The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-16

UNDER COVER" CAPITAL PTAAY
WITH STARTLING CLIMAX

For the last few years those who
keep posted In Theatrical affairs OBJ
served that there have been In vogue
quite a number OF plays whose authors
have Wed with each other in the mat
ter of keeping the interest of the au-
dience in more or less continuous sus-
pense to the Anal curtain. Seven
Keys to Baldpate' and "On Trial are
notable instances of this class of
drama For the current weeks bill
at the Academy the Price Players are
presenting Under Cover" the i'm
mensely successful detective play by
Roi Cooper Megrue, who is response
Bile for 1T Pays to Advertise and
others of like calibre. A more pleas
ing selection for summer nights en-
ltertainment could not have been made.
| A farcical melodrama. with an tngen-
ious and highly interesting plot and
a pleasant admixture of wholesome
| comedy. 1t held the uninterrupted at
tention of a fine audience throughout
it's four acts. Tho exciting incidents
occur in the New York customs house
and at Long Island country home,
and the store is concerned with the
smuggling of a 100000 pearl neck
lace, the attempted detection OF the
perpetrator of this deed, and the frus-
tration of the plans OF the officials in
a manner utterly amazing and start
ling to the auditors in a thoroughly
surprising climax. whose nature we
will defy even the most astute to fore
tell.
The enterprise and shrewdness Of
Mr. Price ind expression in one plan
that is very pleasing innovation In
summer threatricals. He proposes,
and Is adhering to his announcement,
TO introduce from time TO time new
faces in his company. necessarily
thereby injecting fresh int set and
variety into his productions. Miss
Collinge. having completed her con-
quest. has taken her departure. Miss
Catherine Proctor. g. Belasco product
of established reputation. plays the
! leading feminine role IN Under
! Cover" and her work gives ample
evidence OF nine years OF experience
under the rnasterful guidance of her
inguished tutor. She is an emo
tional actress of pleasing personality
and rare skill and gives thoroughly
accom- plished and sympathetic read
ing of a role that Is by no means easy
to interpret
Richard Dix does the most polished
| piece of work we have yet had from
him. He improves rapidly on ac-
quaintance. Young. ambitious. earn
est and thoroughly at ease. he Is AL
ways more than equal to his task.
This young man has a very happy
blend of the best attributes of two
leading men who were recently prime
fayorites in stock companies.
Mr.. whitecar. a sterling character
actor. always a finished performer. has
led us to expect nothing else than the
unconmonly fine characterization of
Daniel Taylor, the detective of the
customs service, that he gives In this
play. The austere, cold blood ed ,
pompous inspector Is an important
role. and an impressive performance
is Mr.. Whitecars.
Miss Viola Leach. a stunning young
woman from the coast. IS a new mem
Der this week, Her role is scarcely
more than a "hit." But her work in
1t leaves no doubt as to her ability
and gives splendid promise of what
We are to expect next week in one OF
the biggest parts ever assigned to a
stock actress
Mr.. Nolte Is, as usual, breezy and
clever, and Mr. Haines can't keep be-
ing funny even in a bit The other
members are amply competent in
minor roles, and barring the ineyI-
table first night 'stalis." the whole
production Is smooth.
If the Price Players do not play to
big business all the week with such
an exceptional entertainment as I'm
der Cover" its director must surely
be at a loss as to what to provide
II you have not already made the
acquaintance OF these clever PLAYERS
you Will not have richer opportunity
Underlined for next week Is a play
eagerly awaited by all lovers of the
drama. The Woman in tho Case"
by Glide Fitch, is 60 sufficient guar
antee for a successful week But
don't overlook Under Cover" 1t is
full OF good acting. with startling
denouenent. C. p.