Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-17
LOCAL PLAYERS
ENTERTAIN AT
LITTLE THEATER
'AndrOcLeS and the Lion by
Bernard ShdL0 Makes Hit
With Patrons.

candy" and his friend, the lion, tied
tation Of Bernard Shaw's famous satire,
"Androcles and the Lion" in the Masonic
Temple last evening. Rona Talcott as
Androcles gave one of the most finished
characterize tons that has ever been
given by the local Thespians. AS the
timOrous tender hearted tailor he kept his
audience in a constant chuckling condi-
tion. aided and abetted by the ludicrous
Hon whose gestures and facial express
sion could scarcely have been bettereG.
Ralph +. Thompson claimed the lions
share Of the entertainment The play
is rather oneman act for in spite of
the exceedingly large cast there is lit
tie opportunity for any others than the
two Of the title roles
Mr. Talcot did not for one moment
forget his part his performance showed
that he had not only studied his charac-
ter but that he knows Shaw, and it was
Shaw's own AndrocIes that upheld the
honor of the tailors by courageously fac
ing the lion whose meal he was to he.
The plot of the play is familiar to most
folk being the story OF the shrinking
escape persecution. being a Christian in
cidentalIy happens upon lion with a
thorn in its paw. Having an oyerwhelm
ing love for animals, and sight of the
suffering lion makes him forget his fear
Of the beast. and he extricated the
thorn to the effusiye joy and relief Of
the forest monarch, which incident forms
prolog The scenes that follow show
the Coliseum with the Christians assem-
bled for martyrdom. The women are to
be eaten by the lions and the men are
to fight the Roman gladiatOrs. They
can gain their freedom only by worship
ing the Roman gods They refuse to do
50. Neither will they fight the gladiators,
or even don armor. Ferrovius' fighting
blood however, gets the best OF him and
he makes mince meat of the lot. There
upon the emperor declares his conviction
that If Christians can fight so well all
his gladiators must become Christians.
lie even invites the Christians into seats
reserved for his personal friends. The
menagcrie keeper, however. reminds him
that the people have been promised q
spectacle He dooms Audrocles to be
eaten. Androcles enters the arena and
the very lion comes forth. roaring, to de
YOUR him when To- the beast gets good
look at Andy" and halls him as a long
lost savior for tbs none other than the
selfsame Hon of the thorn. After hi
larious change Of high signs the lion
embraces Androcles and the two leave
the arena arm in arm, to ,he open
mouthcd wonder Of the mob and the
emperor.
Laviuia. the only feminine role Of any
prominence was taken by Mrs Elizabeth
Bogert Schodeld. who gave a very pleas
ing portrayal Of the spirited feminine
Christian martyr Magaera, the wife OF
Androcles who appear in the prolog,
was played by Mrs. Eunice Jameson
Pierce IN dashing fashion.
Ferrovius the gigantic Christian whose
methods OF getting converts to Christian
ity are decidedly drastic. was splendidly
played by l.. IL Murchie. whose powerful
build added to the effectiveness Of his
clever acting.
Ralph O. D'Albert as the gallant cap
tain, I'm love with Lavinia, Walter Lieher
as the Centurion. Larry Fletcher as the
emperor together with all the members
of the cast gave splendid support.
As curtain raiser a small comedy
"The Constant Lover" was given In
splcey style by Miss Hndergardc Elan
ner rs the girl Evelyn Rivers. and Jack
Harding as the youth. Cecil Harhurton.
who were delightful in their roles Of
frivolous youthfulness.