Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-10
DEAR me- BEST or KIND
ACADEMY HAS OFFERED
For Sunshine, Stimulus and
Surprises, Comedy Rated
Among Leaders.
MISS LA RUE sconns ru,uMrn
Audience Remains seated Until After
Fall OF Final Curtain Ia Hear Stnr
SinE-Hns Admirable support in
Ealc Hamilton.
by John George Harris.

by John George Harris.
Grace La Rue succeeded in ac-
complishirg the Impossible last
night at the ACADEMY. \ Richmond
audience remained seated after the
fall of the final curtain OF the comedy
Dear Mc," to hear Miss la Rue sing
t'rhe Little Grey Home in the West
In her own inimitahlo way. Ii this
Is not the best kind OF testimonial
for this charming actress and her
play, then what can he said AS
my friend Erucc remarked. Dear
Nc" IS "thc best play We nave hal
on the academy stage. This in
thusiaslc opinion Was Endorsed last
night by II most discriminating au-
Iience.
For sunshine. stimulus ana sur
pr;ses. this John Golden comedy must
he placed among the leaders. For
refreshing entertainment, FOR klcan
kcmedy, and for no cud of laughter.
it left its audience In the finest OF
spirits. UnrcStraincd mcrrimcnt
seemed to I've tho order OF ;hc eve
ming. and chuckles and guffaws were
heard on all sides. This pleasant
comedy carries the stimulus with the
laugh, probably the best comment
which can he made upon any play.
Ends Where II Higgins.
The play ends, in u way, where il
begins, since the guests about the
table in the closing act arc the same
ones who are disclosed in similar
positions ut the opening scene in
tho Amos Prentice Home Tor ArtiS-
tic and Other Failures. With IL ar
ference that, during Tn. action of
tic play. each has found himself and
t,.- a.
Che advice of Doctor April" who is
rome other than Miss La Ru" In
fact, the chief surprise of the play
lies III the announcements thn'
oelcvie the most brow beaten Of til"
boardcrs. has. among his other sue
cesses. married ;he tcrmaGant board
ing house keeper. Mrs. Carney
Crume.
Miss La Rue. ana her amabic co-star
Hale Hamilton, have found q play
which gives them the finest kind o:
vehicle for their especial ahiiiti's
Miss La kuc. in tile cheerful role OF
April Blair, brings to the character
u vast amount OF personal attractive
ness. combined with Il charming
lightncss of mood. while her singing,
which IL frequently interpoiatcd
through the action. is OF the most
has q most agreeable soprano voice
and has been provided with a num-
Der OF songs well suited to her or
these, her Dear Me" song leads. The
audience was vastly amused by the
various letters which April writes
10 herself. opening with Dear Me"
and closing with the Inevitable =. :.
These letters furnish much of tho
rrovocation to laughter. an element
in which the play abounds.
Lends Admirable support.
Hale Hamilton. persoEable in ap-
penrance ana remarkably finished
in his acting. gives Miss La Hwc
splendid support. They are real CO.
stars and the action is about fifty
fifty between them. NS Edgar Craig,
playwright ana man of wealth. who
hides his identity from April until
the last. posing meanwhile as n fail
IRE like the rest OF the boarders at
tho Prentice home. AIR. Hamilton has
an interesting role. out OF which he
gets the very best.
Luis Albcrni. who. IL ] mistake not
was the Italian tenor in Twin Beds"
on It's last appearance here. made "A
decided hit in his role of joseph
Renard, the violinist and composer.
Mr.. Aibcrni Is a clever connection and
shared WIN Miss La Rue and Mr..
Hamilton the major part OF the ac-
ton. Who will ever forget him and
Ills umbrella In Twin BcdS?' There
viii be those who viii not soon forget
Kim in Dear Me"
Others in the cast were George
Price. George spclv'ti.. Mar; Kelsey
James G. Morton, MaX F'rlcl;. Robcr,
Lowe. who made much OF his role
OF Nanny Beam" Charles I.c Fcrc
Baker Moore, inimitahlc as DUDLEY
Quail" Eiva Nelson ana William
Conway. very capable and ready
nccompanist. III this connection. AIR
Albern! gave Very convincing imi.
tation of real pianist, In his auasl.
accompaniments for Miss La Ru. in
the studio scene
Dear Mo" is 4 splendid play from
beginning 10 cnd. Acadcmy patrons
VIII rest secure In the kro,yI,dre
tiat they are seeing one OF tho hos,
plays OF the year. ana on. I'm which
there can hardly he any disappojnt-
ment' Richmond has become SOM.
wat skertical Of it's visiting plays
pu' IL need have no fear of Dear
Nc" u Is great.