The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-03
GARRICk.

GARRICk.
There may have been q more de-
lightful comedy presented In Detroit
within the last dozen years than old
Lady 81. but N 81 "a has escaped the
memory OF the oldest theatergoer.
The theater at the opening perform
ance Monday night WAS packed 20
capacity with an audience 50 sym
pathetic that "a laughed and cried al
ternately. the tears and amiles being
about evenly divided.
While the play is unquestiona bly,
one OF the very best % modern times
~ IA conceivable that ~ might not
have been SO gripping u presented
vehicle, he~et~ ana group OF
practically all stars. SO spleadidly
selected for the various parts. one
almost forgot that they were simply
plAy-actors ana gave himself up 20
the certainty that they had all Just
stepped ont Of the New England coast
The story itself. written in book
form by Louise Forslund and made
into a play BY Rachel Crothsrs. who
has had exceptional success with her
comedies. tE that ot a retired old sea
dog who has fallen upon evil days
and 10 obliged 20 sell his tiny cottage
home and betaks himself 20 the poor
house. buying with the proceeds OF
the sale berth m the oldl ladies
home.
The old captain and quantity sweet
wife arrive at the home and nDd the
other inmates on the veranda- The
parting OF the aged couple encttes
the sympathy OF the other tnhabt-
tants OF the Ablishment to such
an extent that they take a vote and
decide 10 violate all precedent BY
Rsking the old captain 10 remain also.
They dub him 'Old Lady 81" since
there are 30 other residents already
-
even tho bent with age. IN the midst
OF 80 women young In heart even IL
stricken in years. complications are
bound TO arise. How they are un-
folded makes the story.
OF courae there are a couple OF de-
lightfully fresh young lovers thrown
In whose romance trembles In the
depths Of despair or risss 20 the sew
enth heaven OF delight alternately
sandvichd in with the revertes and
OF the elderly souls
who Wre either disappointed or
oeraft. II furnishes the contrast
needed 10 MAKE the stage story COM
pietsly satisfying.
Emma Dunn. as the swsstly sym- ,
pathetic and philosophical wife. gave
a demonstration OF the highest type
Of artictic acting and completely won
her audience from the start The
other inmates OF the home. all OF
whom are In truth long past the
time when they might be descrtoed
an youthful. and who are well known
70 theater patrons Of the last 70
years or more. left nothing 20 be de-
sired. This group 10 made up OF such
as VIVA Ogden. Mrs Felix Aorrih
Maud Sinclair. Anna Bates. May Cal
yer. Isottie Church. Mary Davis,
Elizabeth Leroy. Clare Coleman and
Ann Eggleston-
The kapless old ssafArsr. who. how
ever. comes into peaceful plenty be-
fore the nnai curtain, Is portrayed by
Scott Cooper, whose work like that
OF ell the other membefs OF the party
10 highly satisfactory Edward Ocon-
nor. as Mike the Irish ianitor OF the
home In q small part. gives an anus
ing character sketch OF the typicai
Nick Stuart Sage and Marie
Peeheur. as John and Mary, the
young sweethearts. are refreshtngiy
youthful and optimistic. SAmual
Darby. old chum OF ''Old Lady u. ts
presented by Louis fierce. who In
every particular. bellies his ame.