"THE STOLEN INVENTION."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1737, 30 April 1913, Page 4

"THE STOLEN INVENTION."

STAGED BY "BLUE BIRDLINGS." » It is not often given to one to see a full-blown six-act melodrama written by a 11-year-old girl, anil acted entirely by a company of girleens of varying ages, yet .this experience was vouchsafed tho members of "The Blue .Bird" Company 'and a few of their friends at the Opera House vesterday afternoon. Tho offering was a play written by little Eileen Hayes (who is Cold-in-the-Ilead in the Palace of Night scene in "Tho Blue Bird") entitled "The Stolen Invention," and acted by lier clever juvenile associates in that piay. AV'hilst it would be unreasonable to expect anything in the nature of finished play-writing from ono so young, it certainly may be said that the germ of tlio melodramatic idea at least is displayed in Miss Hayes's effort. In "A Stolen Invention" a craftsman could without a great deal of alteration turn it into a playable play. The faults were easy to discern—'tis always, so—lack of comedy, and love interests, and in technical construction. On the other hand the plot was not all bad, and tho emotional element was not lacking. It is clever Jim Carden, who is the author of tho invention, a young hard-working mechanic who is 'the sqlo support of his two sisters and small brother. Just as lio is tuned up to expect great things, his invention is stolen by ti person in -red stockings named Carl Ricliile, a partner in the firm by whom Jim is employed, and who has in his employ an uwful villain in tho malignant person of Black Patch I'eter. Jim stoutly Jays claim to the invention, -but tho senior partner, Jlr. Harmon, will not believe liiiu, and when certain tools in connection with the invention (which is not specified) are found, poor Jim is arrested, tried, and sent to prison for a whole week. Mcanvrliilo Ills sister Hetty puts up a brave fight against poverty and persecution, until at length,, with the aid of littlo Bob, she gets Black Patch Peter in a tight, corner, and at the revolver's lhouth extorts a confession from him of his complicity in tho scheme to ruin them all, and so proves Richile's guilt and lier brother's innocence. There are interwoven

in this simple slory love between tho Harmon and Carden families which servo lo knit the plot together. The youugslera thoroughly enjoyed tho divergence from Maeterlinck, ami considering tho ago of the performers, which ranged from seven-to fifteen, did very well indeed. It disclosed in Miss Cecil Bradley, who played the hero, a remarkably sincere, intelligent, and buoyant actress, who, despite the ineongronsness in appearance of many of the girl-boy players conveyed an earnest note that reached well across the footlights. The authoress, Eileen Hayes, appeared successfully as Hetty Carden, to which character she imparted motherly sympathy when not ivorrying'-about the production. Maggie Richardson affected a fine nonchalanco common to melodramatic vil-

lains as Carl Ricliile. and Ruby AYebb burlesqued Black Patch Peter quite shockingly. Little Bob Carden was notably well played by Veta Cannon, and tiny A r it,a Flanagan limped convincingly a3 Dot Garden. Floppy Mrs. Brown was plaj'ed by Marjorio Haines, who could hardly "sneak for laughing at herself. Kitty Colman appeared as Stan Harmon, and Meta Breakwell was excellent as Phyllis Harmon. There were twg scenes in each act, and each lasted about five minutes. For the remainder of the time

the golden nlush curtain and iir. Raivlings's excellent orchestra occupied the attention of those present. At the conclusion of every act and after the performauco the "Blue Birdlings" were heartily applauded.