South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-10-17
M ay Robson is
Artist Supreme
in L attest Play
Star of Many Seasons Scores
One More Triumph in
Mothers Millions"

II you are limited 70 one visit 70
the theater during the present sea-
son. and wish that visit 10 leave a
memory of wonderful acting. q
strong emotion. OF a most appealing
plot go tonight TO see May Robson
in Mothers MIlionA"
Possibly, just possibly. there may
be plays as good later in the season.
but you may be sure that there will
be none better.
This is lot a prophecy but q mere
statement OF the verdict OF the
audience which saw the opening per-
Torrance at the Oliver last evening.
an audience that roared with laugh
ter at the caustic Outbursts OF cyni-
cisms, at the keen shafts of criti-
cisns and then permitted the tears
20 come unchecked SIS the rough and
hardened attitude was shown as the
mask OF a most kindly and a most
hungry heart which longed only for
love Of her children.
May Robson. If you oare 20 BE-
come historical. has been upon the
stage since 1884, which grants her
an experience OF 50 years. II you
are curious for further details OF her
life, recall that she was born IN
Australia and had been through
finishing schools in France when she
came TO this country back in 1879.
And then know that never in her
long career OF success after success
upon two continents has she ever
had a play which offered her a
greater triumph than the present
one.
Her art Is seemingly ageless and
the character she portrRys furn-
isles the opportunity Tor that dis
play Of varied emotion which has
given her her own particular place
in the theatrical world.
Depicts Woman Ffnancior
Harriet Breen is but a thin dis
guise for the late Hetty Green. the
worlds richest woman. and she
would not resent the picture which
is drawn OF her as she battles with
the greatest OF hnanciers and bested
them at their own game OF dollar
getting
The opening scene presents the
picture OF a woman who seemingly
cares only for dollars and whose
mind is intent upon the gathering
Of a great fortune. a misery. greedy
woman, who never wastes and never
spends, who colby thrustS out her
own son when he exhibits signs OF
extravaganza and who holds her
daughter to hard labor with no
pleasures and no time for frfvolities
Through the three acts OF fnan-
cial intrigue OF bold speculation and
Of plot, she carries this harsh and
austere exterior, 10 the happy end
ing, when she reveals that all her
struggle has been to save her
children from wantOn habits and 20
At them for real love and an ap-
probation OF the fact that dollars
do not mean happiness.
To one person IN the audience
Monday night. the applause Of the
audience which called Miss Robson
to the curtain for repeated encores,
meant much Howard McKent
Barnes. the author OF the play.
came from Chicago to see It for the
first time since he sent the manu-
script 70 Miss Robson IN its COM
plete form. That applause meant
much 10 him for Il told him unmis-
takably that he had achieved a
real success and had written his
name securely among the successful
writer's for the stage.
Author Modest
The play was. OF course. written
for Miss Robson" says Mr. Barnes
The manner IN which she presents
it Is undoubtedly the largest factor
IN the kind reception which is given
it."
Which is modest ~ course. and
not altogether true. II IS the happy
combination Of actress and play that
made il a success. The mixture OF
comedy. meIodrama and romance 5 .
so cleverly blended that II brings the
final distiliatlon Of all praise. smiles
and laughter 30 mingled AZ 70 reach T.
the whole range OF emotion.
The supporting company hardly I
matters. for Il IS Miss Robson who
holds the center Of the stage and
who commands # with her perfect
control Of the audience
The play VIII be presented again 4
this evening. Those who miss this