New Britain herald., 1925-05-05
POLL PLAYERS IN
 OPENING OFFERING
Present "Ihe Best People" as
 Debut for 1925
tBy Herald noylcwcrl

The Best People" a high speed furco comedy by David Gray and Avery Ilopwood, rushed the Poll Players through the opening night of the 1925 stock season and back into the hearts of their many friends ut the Palace theater In Hartford last night.
 It Is doubtful that a more appro- priste piece could have been selected as an opener for long season. Each part gave ample opportunity for the actor or actresses 10 show what he or she can do from almost slapstick comedy to deep. deep drama,
 The play has an old plot rcdrcssod tastctulIy and clcyerIy. It involves Marion LcnoX Clean OHycr) and Henry Arthr HowardJ, principally but toward the latter part of the piece, Alice O'Ncil (Clairr Noltc) and Brrtie LenoX (Jos"ph WagstaiO divide hOnors with the principals, Marion and Bcrtie are wealthy chill drcn of wealthy parents They are typical Ot the present generation, fin that they know more, oh, a great deal more than their parents ever have. Marion falls in love with Henry the chauffeur, and Bcrtie takes up with Alice, q chorus girl. The efforts of the parents of Marion and Bortic to interfere and the un- expected climax makes the comedy one of inc best the Poi Players have done.
 Miss Oliver, the now leading lady, possesses many Of the CharaCterig- ics of Miss Winifrcd St. ClaUc, last }'ar's leading lady. She is small, lively and at homo in her part. As fIapper daughter, her character izatlon couil not have been improv- cd upon. She made big hit last night and there is no doubt that she will cntrcnCh herself in the hearts of theatcr-gocrs, just as Miss St. Claire did for two seasons. Another newcomer to the company is Walter Scott Weeks, who played the part of Bronson LenoX, father of Marion and Bertie. His place in the com pany is that of second man or "h"ayy," but his interpretation of the artistocratic type in "The Best People" gave him a chance to get himself loved before he is hated in coming plays as the villain
 Joseph Wagstaff has improved since last season. He gave a con- Nincng impression Of the hcadstrong son and there was real effect de rived from his denial of the family in the third scene of the second act and in the third act Edmund Abbey, the grand old man of the company, needs no explanation. As the old uncle. always in hot water he was a character worthy of note. Frances Williams as MIie. Allcc's friend of the ensemble, had one of the parts for which she is noted, the cracking, uncducatcd woman who always gets there. Screams Of ''' 'tt'l''I SlENN''l ll'l 'lA pl lS ldSI night. Others in the company, whose "fforts are to he praised We're Edna Earl Andrews, an old favorito. as Mrs. L"noX: Jay Ray, as Bullock, a servant; Billy Lynn, as Lord Rock mere, an English nohloman; Maud Blair, as Miss Tate, Lonoxs stono- graphcr and aunt of Alice, who has her own views on marriage; and F. Giles Young as Leo. a waiter.
 Sustained applause greeted the company last night and the roars of laughter at the various funny sit nations in the piece. attostcd 10 its i success as presented by the Poli , Players. A novel idea of introduc- ing each player was offered last eve- ming, hut there's no noed Of giving 1t away.
 David Bolasco's rrcat succoss "Kjki" will hn offered next week Meanwhile, "Tho Best People," will have a run Of all this week.
 Did you ever try tolcphonirg a