The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-04-09
BY Walter ID. Hickman

II
amusement. George Bernard
G Shaw convinces himself that
a married woman, after years of
welded life, may embrace romance
without becoming a LADY of the eve
ming.
He does this job in smart and ring
ing style in Candida" one of his
earlier comedy-satires of what is and
what isn't.
The Shaw prescription probably
will not be a success all the time
because the woman must be a very
wise and wonderful woman. She
must have a sense of hr.nor when
her lily white hands cleans the lamps
or when she peels oniorls.
Moonlight. poetry and mental Tits
and the conceit of her husband were
few Of the things that Candida had
to play with. Husband in this case
was one of the Great Lam Ministers
of the gospel who. retains socialism
In religion because the sweet medi-
cine resulted in applause, praise and
a battle.
The Rev. Mr.. James Mavor Morell
was the master of his house because
his wife made him the master. But
the poor old conceited thing couldn't
see 1t until a boy poet, just IS. sud
denly came into the life OF the fam
lily.
The poet saw Mrs. Morell. known
as Candida. as an angel. OF course.
the dear husband couldn't be eX-
pected to see his wife as being an
angel. especially when he was a
minister. / blame that impression
of mine upon Shaw.
Candida gives the naughty boy
poet the "air'' after her husband
sees her true value. Candida is
solid and wise. Moonlight and
poetry about angels doesn't throw
her into the gutter.
She isn't mad after puppy love.
because she is a mother and a wife.
She knows the true value OF love
and devotion although her preach
ing husband is blind.
That Is That
That is about all there is to this
little mental excursion of Shaw. 1t
is smart. rapid and tantalizing fun
with two great scenes-when the
boy poet reaches the pearly gates
before a fireplace and when Candida
receives bids for her companionship
from the poet and her husband.
Here is gorgeous dramatic fun.
Here is the smart. cruel, crafty and
funny Shaw-the big Shaw.
CANDIDA" is interesting at this
time, because it is now one of the
leading sensations on Broadway 1t
was presented last night at the Ma
sonic Temple by the Little Theatre
Society.
Shaw Is no easy mark mentally
and his sudden witty darts and then
the sudden dramatic relief and then
a startling bit OF exquisite satire,
make him hard to produce. II is the
work Of experts and not beginners.
Great Accomplishment
Little Theatre gave performance
Of CANDIDA l believe that Shaw
would have acclaimed with delight
and sincere appreciation.
The Little Theatre in the nearly
six years I have been telling you
about shows has never appeared to
such a splendid advantage. Here
was a cast which was nearly pro
fessional ss far as the effect gained
was concerned. There was character
drawing, calm elaboration, no over
acting and smart. rapid and cunning
fun. All that is in the Shaw play
and all that was in the Little
Theatre Interpretation of the play.
Again this production proves the
real value Of the Little Theatre as
a civic movement of the utmost Inn
portance to Indianapolis.
The Little Theatre drew on its
best talent for this Shaw expert
ence. Will not speak individually of
the players but merely state that no
body in the State of Indiana could
have played II any better than this
cast.
Will give you the cast as follows:
Reverend James Mavor Morel .....
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Walther Lieber
Candida Morell ......... EVELYN Fife
Mr.. Burgess ........ Arthur J Beriault
proserpine Garnet ....... Sara Lauter
Eugene Marchbanks 49,. Murrv wick ard
To my way of thinking. the Little
Theatre has proven its worth by