The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-13
Iheaters
PREMIER OF BRIGHT NEW
COMEDY DELIGHTS AUDIENCE

At the premier performance of the
new comedy. Among Those Present"
IL was rated as an excellent play, and
all who saw It at the Academy last
night expressed their opinion that 1t
In one of the best of It's kind this year.
It is essentially crook" play. but is
dc, clipped along entirely different lines
from any play Of the kind that has
hitherto been produced. The line OF
development Ia comedy. 1t Is intro
duced all through the three scenes.
and Mr.. George Howell. playing the
part Of Percival Glendinning. made
ono Of the biggest hits of the evening
by his very clever comedy and actions.
materially by the part Of Freddie
Krebs As portrayed by William Hal
liean, who Is in a class by himself
when II comes to the joyous festivities.
And not In the least should we for
get the part Of Jimmie Burke. so ably
portrayed by Shelley Hull. who does
60 me exceptionally good acting. He
plays the part Of crook. known to all
in the profession and to the police as
we'll as THE Dancer" It is hard
enough to play successfully the part
OF crook. but to play a crook who
can get away as successfully as Burke
does requires exceptional ability to
act.
Although the feminine roles were
limited to three and though the ladies
did not have much of chance to dis
play their ability. when they were or
the stage they did spiendidly. Espe-
cially we'll played was the part Of Mol
lilo Brant, by Gertrude Hitz. who falls
! in love with Burke. but who does not
know he Is a crook. When she does
find out. however. she forgives him
although It hurst considerably to find
out that the man she loved was not
what she thought he was. The other
two feminine parts are most capably
played by Gertrude Dallas and Heller
Fulton. dainty bits OF feminity. who
wear some stunning gowns. While
personal mention cannot be made OF
each character. 1t Ia only fair to say
that the entire cast is worthy OF the
/ highest consideration.
| The play Is In three acts. the first Of
which is divided into two scenes tn.
main part of the story takes place al
the country place Of .GIendenning
Here 10 laid the scene for an amateur
theatrical show based on a robbery
to be produced ny Glendenning. Burke
gets in and 10 going to do the robbery
I'm earnest until be meets the girl. Mol
He Bfant-fher 7tnd there ne reforms
and makes good hts escape never to bs
known again az The Dancer" Su
spense Is obtained during the entir.
play by very clever schemes, and addt
greatly to the snap and 20 of tn,
story.
4, The settings OF the play are ex
ouisite, and the color schemes ant
novel IDEAS are worked out with /,
great deal OF precision. The gowns o
the ladies are all OF the latest fashion
and add zest to the modernity of Til,
play. And It might be mentioned tina
though q creek play. not a gun 4
pulled during the entire performance
a very unusual thing
Klaw and Erianger and George c
Tyler. as well an the authors. TArr,
Evans and Walter Percival. should b,
heartily thanked and congratulated 70
giving to the theater- going public ,
ixiay OF such great merit and charm
! fairly large house witnessed tn
performances. though Il was not a.
large A. should havo been present a
1.-THE opening performance of a SHOW
! which Richmond had the honor o
getting.
Taken Al Q whole. Among Thos
Present" Ia not only an appropriat
name for the play, but a name for tn
position which It should have in tn
standing of plays thai, are now popu
lar.
A. W p. Jr.