The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-01-03

Tears-real, real tears, not only from
the always more impressionable fcmi-
nine members Of the audience, but also
from the masculine portion-ls the
tribute paid the Overholser players this
week in their production Of that all
powerful, all heart-breaking drama,
Madame X. The first OF the play is dis
appointing in its lack Of punch" it ],
true. The prologue and first act arc
lacking in conviction. This Is due in
part to an apparent lack Of certainty
in the lines. On several occasions, the
hesitation was quite noticeable. but this
will be obva,ed. The scene in the
prologue between the deserted husband
and repcntant wife. while in the compe-
tent hands of Mr. Brickert and Miss
Huff, does not GO through with their
accustomed strength The dialogue be-
tween the two friends is but slightly
better.
Mr.. Brickert and Mr.. Gwynne are
good looking enough TO make one for
give them much, but we cannot help
but hope for more from them.
The first act. picturing the return
after twenty years OF degradation is al
most too painful, and for the moment
! seems oyerdrawn, but soon Miss Huff
begins ID ring true, Here she must
again be congratulated upon the peoul.
lar quality OF her voice. II plays this
part well and brings conviction OF III,
years which have indeed left theil
mark Mr.. Walling as Laroque i
rather good. making him an irrespons
ible sort of good natured scallawag
with great deal of cold brutality
which is more good for nothing thar
villainous. Perrisard and Maerivel il
the hands OF Mr.. Brown and Mr.
Sweeney make as engaging pair o
rascals as one can desire. They d.
much toward stirring up the interes
in this act, which, even with the epi
sode OF the murder. drags q little. Mis-
Dale as the love-lorn maid makes |
striking contrast TO the once beautiful
Madame X. The porter. Anthon,
Ryan, merits special oommendation 70
his work in the first and in the las
act
The third scene is brighter, both il
work and lines. Miss Bristowe alway
looks charming, and the entrance o
Mr. Fillmore as Raymond is most wei
come. All the characters seem to b
more real and Mr.. Brickert in hi
scene here with Raymond does his bes
work Of the whole play The love seen
is appealing under the circumstance
and the lightness with which the fathe
and son discuss in ignorance the trag
edy OF their own lives is heart breaking
The play is one of contrasts. The in
different impersonal blindness to IN
true situation is too terrible. Light o
the one side with the boy lbsolut
darkness on the other in the life Of III
mother. and the carele. walking owe
the brink OF the husband, awakene
too late TO the havoc wrought by hi
own hardness and pride forms stron
preamble for the end.
But the first three acts are simpl
preparatory to the wonderful climax c
, the court room scene. Here the DE-
fects Of them drop into insignificanc
before the incompatible acting OF Mi,
Huff as the mother on tho stand an
. Mr.. Fillmore a. the son of q mother
. longing heart. fighting unawares for II
} life Of the one who bore him. With a
. which is due Miss Huff in her strcng,
in this act, the honors 60 TO Mr.. FIJI
more. He is splendid His youth, n
sincerity, his charm. his absolute natu1
alness, shown in the little mannerisu
I such as smoothing his hair back, h
. catches Of breath. his emotion. u
|. whole. in fact, In the court room seen
! are admirable. Mr.. Fillmore is u
play. The rest is simply 4 setting Il
him. His comedy is exquisite, but OF
! cannot easily forget his cry at the Ia
, when the long lost. newly found mothe
poor little thing that she WAS. is gor
forever.