The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-13
M EN w o M FEN
 A ND T HIN c $

!
 Bret Harte's story of Dickens in Camp
 showed that the American rises above
 his environment and reaches out for the best in literature, in spite of the handi- caps of life; and so it's small wonder 1 that within half century a great city
 has grown up in Alabama where 8 Greek poet is honored. l was as much interested in studying the audience which greeted Charles Ram Kennedy and Edith wynne Matthison, the gifted English authors and actors who gave a reading of Alcestis at the Tutwiler on Thursday afternoon to crowded house under the auspices of the
 Birmingham Drama League. as l was in their interpretation of the famous play of old.
 1 got to hear only part of the read ing, as l took part in the Armistice parade, and went to Woodrow Wilson park to hear the addresses of Senators Underwood and Heflin. It was quite a change of scene to leave the hurrahing crowds on the street, the marching of soldiers, the flare of bands and the
 thrill of patriotic speeches to enter
 darkened room where silence reigned
 supreme, save for the well-toned voices
 of two talented actors.
 Husband and wife made a striking pair
 as they sat at the far end of the ball I uyith 5rar cyfcvo dcSd
 from the balcony as a background, while
 the glow of a shaded lamp and the cut
 flowers on the table gave just that
 touch Of home likeness to make the audi
 ence feel like they were not at public
 place, but being entertained in private
 home. I congratulate whoever had the
 arrangements in hand. for to my mind
 the stage setting, or rather the absence
 of it, was most artistic.
 Will Birmingham turn out to hear
 Greek play? Those who were at the Tut
 wiler will answer in the affirmative, for
 the ground floor and the gallery of the
 beautiful ballroom were both filled to
 overflowing, but many were disappointed
 III Attdih6 tidl CNCH stdHuliiS IOCtil was
 at premium. I saw John Sparrow on
 the side lines along with quite a sprink-
 ling of men; but tho only man in sight
 in the great throng of women in the
 middle of the room was Rotarian Don-
 nelly making most distinguished fig
 ure with his grey hair. Near the door
 way I marked the stalwart form of
 James Bowron. The ratio of women to
 men, however. being about s5 ito l. Just above and in the rear of the dra-
 matlc readers were a row of Birming- hams charming women. while all around
 the gallery inatrons and maids were leaning over the rail to catch every
 word; while many tiring of standing had found seats in the window castings.
 There wasn't the least sound of conver- sation, for it was a well-behaved and rapt crowd of auditors. I managed to wind my way to where I could face the audience below, as I was eager to watch the changing expressions of the hearers
 as they were moved by the stirring lines and marvellous elocution of the versatile actors.
 I know Birmingham faces better than the average man, because it's my pleas- ure and business to attend all kinds of gatherings. I know the faces at the social functions. I am familiar with the faces at the theatres. I look into the faces of the crowds at the community sings. watch the faces in the different churches, as preacher has good view point; but in all my experiences in this city, I never looked into more cultured faces than those seen while the sad story of Alcestis was unfolded on Thurs day afternoon.
 Charles Ram Kennedy, when I first glimpsed him from the door, reminded me most forcibly of my good friend, Judge~ Henry E. Foster of Tuscaloosa As neither of the gentlemen are likely to meet I risk the statement. I. however. mean it as a compliment to both of them. Now, when I first saw Edith wynne Matthison, had not read any of the stories about her in the paper, for had been busy during the past week in trying to forget that there was any such things as newspapers and publicity cam paigns; but when she sat there before me and I heard her deep-t toned, yet flexible voice. thcre was something in manner and look which suggested Ellen Terry.
 l, have just this moment glanced over some reading notices which Mrs. John Hornady was kind enough to put on my desk during my>absence. and find that Edith Wynn Matthison, as Sir Henry Irving's leading lady, her fPortia to his Shylock was notable achievement. It carried me back to my first visit to { London when lad I had seen Ellen I Terry in her marvellous interpretation lof the part: and it seemed both strange | and pleasant that here in Birmingham ! more than % years after, was hearing another charming woman who had made a great hit in the same part and in the same theatre.
 | Say what you please, there is something | in the well-born English men and women which shows unmistakable class. There I is breeding of centuries which flowers i into manners which cannot be cultivated 1 in day. Like Ellen Terry, Edith 1 Wynne Matthison was born in Shakes peare's own country of Warwickshire; while Charles Ram Kennedy was born |