Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-06-24
In The Land Of Make BeIieye
RI walter D, HICKMAN

ilcmpvrvd for three productions. They
are "kismet," "Smilin Through" ana
My Ladys Dress"
When I witnessed my Lady's Dress"
at the Murat this week. l heard people
place this production in the class" or
''Kismet" and "Sminn' Through" MIR.
Walker will never be forgotten In In
dianapolis as he has done many worthy
and real things on the summer stage,
but the public seems very wiling TO
heap al the glory and attention upon
these three plays. The Book OF JOB,
ia prime favorite and the public puts
that in a separate class. I might state
here that the announcement is made
that George Gaul will appear in THE
Book Of job" at the MuraC Theater on
Sunday, oct. S.
Personally, / think that the genius OF
Stuart Walker has never been better e1-
hibited than Ia My Lsdy's Dress. "
This play is interesting because Of It's
. acting and scenic opportunities. In the
first place, Mr. Walker has cast this
play most splendidly, the leads being
taken by Spring Byington and Geor ~
Gaul a large supporting cast was needed
and L was supplied. The bits were
especially wei done-the La Grisa OF
Grace Kiechle es well as her Miss Sylvia
{ a saleswOman; the Moeder Katie OF
judith Lowry; the Liza Of Mary Ellis
and the Sir Charles Of Adrich Bowker
! II is no easy task TO produce thi:
/ play as there are three complete seasons
10 each Of the three acts. The demand,
upon the two lcads-Miss Byington anc
Mr. Gaul-are gigantic. In this play
Miss Byington plays eight distinct anc
widely different parts. Mr.. Gaul /!
called upon 10 play seven parts.
| Personally, I think that Miss Byins
ton was al her best as Anne In the frs
scene OF the first act; tragically real e.
/ Nina in the second scene of tae drst act
magnidcentiy delicious as AntJe IN tht
/ drst scene Of the second act; wonder
4 fully pathetic as poor crippled Annie II
/ the second scene OF the second act sn(
! very studied and careful as the "dul
! beast" Anna, in the scene placed in 81
IBERIA. Her outourstS as Anita. mode
! In the second scene Of the final act. IS o
/ the highest dramatic type. sbre Il
/ wonderfully effective work and as far a.
| 7 am concerned, my standard Of theat
rical Judgment forces me 10 state tina
! Spring ByinSton has never been eX
/ celled by any leading woman in th'
/ Walker Company, Oh. there are MANI
/ fines ones, mind you, but 1 put her 8
! the top Of the list
| Now a few words about Mr.. Walker
! l have not agreed at all times during
I the three years that l have been tn
head Of this department with Mr.. Wal
kers selection OF plays. I found littl,
or no merit to Our Little Wife"
! gave the readers Of this department m!
frank opinion on that pile Of thestrica
| JUNK. believe that Is my duty and
/ also am convinced that q dramatic re
! porter should praise in unstintet
/ phrases a great accomplishment Oh tn,
stage.
That is Just what think Of "My La
! dy's Dress" l think it is the creates
achievement, that l have witnessed. o
Mr. Walker IN the city of Indianapolis.
| Indianapolis has supported in larg,
attendance this beautifully mounted and
acted play.
| Such productions as MY Lady
| Dress" "Kismet' and "Smilin' Through
make Mr. Walker the most artistic pro
Queer and director who asks supper
| from an American audience.