New Britain herald., 1926-09-21
ROBESON GREAT IN
 HIS NEWEST DRAMA
Negro Actor at Parsons TheateT
 in "BlaCk Boy"
(By Herald Reviewer.)
 CAST OF CHARACTERS

Black Boy ...........:.... Paul Robeson Irene .......... Fredericka Washington Square Deal" ...... Harry D. Southard "Mauer'' ............ Charles Henderson "Whitey" .,...........,. Edward Gargan Shrimp" Fuller Mell!sh, Jr Eddie" .........,...., Andrew Molony " Yellow ......-.'..... Percy NerWayen "Squint ,.........,....,. Robert Collyer Radio Announcer-Major J. Andrew White Standing out markedly from Q group of actors who, for the great CT part, are of ordinary mold, Paul Robeson distinguished him self in the premiere performance of Black Boy" at Parsons thea ter, Hartford, last night He was magnificent in every gesture, every word. and the brilliance of his work was sufficient to offset what ever other weaknesses there were in the cast.
 Robeson has had an eventful career in which his talent in many fields has been universally recog- nized. As member of Rutgers college football eleven and of an all-American team he won laurels on the gridiron. But where are the stars of yesteryear? one might ask. True 1t is that athletic stars have a way of disappearing from the field of the strongest telescope, But not Robeson. To prove that he could gain prowess in other lines of endeavor, he pursued his studies and earned renown as an orator. i Even this did not satisfy his ap- petite for learning and he later ap- pea7ed as a successful candidate for admission to the bar of New York state. Then the star to which ! he had hitched his wagon sped to- ward the stage and landed him in the title role of Emperor Jones' | Whereas, previously, hundreds could have told who Paul Robeson was, now thousands acclaimed him,
 The foregoing is written for the benefit of those who are not | familiar with the history of this I stage, a credit to the Negro race.
 So now back to "Black Boy" It is the story of the anabasis of a wandering 'nigger' whose muscles and might impress the manager of a stable" of fighters. Eventually he becomes heavyweight champion of the world. But success, like I strong wine. goes to his head. He becomes careless in his training methods, dissipates the fortune he
 has earned and, in the end, is
 double-crossed by those in whom
 he has the right to expect un- swerving loyalty.
 Rohesons acting is flawless. Tn of the champion, drunk with glory
 vanity and whiskey as he contem- l plates crushing the challenger is vivid and fascinating. In sharp contrast is his appearance after the l fight, beaten. crushed, disillusioned, just as vividly and tascinatingly l portrayed.
 Robcson is ably supported by Miss Fredcricka Washington as a | bit of fotsam cast up in his rcti- nue by the storms of life, ereu- turo of unkind circumstance. Full Ter Mellish, Jr, also appears to good advantage as Shrimp" the only hanger on in the crowd of sychophants and leeches who has a bit. of decency about him.
 Jim Fully and Frank Dazey. the authors, have introduced the at mosphere of realism into the play. Perhaps it is too real. The plot would not be weakened by the elimination of a large part of the profanity. In this respect Black Boy" at times stoops to the depths of Glory Hallelujah,' which play cd at Parsons theater last season and expired with no mourners aft CT vainly attempting to attract cash customers for one week in New York city.
 Fully and Dazey score a ten strike with the use of radio. While Black Boy" and his opponent are fighting for the championship of the world, the fight is projected