South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-09-19
NeW Vehicle of
Miss Crosman's
Is a Bit " alky .
"ErStWhile Susan" Affords
Delightful Characterization
But Moves TrifIe Slowly.

without pretending any extern
site erudltion in the mysteries Of
the stage managers technique one
may without hesitaucy suggest that
henrietta Cr0smans new vehicle.
Erstwhile Susan" viii not suffer
BY little sklful cutting IL is
possible that further rehearsals Cthe
played opened It's season In South
Bend may overcome some Of the
little delays which married the per-
Torrance az the oliver last even
lne. An audience not ar all repre-
sentative OF the number of Miss
'rosman s. admirers i'm this city. saw
the production. It's scantiness ia
accounted for in the multitude Of
theatrical offerings for South Bend
ers this week
The play is from novel. and
therein lies the reason for what
not few may regard as defects
or az least disappointments. I'm
play. There is much more charac-
terization than action one must
not quarrel too strongly with that
circumstance, however. If there is
much Characterization It must be
conceded that it is thoroughly in
teresting and exploits not over-fa-
miliar types. And then. too. with
out the slightest disrespect. on the
contrary, with genuine admiration.
10 may be said that Hiss Crosman's
art Is az base elOcutiOnary. The
role Of elocutionist which is hers in
"ErstWhile Susan. is a particularly
happy one. lending itself readily 10
her remarkable facility with flow
ing. even grandilOquent lines. a
facility with which she accom-
plishes her most effective work.
II there should seem 20 be even
hint Of reproach i'm The sugges-
tion that Miss Crosman's art is elo-
cutiOnary 10 should be dlspellcd by
the recollection of her work AZ the
close Of the play. called upon to
speak a piece" by the naughty
ladies who came 10 laugh. she turns
the laugh upon them with an ex-
quisite bit Of elocution. delicate in
the extreme i'm its presentation
crushing in its effect.
There are others acting i'm Miss
CrOsman's support who deserve
credit for faithful Characterization.
Indeed there were none of whom 10
complain. Unfortunately for the
South Bend audience several or
them. however. were not letter per
feet iu their parts. Not "a Few bad
breaks. when they failed 10 take
their cues properly marred the pro-
ductiou particularly i'm the first
act. when Miss Crosman was COM
PEELED 10 step into the breech on
one occasion and Cover a very
lad situation. u was a difficulty
which heightened the dullness
which at times threatened the &C
tion.
Thomas Mitchell. i'm the role of
Jacob Dreary. leads the supporting
ease i'm character presentation. His
portrayal of the elder son of Barn
ably Dreary outshadowed Dodson
Nutcheus presentation of Barnaby.
although the latter was thoroughly
convincing i'm his role. The role of
Jacob really offers more Opportun-
it's. Joseph Attention, as Abel
Buchter. merits equal mention. he
provided a good bit of the rich
comedy i'm which the play is not
wanting. Coates Gwynne was much
better after the first act. He was
sufficiently heroic 10 satisfy the au-
dience that Barnabetta. admirably
portrayed 10y Ann Mason, was get
ting square deal when she prom
i-ed 90 marry him.
The cutting, should there be any,
apparently could be accomplished
u tho first and last acts. The see
oDJ As admirable. leading up 20
climax which has been Cleverly
worked out, a combination of dra-
matte effect and current timeliness.
a brutal father is about 10 thrash
his unonending daughter; as the
,lr;aIn descends re is both thwart-
cd and denounced. The denuncia-
zion is adequate though it con-
s.-tS ~ but three words And it
relieves the tension The scene
aroused the only real enthusiasm of
tle evening. the rest was quiet en-
ioymert. with just "a little. now and
lnpu OF boredom