New Britain herald., 1930-10-21

Cast of Characters)
 Norma Besant ........... Isabel Jewell Jimmie Besant ...,....... David Clarke Dr. Besant ................ Seth Arnold Stanley Wentworth ... Franklin George Betty Lee Reynolds Helen Penney MT. Wentworth ............ Forrest Orr Julia ........... Edna Archer Crawford Michael Jeffrey ......... John Breedeu Joe Reynolds ......... Jack Maclennan Ethel Thompkins ......... Doris Dalton
 (By Herald Reviewer)
 The tangled web woven by decep- tion enmeshes the Besants and their friends in the three-act play, "Co- quette," presented by the New York Players in the Capitol theater this week. In the presentation the com- pany demonstrates that it is capable of handling stark tragedy as well as comedy.
 Havoc rules when Doctor Besant, a Virginian gentleman of the old school, applies the standards of the age of chivalry to a present day love affair Seth Arnold, who in last weeks play was allotted a mi nor role, gives a convincing DOT trayal of father whose love for his child disables him from thinking that she may share the weaknesses that flesh is heir to. Isabel Jewell. as the daughter, did difficult job exceptionally we'll when she fitted about the stage-a care-free flirt for part of the play and then turned her role into that of woman marked by tragedy for it's own.
 So as not to spoil the plot for those who are unfamiliar with it the entire story must not be told. Nor ma Besant, petted daughter Of the doctor, has reached a crucial stage in her life when 8 mother would have been most useful adjunct but the father alone remains to rule the destinies of his family. With the best intentions he proceeds to wreck forever what little happiness might have been attained by them. Cast ing aside Stanley Wentworth (Franklin George) who has been a childhood sweetheart, Norma be- comes infatuated with Michael Jeff rey (John Breeden) who lacks the deeper qualities as well as the pol ish of a gentleman. A street brawl in which Norma's name features, de- cides the doctor to forbid Norma to see Michael. The boy, who has been at the best shiftless, tells Nor ma he will go away and make a man of himself and then return to claim her.
 Exile becoming uncomfortable Mi chael returns and sees Norma at a dance. They leave the country club and Norma does not return home until four o'clock the next morn ing. The same day Michael calls at the Besant house and tells Norma {; 1 father that he has decided to marry her. He tells the doctor that mar riage would be the easiest solution of their problem. The father, en- ragged. asks Norma to verify the truth of Michaers statement and Norma lies-telling her father that there is no foundation to MichaeTs claim. The doctor then takes the law into his own hands. procures q revolver and starts out of the house after Michael.
 What happens later provides Miss Jewell with ample opportunity to display her talent in tragic roles and she does so admirably.
 Jimmie Besant, brother of Norma (David Clarke), Joe Reynolds, (Jack Maclennan), and Betty Lee Reynolds (Helen Tenney) provide the com edy which relieves the tenseness of the plot. Forrest Orr as Mir. Went worth, lawyer and father of Stan ley, has but little to do but his act ing is given the same expert hand ling that he demonstrated in the previous production by the players. Julia, a negro maid (Edna Archer Crawford) and Ethel Thompkins, (Doris Dalton) play minor roles.