Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-10-01
MARY RYAN CHARMS
As LITTLE TEACHER"
Comedy Drama at Playhouse
Makes Emotional Appeal in
Quaint Setting.

Have YOU ever noticed how at times 4
lot of interesting and really worth while
things come along NIL IN "A lump, 80 that
one cannot possibly take them all in7
OF course, some are more important than
Others, and have 10 be tohe whether or
no" and that IL the misfortune of those
others And il IL assurcdly 10 be dcplorcd
that 'rIhe Little Teacher who is Mary
Ryan--and her background Of types,
from stage school children tn what
nots," and village sewing circle u me-
tedious, with lumher-Iaok hero and a
Canuck chum for oornic relief. should have
come To the Playhouse when Tho various
things interfere. including the upset of
draft operations. Liberty Loan activities
and go on. For each and all Of these
things worked last night tn interfere with
as many people seeing the play rs other
wise would and should.
The sepe il laid in the atmosphere OF
a remote New England hill town, where
the advent of "A city girl M the school
marin" quite topsy-turvics the set charaG-
tiers of all the people and institutions with
whom she comes in contact. These people
are clevcrly conceived and oapably pre-
scnted hv a cast who would do credit to
the imagination ot strip artist by their
assumption md development OF their re-
spcctive individ,alitics
The half dozen scholars am pariicu-
larly natural stage children, ~ho seem
70 rafiect very real influence from the
real Mary Ryan, whose interest III them
is said to be ms great on the stage N her
part credits her with in the play.
4 tinge of the mrlodramatic e,vea move
ment 10 the action. leading through
feminine intuit ION to the unmasking of
the vilainy Of the rpputed parents of
two of the children whose lll-trcatment
moves the teachers pity ~ the extent of
doing a bit of kidnapping on her own
account. and finally brings about the
denoucment of their res Grafton to their
rightful home and automobile
The part of Teacher meets with
most sympathetic interpreter IN Miss
Ryan. who IS ''on almost all the time,
and 81 Identifies herself with IT that one
Is unconscious Of the art with which IL
IS All brought about She made charm
ing impression IN the emotional role
Curtis CookEcy waE n stalwart and
wholesome hero, "a the uncouth lumber
jack. who develops, as physical guardian
Of teacher and children, IN a threatened
crisis, into her devoted slave. and makes
y fine figure in khaki IN the final scene
tlSSlfhADiN ne II fFNAfletl. Ihf ifRFhsT
becomes Red Cross nurse. makes no
strenuous objection 10 his arm encircing
her waist His buddy in tho woods and
bunkle in uniform. Ratiste the habitant.
was we'll portrayed by Louis Alherni
The author, Henry James Smith. Is
entitled 10 credit for providing 50 sult-
a bile q vehicle for the star. IN addition 10
displaying his mastery of the methods
Of producing results by blended tones
rather than hard outlines And the care
full mounting and stage management show
the skilful hand Of the producers, Harris
and Cohen
Tho engagement II for the week, with
"Wednesday and Saturday matinecs
II is hoped that the Liberty Loan com
mIttep will see it's WAY clear to accepting
tho offer Of Manager lpe Milt 10 have tho
children of the company act rs bond
statesmen. IN which role they have been
very successful. IN other campaigns.
passing among the audience. while Mr..
CookseV IS said 20 be rorkinE orator
on Loan subjects, aud he has volun-
tCcrcd
Chancellor Charles NJ Curtis made
hrlcf speech between tho acts, last night.
urging All Ia buy Liberty Ronds His
remarks were applaudcd and doubtless,
proved an lnsplra ton