rich
mond stock these many years Viola
Leach with q buoyant. breezy per-
sonality and fine training. has also
won instant popularity They will
have their first really big chances
ent types tomorrow night,
There will be a new local debutante
In the Fitch play. who is likely to be
very popular She Is Beverly West.
dainty and versatile little ingenue,
who has a frst-ciass record. Miss
West was the original Amy in the
New York production of Little Wom-
en-" and with Thos A. Wise in The
Gentleman from Mississippi" She.
like Miss Proctor. Is under engage
ment to David Belasco for the au-
tumn. Within the past month she
was In the Atlantic City premier of his
latest offering. "A Lucky Fellow" and
he Immediately re-engaged her for
the September opening in New York.
The men of the company are with
out single exception, already warm
favorites. Richard Dix. one OF the
youngest OF leading men. has a
charming personality and spirit of
earnestness and enthusiasm that
means rapid progress In his profess
sion. And this Is true of the, like
able young Juvenile actor Mr.. Nolte,
who was here in Twin Beds" Mr..
Hohl. excellent in heavy roles. Louis
Haines. the comedian who looks like
a young Nat Goodwin; Mr.. Ripple,
a most versatile actor. not forgetting
those we'll tried veterans. Helen Tracy
and w. A. Whitecar. who have Gre
ated innumerable parts in famous
plays.
1t is company full Of personality,
mentality. manner. enthusiasm and
artistic quality and II is a privilege
to have Ii in Richmond even for the
brief summertime when there 10 so
little to divert public eager for good
entertainment at such moderate
prices.
Edgar Selwyn's delightful blend of
comedy and love story. THE Country
Boy" is among the excellent plays to
be given later