New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-02-22
MRS. HUBBARD GIVEN
ROUSING RECEPTION
FaVOrite Character Actress Re-
turns to Lyceum in Formid-
able Vehicle, "KiCk-In"

ing the person, it runs something like
conquered ,-meaning of course, Mrs.
Adelaide Hubbard in ''Kick-in" last
night at the Lyceum. 1t was gala
occasion. Packed to the rafters the
old Lyceum held the joyousness of a
gathering in the old Roman days
The young and the old, the girls and
the bows, the fathers and mothers,
all were there. 1t seemed as if New
Britain took the night Off and went
over to welcome home Mrs. Hibbard.
And she was given a royal receptlOn
At the close of the first act she was
presented with two massive bouquets
and q, basket of flowers. Responding
to continuous ovation she was forced
to step to the footlights and make
curtain speech. And pretty little
speech it was. Just the thing her
auditors wanted her to say. Ihere
was emotion in her voice as she told
how glad she was to get back to her
second home" Referring to her
coming back to New Britain some
friend had told her it was too good
to be true" That's the way she felt
about it, too. 1T has been nearly
three years since I first played on the
Lyceum stage" said Mrs H1bbard,
and some of the happiest moments
of my career have been spent behind
these same old footlights."
Nor must it be supposed that be-
cause Mrs. Hubbard was given such
"glad hand" the other stars in the
company were neglected. Not at all.
There was the ovation given Miss
Julie Herne and a monster bouquet of
roses at the close of the third act.
The little leading lady fitted just as
snugly in the hearts of the audience
as she has all along since coming to
New Britain. She was as good, if not
better, than in many of her previous
performances and displayed the same
rare talent that stamps her as an emo
tional actress of the first water.
And Alfred Cross. He also ran
true to form and came out with fly
ing colors. In the galaxy of stars he
easily held his place and was greeted
with enthusiasm for his handling of
the many good situations he has to
meet as the reformed crook. In
nutshell, the whole affair last night
was a triumph for the Alfred Cross
Players. The company was eXcep-
good. They warmed up to the
occa sion, their work showed the re-
Spouse awakened by the enthusiasm
on the other side of the fOotnghts,
and the play was rendered in perfect
style There was not a line forgotten,
not word left out, not mis-cue.
And the newcomers to the company
suffered none by comparison with the
old timers. There was Miss Eveta
Francis, the new ingenue, little star
who would set we'll in any diadem.
She has all the beauty that should be
attendant upon youth and, coupled
with this, compelling personality.
Playing the daughter of the Irish
landlady, not such a wonderful part,
what lines she has are read we'll
and she makes a favorable impress
sion.
William Ennis as "Whip' Fogarty
is another newcomer who registered
a hit. He plays the role of the cyni-
cal, heartless and bully plainclothes
officer. Because he is big and strong
Of body he has no difficulty in creating
a character that impresses the audi
ence.
AS the deputy police commissioner,
J. Irving White, who all along this
season has been one of the anchors
to the organization at the Lyceum,
comes to the fore in another triumph.
This part is something entirely differ
ent than anything he mas played here
so far, and he does it we'll. He is par
ticularly good in his closing scene
when Molly the wife of the criminal
hero, succeeds in getting him to set
her free so her child Will not be born
in prison..
Philip Sheffield has one of his best
opportunities as the dope fend,
brother of Molly. He has many good
scenes and plays them all effectively
Then there are the Misses Dora
Booth and Anna Reader who rendered
| good accounts of themselves. Miss
Booth as memphis Bessie" portrays
one of the hardened female crooks
not effected in the least by the third
| degree, and Miss Reader has a good
| part as the sweetheart of the man
! whose death causes a lot of trouble
| for Molly and Chick. Others in the
! cast who deserve mention are, Girard
Paterson. and Joseph Henley, who has
| done some favorable parts in past per
formances.
| 'Kick m is truly q play with a
| punch, a real thriller and crowded
with heart interest and all that goes
| to make the crook play big. It has
| to do with "Chick" Hewes, Alfred
| Cross, and his wife Molly, Julie Herne
who, after a life of crime, have de-
| cided to go straight. They do
| not, however, part with all their
| old associates. Two of these
| old friends are suspected of having
| stolen q diamond necklace Chick
, is arrested and taken to Police Head
quarters under suspicion of knowing
something about the theft, and put
| through the third degree. Chick