New Britain herald., 1922-04-25
LOUIS MANN GIVES GREAT EXHIBITION
In "Friendly Enemies" at Lyceunl
 His Work Is Superb
(By Herald Rcyicwer)

Louis Mann, famous character actor and star of Friendly Enemies" during It's two years run on Broad .
 way, and seven months run In Chica-
 go, appears in true form at the Ly-
 ceum, where hc is starring in this play this week. The first nighters who witnessed the performance last evening were delighted with Mir. Mann's work and the Herald reviewer can recommend to the theater going public Mr. Mann in this play. Re- gardless Of various opinions as to the ability Of certain members of the company, Mir Mann stands out as such a'shining example of real actor that to watch him is a real evening" s entertainment.
 ''Friendly Enemies is distinctly a war play. but peace times have not
 robbed the theme of it's worth. It deals with Karl Prefer and Henry Block, German boys who came to this country as mere youngsters. Block became q 100 per cent. American, but Pfeifer retained his love for the Fatherand. When war breaks out Pfeifer is strongly pro-German, while Block is as strongly anti German. Their friendly arguments on the war furnish plenty of wholesome comedy. Pfeifer's son enlists in the American army and the transport on which he sails is blown up by German propa- gandsts in this country, to whose fund Pfeifer has contributed literally.
 It is when he believes his own son hot nf ways, becomes a 100 per cent. Ameri- can, exposes the head of the German secret service and in the end after his son has returned safely. he and his wife are seen studying the words
 of America.
 Theater goers who want to see character acting supreme should not fail to see Mir. Mann as Karl Pfeifer. His German accent, his mannerisms.
 his facial expressions, intonations and
 gestures are superb and all express the finished actor. Not single op-
 portunity does Mr. Mann miss, and in not single instance does he over-act
 his part. His interpretation of this
 role is as wonderful piece of acting as can be seen on the American stage
 
 the price of admission.
 Hardly less deserving of praise this week is nm Starling, who plays opposite Mir. Mann, IS Henry Block As the Alnericanized German, Mr. Starling gives a compelling interpre- tation of a difficult role and adds to the success of the production. as does Bertha Fiebach. who has the char acter lead as Mrs. Pfeifer. Her work is excellent, her accent as a German woman perfect and her emotions, as the wife of a proGerman and the mother of 100 per cent American boy, are well portrayed These three characters are capable of putting this play across in an excellent manner, and tonight and the rest of the week finished performance is assured.
 James Cormican as William Pfeifer son of the pro-German, has excellent opportunities to do some real acting, but his old fault is again evident Last night he had not entirely learned his part and had to be prompted many times. In the third act MT. Cormi- cans part would be enhanced too, with a little more attention to realism. His transport has been sunk at sea, but he has been saved and he rushes home to his grief stricken father and His home coming is effec tive, or would be if he did not appear to have just come from his tailor rather than from a shipwreck. Some mud on his shoes, his clothing torn and awry, his cuffs disarranged at least, would convey the right idea. Instead, the only indication that he has been through any narrowing eX- perience is the fact that his hair is mussed. ReXford Kendrick takes the part of Walter Stuart, chief of the German spies. His work is