The New York herald., 1922-03-12
Misses Taylor and Purcell Sur
priscd by Their Quick
Success.


never happen in the theatrical
world has just occurred. Two
girls-they are in their early twenties
have written a play. sold 1t and
are having it produced by Arthur
HopSins-all in the space OF four
months. And they have another claim
TO fame: Both of them were born and
bred in New York. They are Miss
Leila Taylor. daughter of Mr.. and Mrs
Clarence w. Taylor of 251 West 103d
street. and Miss Gertrude Purcell,
whose parents are Mr.. and Mrs. C. J..
Purcell of 213 West I06th street
Their play, "Voltaire." is now in re-
hearsal and will be produced soon at
the Plymouth Theater by Arthur Hop
kins. with Arnold Daily as the star.
There is history back of every
play and the story of the inception of
"Voltaire." as recounted by the two
principals. has a naivete that is most
engaging. It begins last November
with the two youngsters dallying over
their sundaes at a soda fountain on
upper Broadway.
Gertrude" said Miss Taylor, you've
tried to write play and I've tried to
write play. but we don't seem to
get up enough steam to arrive any
where. Now, IL we worked together.
You know-sort of engineer and fire.
man. what?"
Got any ideas? Yes? Let's go!"
said Miss Purcell.
I've been thinking about voltaire."
said Miss Taylor.
"Yes?" from Gertrude. with rising
infection, intimating that. although she
had not been thinking about voltaire.
she could have thought about him IL
she had wanted to.
"vonaire was an old peach" said
Miss Taylor irreverently. He looked
like Sin, Death and Satan. some one
said. but he had way with him and
he was as witty as G. B. s. ever dared
to be-
But Is there any plot In him?"
asked Miss Purcell.
"Plof! He was alive with plots: He
plotted against the King and the Pope
and frederick the Great and the town
constable He lived to the ripe old
ago OF "a and he Matched more plots
than
Come on. them said Miss Purcell.
So they went over to Miss Tayior's
home and set to work on their
magnuin opus.
There followed six weeks at hard
labor. Then Miss Taylor went to Wash
ingtons for a little diversion and when
she came back they put the finishing
touches on "voltaire." And now
where Ito send It?
Arthur Hopkins" said Miss Purcell.
with a tinge of defiance.
"Do you think" Miss Taylor
began.
II think it's good" said Miss Purcell
as IL she meant It. So 1t was sent to
Arthur Hopkins. 1t reached his hands
on February %. Two days later-these
things do happen. sometimes-Mr. Hop
kins telephoned for them. He had read
the play. sent II at once to Arnold
LAZY; they conferred and agreed upon
1t, and were ready to begin work at
once
When the authors learned that their
play was to be produced and at once.
they passed into a state of trance from
which they have not yet emerged. 1t
doesn't seem real" they keep telling
each other But the hustle about the
Plymouth Theater. where rehearsals are
in progress. is extremely real. Robert
Edmond Jones is working on the set
tings. wig makers are in their most
professional mood. the ladies and gen.
tlcmen of voltaire's little court at
Ferney on the edge OF the Alps are
practiring the minuet. and all goes
merry as a marriage bell-wedding bells
bolng part of the plot. though OF course
they don't ring for NJ. voltaire. He has
pther compensat tions.