New Britain herald., 1926-02-23
OTIS SKINNER IN
 HIS NEWEST R0LE
''Captain Fury," at Parsons Coloriul Caribbean Romance
(Ry Horald Rov'ewsr1


 Forty.nine years ago youth fired with the ambition to go on the stage appeared in the character of "Jim" i. In play titled "Woodleigh" at a i. Philadelphia thcater Someone in quired who the new actor was and . was told his namc was Otis Skinner of Cambridge. Mass After nearly half century Otis skinner is still appearing before the American pub lie, matured in years and mcllowcd but still tho master. In Captain Fury" he began a three days en- gagement at Parsons theater, Hart lord, last night.
 When the stripling first stepped upon that stage at Philadelphia, the theater was different than what it is today Stars have come and stars have burned themselves out sinCr that night in 1877 but Otis Skinner continues 10 be q celebrity, In the ; intervening years he has been one of the really great of the ,hoater world, His life has parallcled tho : lives of Lawrence Barrett, Edwin 1 Booth and Augustin Daly, as well as 1 other stalWarts Of the drama. Now, at tho age of 6S, Mir. Skinner retains q large personal following who de- light in his characteristic of TO- mantle roles, in which hc blends humor spirit and sentiment. Youth ful students of the drama could not do better than to worship for a per formonce at this shrine of wisdom built through years Of toll and tidcl- ity to high ideals.
 Tn Captain Fury" Nr. skinner has an opportunity to express his individuality to the fullest. The story concerns a tavern kccrcr who exchanges his inn for a pirate shir and sails away to the West Indies ir search of a long lost daughter, talk ing with him her former sweetheart AS the plaintive tavern host, as tho mild hammered huccancer, whr makes the pirates wash oCcasionall, and, In the end, as the father. MT Skinner is the high priest Of roman tic comedy.
 The character of Michael. wh loves the runaway girl, Is taken h Warren Sterling. His work woul
 be improved If he injected more C
 the dashing hero into it. His III
 ticulation In the opening Of Inc pla y was not distinct. Minna Gorh" } gave very fine portrayal of "Tf -- Dark Angel Of St, Barfs " Charles Henderson lent plenty { C color to the first act ns sWasl
 buckling buccancor. He was one
 the best characters in the whole cay
 Katherine Givenv was also luol choice for the role of Dona Iilas NJ Vega. Others in th2 cast were wa l ter Genr, William II. Barwald, Mo
 tague Rutherford and Elaine 1vir
 The background Of the personr 10 was furnished by q motley crew
 cutthroat pirates and West lndi
 natives. all of whom ran true
 form.
 The play Is staged hy niCha tL 1JOlt'|IdWNkN, It'l''IlllN ol Illt ''N''N te Art theatnr. II is elaborate iii det it's and realism, the third and foul es acts particularly being worthy ,i- special mention.
 ar Miss Cornela Otis Skinner, ;" d. collahorAted with Mary Kennedy -d, writing the play. and Mrs. Skim ti- sat tn the audience with Russ ,ol Jannoy, the producnr As fl was ng premiere Miss Skinner was bus
 engaged taking notes. There v he several slow spots which can ho i ly- proved upon. As a suggestion fr re- q layman, may we ask what hNs ITS come of the parrot which is co Try monly associated with all Dir lrn stories7
 art The audience. large for Nonc ri- night. including many admirers CT Mir. Skinner who apnlandcd T.
 generously. giving him as many - five curtain calls after the sec ~> and third acts.
 The matinee will lo offered W
 nesday.
 q n | IT.