Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-25

take it that it will not be improper
for this department to review the stock
season of Gregory Kelly ana Ruth Gordon
at Englishs although the season has one
Amore week to run.
For the past month or two, Indianapo-
lis has had the unique and pleasing ex-
perience of supporting two stock COM
panies-the Gregory Kelly company at
English's and the Stuart Walker Play
ers at the Murat.
The success of Mr.. Kelly to establish
an opposition company to the established
company of Mr. Stuart Walker has proven
one beautiful fact-that two stock com
panies can exist in indianapolis during
the summer time.
We know what artistic values to ex-
peet from Mr. Walker and we awaited
with much interest to see Mr.. Kelly
develop and exhibit his ideas in stock
productions. His bills on the whole were
wisely selected and well cast with
possible one exception.
Mr.. Kelly opened his first stock season
at English's on Monday. April IL, with
Booth Tarkington's Clarence" Mr.. Kelly
In his production of this comedy APP
peared in the role Of Clarence instead of
the Bobby Wheeler role, which he played
with the Chicago company. Miss Cor
don played the role. of Cora Wheeler as
she did in the Chicago company. Byron
Beasley was again seen as Mr.. Wheeler.
which he played in the Chicago com
/ pany.
Other plays were presented in this
order THE Little Minister" Seven Keys
! to Baldpate," 1.-The Tailor Made Man, 3"
Scrambled Wives" Happiness" Turn
to the Right" Adam and Eva" "A
I rn-s.- Wy ~ II a .aYrff
and the balcony scene from Romeo and
Juliet" and the current bill, THE Hot
/ tentot" The final bill will be Just
I Suppose"
These plays show that Mr.. Kelly Is
not only an ambitious producer. but that
he knows a good show when he sees It.
Mr.. Kelly and Ruth Gordon played the
chief roles in all productions and such
a task is a big test on ones ability TO
change from widely different characteri-
cations te another. The manner In which
these two players accomplished this
easily demonstrates the versatility Of Mr..
I Kelly and his wife Mr.. Kelly is not
physically ideal for some roles, but his
/ sound knowledge Of the acting game
/ triumphed over mere physical obstacles.
! In the work OF Miss Gordon we saw the
| greatest advancement. Never in my eI-
perience have l seen an actress wipe out
so easily the impression that she could
/ play only one kind Of a role-that OF the
flapper type. She has placed herself
( In the ranks of the most loved players
who have appeared on the local stage.
/ l viii select the following -four best
Characterization of Miss Gordon AS Cora
Wheeler in Clarence" as Lady Babbie
in 1.-THE Little Minister" as Lucille
Smith in Scrambled Wives and az
Jenny in Happiness" especially in
phase the first and phase the second.
In my judgment, Mr.. Kellys four best
characterizations are as follows As
Mugs In Turn to the Right" as Adam
Smith in "Adam and Eva" as Charles
Martin in "a Prince There Was" and as
Billy Bartlett in Fair and Warmer"
The big triumph Of Angela Ogden was
as Mrs. Wray in Happiness" Her work
in each production can be praised be
cause Of the truthfulness of characterize
ton. Here is a real artist end a gen.
uine asset to the Kelly Company. The
same can be said of the careful and
polished work of Mr.. Byron Beasley.
Mr.. Kelly has made numerous changes
in lis company al the season progressed
The arrival Of Wallis CLARK several weeks
ago proved that Mr.. Kelly was out tC
obtain the very best for his company.
Personally / feel that Mr.. Kelly has
every reason to be proud of his record al
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