New Britain herald., 1929-12-17
Theater Review ARTHUR HOPKINS
 presents SIDNEY TOWARDS
 new play
 HALF GODS' Settings by Albert F. Johnson Staged by MT. Hopkins

| 'N'' -'Vi-N444S 
 | (Cast of Characters) 1 stephen Terrier ............ Dom Cook 1 Hope Terrier ............. Mayo Methot Ada ............. Elizabeth Goodyear | Dehhls ..''.......,....... Paul Porter Ifush blgeloW ....,...... Walter Regan Judge Sturgis ......... Walter Walker 1 Helena Grey ............ Dorothy Sands | Dr. Mannering ......... Edward Reese First Policeman. Robert Bunce Williams | Second Policeman .... Philip Beveridge Paullne ....-.......... Laura Hamilton | First Porter ............. Arthur Shaw second Porter ......... Hal K. Dawson | Third Porter ..,.,... Thaddeus Clancy Dr. Wohlheim Siegfried Rumann fHst Detective .......... Arthur Shaw | Second Detective ...... Hal K. Dawson
 (By Herald Reviewer,
 Smart conversation by the smart set with dabs of psychoanalysis and a wife who thought she yearned for | freedom are found in Sidney How ards new play Half Gods" which was admirably acted for the first time last evening at Parsons the ater, Hartford. MT. Towards pro- life pen which has engraved q number of successful plays durin, the past two years or so, has seem- ingly been pointed directly at the bull s-eye again.
 | MT. Hopkins care in selecting the cast is reflected in the thorough manner in which the story is told. Despite the fact that it was the first | performance, the execution was un- marred by any of those annoying little air pockets which usually mark premieres.
 The lines of Half Gods" are loaded with electricity that snaps and crackles continually. In this respect, it is one of the smartest comedy dramas seen at Parsons in several seasons. The language could be modulated without weakening the play an iota. the dialogue in one instance at least being out of char acter.
 After being married for eight years stephen and Hope Terrier come to the parting of the ways, not for any especial reason but because they begin to tire of each others company and minor aggravating in cidents in their relations re exag- gerated to undue importance. Hope IS strong for psychoanalysis and 1 likes trick interpretations for her moods which. when analyzei through normal eyes, are no more than natural impulses. Stephen finds life boring because he is de- prived of his eight hours sleep and other creature comforts. The even- tual happens and Hope is about to 1 trek to Reno when it is discovered 1 that the children have whooping cough. This forces an alteration of all plans and before the expected crash stephen and Hope begin to act more like normal, sane persons and to see life in it's true propor- tions
 Mayo Methot and Don Cook play the leading roles convincingly and amusingly. They take full advan- tage of the authors clever lines and situations and respond with enthu- siastic artistry. Dorothy Sands is noteworthy as Hopes divorced sis ter who sees life undistorted Her work is delight.
 The unusual situation of a play being stopped by an audience ex- pressing a welcome 10 an actor cast in a minor role occurred last eve. ming when Siegfried Rumann, who will be remembered as Lieut.. Engal in "The Channel Road" made his appearance. For several minutes the progress Of Half Gods" was halted while the rafters echoed a cordial reception. Rumann, it Is understood, is filling in while a play in which he will be featured is be- | ing written
 Walter Walker has a wholesome and edifying assignment as Judge Sturgis. His character delineation IS impressive. The part gives the play certain amount of solidity.
 Half Gods' will remain at Par sons for the first of the week. Drop in for an interesting enter tainment.