The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-12
ADJUSTMENTS
Margaret Anglin.

In n delightful comedy bordering
In a most refreshing manne upon
the old-fashioned comedy OF man
ners and acted in a most de-
lightful way, Miss Margaret Anglin
returned Wednesday night to enhance
the treasure trOve Of Memphis theater-
goers at the new Lyric, with "Billeted,'
a comedy collaboration from the facile
pens Of F. Tennyson Jesse and II. M.
HarwOOd.
1t will not be amiss to assert without
qualification that local theater-goers,
IN a long time, have not been so keenly
and happily amused as were those
who last night reveled in the delicious
comedy evoked by "Billeted." Inciden-
tally, or primarily, as one would have
1t, Miss Anglin was never seen in u
more brilliant portrayal than the role
Of Betty Taradine, which she essays
In his comedy. Her present vehicle,
through the sheer force Of Its brilliant
and epigrammatic dialogue, overshad-
ows to a marked degree, the vehicle
IN which this sterling actress delighted
Memphians on the occasion of her pre-
vious visit here three years ago.
For quiet humoT, delightfully."- anus
Ing situations and brilliant dialogue
the sort Of entertainment which makes
one happier for having spent an evening
at the theater-"Billeted" merits all the
encomiums which have been heaped
upon 1t since it's premiere.
1t Is an unusual play and relates
an unsual story in an unusual manner.
In short metre, 1t concerns gossip about
a fascinating widow whose husband has
been missing since a quarrel three years
previous. This woman is now hostess
to strange officers with no other chap
eron than a pretty girl companion. Col,
Preedy Is a mode OF propriety, but
things begin to happen when Capt. Ry-
mill fha YLauUI,r aHE1,yaA so t,,v. -
to be the errant husband. And things
continue to happen for three entertain
ing acts, during which the domestic
farce is carried to a high pitch Of anus
ing peTpleXities. The denouement must
come, however, but the authors have
dealt with this necessity with a deft
and pleasing hand,
Bereft Of a moral, p~ropounding no
dogma and but family touching upon
the war, "Bfleted" comes to the the
alter only as a most delightful and UNI
adultered bit Of English comedy, pre-
CLOSING over human frailties. AS such
i Is a gem in the diadem OF current
d~ramaturgy.
Miss Anglln has occupied a place OF
exalted distinction on the American
stage for years n has again and
again demonstrated in widely divergent
roles her right to be Classed among the
few really great emotional actresses. In
Shakespeare, classic Greek drama and
now In comedy, she makes the stage
better for It's having her.
Miss Angltn, with the same finesse
as evidenced In her acting, has sur
rounded herself with an artistic set
ting and a most capable ~companysof ar
lists, Of whom the stellar honors must
be accorded to Langdon Bruce for his
finished and artistic portrayal OF the
role Of Col. Preedy, and Fred Eric is
most attractive and capable as Capt,
Rymill. Harry Barfoot az Rev. Am
brose Liptrott, Sally williams as EN-
maline Liptrott and Phyllis Birkett as
Penelope Moon are also most accept
able,
Miss Anglin will remain at the New
Lyric for Thursday matinee and night
performances. G. Il. BROWN.