The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-08
SMILN' THROUGH
 SCORES TRIUMPH
Jefferson Players Hit Real Stride In Superb
 Work Monday Night
At last ; the Master! . Aye. and the Queen! And tho pIori

Before an audience which packed the Jefferson theatre. Monday night for hesopening of "Smilin' Through John Glynn McFarlane and Kathleen Comegys scored their first real stage triumph of their present run in Bir- nlingham with the All-Star Jefferson Players
 The Alarm Clock was fine; the 'Demi-virgin'' was fairly good. But superlatiyes are meaningless in de- scribing "Smilin' Through" To say it was superb. the work of masters in the histrionic art. wonderful. of touch of genius magnificent or imbued with a spirit of immortality is to re- count just so many words.
 "Smilin' Through" is not like other plays. There is touch about it which breathes of the elemental factors of humanity. It is hard to. describe: to review. Explanations are dull /; praise meaningless bauble.
 The story of "Smiln' Through" is too well known to the average theatre goer to need recounting here. Seasons ago 1t made its first appearance in New York. Night after night passed and yet "Smiliu' Through continued to play to capacity houses Then the play was produced on the silver screen. and through it Norma Talmadge scored one of the greatest successes of her whole career.
 But the real story is as old as man. kind. It is the wonderful portrayal of love; as old as the ages. as young as the spring. It is the old, old story, yet ever new.
 And through this stoy. the two pre- n1ier players of the company were able to display a depth of ability. gold mine of talent, not yet disclosed ill the two plays presented so far by this troupe.
 John Glynn McFarlane for the first time played himself into the hearts of his audience His part in the 'Demi- Virgin" was incongrous. He was the actor of real dramatic ability cast ill the part of the fool. as it were; the court jester. He was the lion raging in cage; ever storming to show what he really could do.
 The opportunity to fully display his talent was presented McFarlane by "Smilin' Through" As John Carteret, > the lovable but stubborn old English man, he was inimical. He was an old fool, but he was so jovial, so tender hearted. and so blindly loyal that none could hold grudge against him be- cause of his blindness. A depth of dra- matic ability, of reserve power and of unused force not seen in the work of many actors was almost uncOnsci0usly disclosed by McFarlane: He opened springs of laughter almost rippling like the low voice of playful waters. And into the eyes of many, John Glynn Me Farlane backed by the able work of his associates placed the fresh dew of teardrop. Into the lowest depth of many hearts there was awakened note Of sorrow. tinge of melancholy, wave of despondency by the admirable work Z of this master of the stage.
 : But net to McFarlane goes all the redit for the great success of ''Smilin'
 Through" Little Miss Kathleen iomegys, at times demure, almost shy, &t times coquettish and always loveable, 'Akdmirable and inimical, also scored the first real triumph of her run this sea son here.
 Fillmore started out as the premier light comedian of the company, and he has never lost that lead. Miss Ray produced a surprise Monday night in