Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-25
THE CHAMPION IS CHAMP COMEDY
To Visit EnqLtsHs This Season

n Grant Mitchell and The Champion"
Htake the Championship lightweight hon
ors Of the stage.
This is not extravagant praise, but a
very conservative estimate OF the en-
tertaining value Of Mr.. Mitchell, his
company and his latest vehicle.
Mitchell and the play registered a
knockout" yesterday AT EngHsh's. The
victory was decisive. the knockout" COM
ing IN the second act. The third act
would have registered the knockout"
If anything had happened in the second.
an going 10 be very frank today.
The Champion" as being presented at
English's today and Saturday. after pleas
ing two Thanksgiving day audiences yes
terday, is play and 4 company which
axe pretty close TO perfection. Plays Of
such entertaining value-clean, funny,
logical and splendidly acted-deserve pat
ronage. 1t was ny impression yesterday
that it is about time some people stop
bowling" that We are not getting good
plays. Let them stop their yelling and
20 10 English's today and tomorrow
and support one Of the best comedies of
the year.
Yesterday. Indianapolis did not sup
port The Champion" with that degree of
attendance which the play and the conf
pany deserves. Here is a play that was
seen on Broadway for many months. II
was a success there. 1t is clean, but
highly entertaining. A play Of this
nature should play at absolute capacity
for four performances at English's if the
howlers for better stage entertainment
mean what they say regarding the desire
for better plays. 1t is about time that
this bowling" I call It insincere bowling.
cease and those who claim they want the
best TO stop writing and support the
things they claim they want. Tonight
and tomorrow will demonstrate If they
are sincere in their desire for better stage
entertainment.
7 could go into detail concerning The
Champion" but I viii state that it has 4
punch" in every act: the situations are
brilliant; the conversational encounters
are fine examples Of clever writing and
above all, The Champion" is proof that
unsuggestive and clean entertainment is
the best
The play concerns William Burroughs.
who, when 4 lad. ran away from his
very strict English home. bummed his way
70 the United States, became the cham
pfon lightweight champion Of the world
ana then, retiring, became a successful
corporation lawyer in New York City.
When the play opens Burroughs IS just
returning home after fifteen years alb
sence.
What q fine set Of prudes this Bur
roughs family IS. No wonder the Willie
ran away from home. His two elder
brothers are perfect "nothincs." They
obey every command Of their stern father.
But how sweet and wholesome IS Wllie's
mother and his little sister.
Burroughs, ST, nearly passes out Of
existence when he learns that his
"prodigar' son has been a prize fighter
In the States. He feels that the family
honor has been thrown in the ash can
For two acts, the father and the two
brothers have a terrific time in an m
successful attempt TO get Willie out Of
the house
AS soon as England learns that "Gun-
boat Smith" the lightweight campion Of
the world, is at the Burroughs home. The
real blue bloods OF society nearly break
their 2ecks to pay him respect.
HorEOrs, wha1 a surprise il is 10 old
man Burroughs and the TWO weak s7eci- /
mems CT brothers. But the champion
wins in his own home and he becomes the
lion Of the hour.
This EttIe story is acted by Grant
Mitchell and one OF the best aII-round
casts thai every stepped Q foot on any
stage. Will sum up Mr.. NitchelTs act /