New Britain herald., 1922-04-18
CORM|CAN PLAYERS
 OPEN FOR SEASON
Harry James Smiths "A Tailor.
 Made Man" Is Their Offering
(By the Herald Reviewer)


 The Cormican Players in the late Harry James Smiths "A Tailor.Made Man. opened their spring and sum mer season at the Lyceum last even- ing In a rather disappointing manner, The work Of the orchestra was good, settings were acceptable, but the settings were acceptable, but the work of several of the players, chief among whom was Mir Cormican him self in the leading role, was not &C., ceptable. In passing it might be stated that the work of Louis Mann. famous New York star of Friendly Enemies" stood out prominently last night-Mr. Mann held the script and acted as prompter It is safe to say that MT. Mann has not had to work as hard in a long time.
 The chief fault to be found with last nights performance was the fact that while a majority Of the players had their lines and did fairly well, the leading man and the male character lead seemed lost when they appeared on the stage. They didn't know their parts and the leading man was particularly at loss for words. The fact that so much prompting, the most generous minded in the audience being unable to overlook it, was necessary spoiled many chances for fine acting For instance, in the third act, MT. Cormican, as John Paul Bart. secretary to great manufacturer. was interviewing strikers delega- tion. In long, compelling speech, rich in dramatic possibilities. he out lines a plan for the solution of labor difficulties. Mir Cormican sat pas sively at his desk and read from the book of script. putting little animation into the part and stumbling miserably over many words, Rexford Ken drick as MT Huber, the character lead, also had to be prompted many times.
 Study. study and then more study is all that will improve this produc- ton. The players must learn that they must learn their parts in order to present a play well. especially the leads.
 "A Tailor Made Man" deals with a tailor's apprentice who is ambitious and, borrowing a suit of evening clothes he attends a social function where he bluffs his way into the con- fdence of a leading manufacturer, be- comes an idol of society and finally makes a place for himself in the world-all on the strength of his initial appearance and an inherent ability to make the most of oppor- | tunities.
 Lyman Starling as Dr. Gustavus Sonntag gave a good portrayal of his role and Peter, who had the comedy part was good. Edna Archer Craw- ford as Mrs. Kitty Dupuy made the most of her opportunity and Marcelle Nelken, in the ngenue's role as Corrine Stanlaw, was quite attractive and did her part effectively as did Alma Aiken in the female character cad. Raymond Moore had the part ,f Corrine Stanlaws sweetheart. Miss Frances Clark, as Tanya Huber had he leading female role. Patrick Barnett as Abram Nathan gave a convincing portrayal in the role of a ,aptain of industry, and others filled heir parts acceptably. George Campbell, a local young man. is member of the cast
 This play is presented in four tets Next week Friendly Enemies" will ,e played, with Louis Mann himself aking the part he created on Broad yay. Mir. Mann states that this company s made up of players of Henry w. 1iller's company and Louis Mann's mpany in New York and he is en- husiastic about the prospects, once he players get working together x