New Britain herald., 1917-01-30
NAYLOR PLAYERS
IN new TRIUMPH
Lyceum Company Scores Again in
'Leah KleSChna"

There are tense, dramatic moments
in Leah Kleschna,' the flve-act
drama the Walter Naylor players
present this week at the Lyceum. AS
a matter Of fact there is superabun-
dance Of situations that compel what
might be .f1ttingly called gripping"
attention. If there Is any fault to
find with the play it is that there is
not enough, or any, comedy relief.
There can be no adverse criticism of
the manner of presenting the vehicle
made famous by Mrs. Fiske. In their
third week at the local theater the
Naylor Players show a versatility that
is encouraging.
Miss Virginia Perry, Philip Quin
Orrin Burke and Ralph Murphy play
the four leading parts In the drama
from the pen Of 6. M. 8. Mcclellan.
Miss Perry In the title role has an
emotional part which she plays with
exceeding cleverness. She Is the
daughter Of a thief, the cleverest of
all the thieves In Paris, and he
teaches his daughter the intricacies OF
the high art Of pilfering. AS the
father, Orrin Burke, rises to majes-
tic heights. The Lyceum stage has
witnessed some heavy parts played by
this week gives an exhibition of the
good old days when elocution was
held sacred 1t is doubtful II he has
reached such heights In any previous
attempts here. AS an exact antithesis
Of the part played by Mr.. Burke.
Philip Quin presents the character or
the goodly gentleman who saves Leah
kleschna from her wicked environ
ment. Occupying the stage during the
MA or portion Of the action MP
Quin goes through several long
speeches without even the slip Of a
tongue. And, this is notably true Of
the greater number of the players,
who, different from many stock
players. have learned the art of pre-
senting a we'll balanced play on the
first night. Ralph Murphy who
scored notably in his first two weeks
has not such highly important part
| this week, but in the chara cter
"Schramm" has a chance to step aside
from the regular routine Of American
men. AS an accomplice in crime Of
the old and more seasoned "Kleschna"
Mr.. Murphy portrays the one trace Of
| human kindness that makes black sin
somewhat whittier.
Leah Kleschna" is a play out Of
| the ordinary. AS presented by the
Naylor Players it is worthy of atten-
ton. The stage appointments, too,
| are very we'll selected, and the draw
! ing room scene In the second and
third acts are admiral bly, painted and
set. Aside from the four leading
. characters In the play there are nine
! others that have much to do with
, the action. These for the most part
are in capable hands. Especially is
this in the case Of Miss Margie
| Dow who plays the part of an old
mother. and Harry K Hamilton, who
is cast as the william drafted from the
ranks of society. Mr.. Hamilton
! should probably have been mentioned
| before. His work is very good al
F.; though the character of it will not
warrant him any especial applause
from an audience that appreciates the
, wickedness Of dyedin -the-Wool
william, which. is another way of say
ing that Mr.. Hamilton is exceedingly
good. Kisses are the highest praise
an actor playing such a role can ex-
meet. Others who have to do with the
presentation Of this play are MISS
Dorothea Antel, Miss Irene Antel
Fred Cleveland and Victor Beecrott.