New Britain herald., 1926-12-14
YAGAB0ND KING IS
 PARSONS TRIUMPH
Old France Lives Again in
 ColOrful Musical Spectacle
(By Herald Reviewer) lCnst a{ CharncteIsl

NNhst VI
 Rene De Montigny ........ Paul keast tasln Cholet ........... carlton Neville Margot ............... Catherine Hayes Blanche ............... Merle stevens lsabeau .....'...'.'..... Lona Muriilo Jehan Le Loup ....... Marius Rogati Trois Echelles .......... Joseph Miller Huguette Du Hamel ..... Jane Carroll Guy Tabarte ......... William PhflbrtclS Colin De Cayeu ...... William Bailey Tristan LHermite II. II. McCullum LOUIS hlth .............. Max flsman Francois Villon ....... Edward Nell. Jr. Katherine De Vauceiles Carolyn Thomson Captain of Scotch Archers .........
 ..................... Charles Carver Dancers in Tavern Scene ..........
 ...... Lucille Constant. Joseph Miller An Astrologer ......... Carlton Neville Lady Mary ............. Merle Stevens Noel Le Jolys ...... Herbert Delmore Oliver Le Dain ........... John Thorn First Court Lady ......... Marion Alta Second Court Lady .... Beatrice Marsh Toison DOT, Burgundian Herald ....
 ............,......... Phillip Ryder The Queen .......... Thelma Cornielle The Dancer ,........... Helen Grenelle Tho Bishop .......... Arthur P. Hoyt The Hangman ........ Wllllam Johnso,l First Courier ......... Elmer Barlab Master Of the Hunt Edward Sheldon Dame De Chase .. Florence De Barde
 "The Vagabond King" Russell Janney's musical production based on Justin Huntly McCarthy's If Were King" is delightfully."- given at Parsons theater. Hartford, this week after a New York triumph which stamped it as one of the most successful Broadway offerings of recent years.
 when Louis NI occupied the throne. is there with it's tatterdemalioIi populace. it's conspirators, it's love stories and it's clashes at arms. What was once q book. is made into a liv ing chapter in history, its charac- ters swaggering or stealing soft of foot across the stage as they did on the stage of life when the sires of France held tenuous sway.
 Two musical numbers prcdomi nate throughout the recital of the story. The Song of tho Nagabond' thunders and reverbcrates, stirring the pulse and quickening the senses, ! q parallel 10 the "Marseillaise." The haunting "Only a Rose" expressing delicate and beautiful sentiment, is i the counterbalancc.
 "The Vagabond King" Is one of those evenings entertainments which you will tell your grandchil- dren about
 The role of Francois Villon, the King of the Fagabonds," who as- pires to rise from the gutter to the heart of Katherine DeNaucclles, is portrayed by Edward Nell, Jr., im- pressively. The lovely Katherine is played by Carolyn Thomson in a notable manner. Max Figman is triumphant as Louis N1, bringing to the character dclineation which stamps him as one of the most skill full actors Of the day. The comedy is ably handled by William Phil brick, who introduces a touch of humor just when the play begins to grow heavy. Others whose work stands out include Jane Carroll, II. II. McCullum, Bryan Lycan, John Thorn and Merle Stevens. Helen Grenelle, as the court dancer, wins warm applause for her splendid spe- cialties.
 The setting and scenic effects, the work of James Reynolds, reflect the touch of this master Of color. The music is by Rudolph Triml, the book and lyrics by W. H. Post and Brian Hooker and the staging by Max Figman and Richard Boleslaw- sky. The dance numbers are by Helen Grenelle and Roy Cutter. Anton Heindl leads a large orches- tra which contributes to the delight of the play.
 "The Vagabond King" will re- main at Parsons for the rest of the week with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday.