Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-16
MARY'S ANKLE HAS
SLENDER OUTLINES
Without Much Substance, May
Tully's Farce Is Neverthe-
Less Bright and Amusing

L. W
First ste~s rd. &oei Tearle
Act I--Onice ana living room Of Doctor Hemn-
ION. in Mrs. Merriyale's apartment. New York
city. morning.
Act II-same as Act l. Ten days later.
Act uI-Deok Of The steamship Bermuda, one
hour later.
Slenderness and charm are typical Of
Marys ankle and of the dainty play in
which IT is involved. The title suggests
piquant developments not too timorous of
the proprieties These last however, are
decorousy observed throughout Miss Tullys
pleasant little farce. The piece is neither
racy, nor daring, nor salacious. The par
ticular brand Of "smartness" eXemplifed
by such footlght offerings as Baby Mine
and Fair and Warmer has little kinshlp
with the Adelphi's new bill The piece is
but mildly seasoned. The title alone has
that dash paprika" which occasionally is
said TO cheer the managerial box office
No disappointment that this apparent
clue suggested by a catchy play name
proved false was. however. registered by
last nights audience, that laughed heartily
at amusing situations. capitally acted.
WEAKNESS at risque plays need by no means
betoken prudishness. II can indicate also
sad safety with respect 10 rather we'll
worn subject matter mouotonously repeated.
Miss Tully il must be confessed has re-
verted 10 certain ancient farcical motives
bur these have for some sea sons been in
eclipse, their revival actually assumes
something Of the virtue of novelty. They
are breeZily and refreshingly treated Mer.
riment produced by the old situation in
which niggardly uncle Unexpectedly de-
Scends upon struggling young nephew,
ira med for a profession, but at his Wits
81 n ID. 1na 80, 81
delectable. In this instance the climax is
complicated by the fact the youth, a
patient-huntiug doctor, who has sent out
bogus wedding announcements in order 10
secure marketable presents, is ministering
10 a fair damsal with a sprained ankle at
the very moment when the reputed ogre
appears. OF course, the girl is mistaken
for the bride and the most dverting scene
Of the play ensues.
About this situation is fashioned a farcical
fabric that is often thin, particularly in the
first act, which seems unnecessarily padded
but the action is delightfully."- accelerated
with the entrance of Walter Jones as tho
highly self-assured and completely hoaxed
relative. Best OF all, an admirable company
participates in the fuumaking with so much
eNpertness and so keen a sense of character
values that what is essentially merely
fragile farce takes on the substance and
conviction Of genuine comedy. For this
reason "MaTy's Ankle" is not one of those
tempestuously 'uproarious plays" that fire
the beholder with overemphass. II is bright
merry, wholesome, unpretentious entertain
ment, impaired by the "tumult and the
shouting sometimes so unwsely used 10
ginger up" mirth'provoking possibilities
Under these circumstances even the authors
elongation of the aim of farccal coinci-
dence may he forgiven.
The trio of young men whose purses are
as empty Of coin as their active brains are
rich are engagngly presented by Bert
LNtell, r. W. Gibson and Leo Donnelly.
Walter Jones's sound farcical technique is
gratifyingly displayed in his unctuous
portrait Of the hoodwinked uncle, whose
outlines are family suggestive of that Shelf
field Gregory that used to be so deliciously
presented by Gilbert Hare when his gifted
brother John gave "A Pair of Spectacles.
Irene Fenwicks delicate art is as winning
as her much discussed ankle and that is
voicing high praise Zelda Sears's hypochon-
drical landlady is a comic gem, equsling her
achievement in The Blue Mouse" The
steamship setting of the last act is pleas
antly realistic and fertile in fun poten-
tialites, OF which the playwright happily
avails herself H T. G f