"THE CINDERELLA MAN"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 285, 21 August 1918, Page 9

"THE CINDERELLA MAN"

A MODERN FAIRY TALE "The Cinderella Man," n comedy in four acts, by Edward Childs Carpenter. Cast Morris I'. Caner Oharlei Urowu Dr. Joseph Thayer Frank Harcourt lllodgett Jiert Earton Albert iSewcll Frank Hatherley U. Homiicy JSvans J!oy Redgrave Marjorie (Jauer Kathleno MacDonell Celeste Audrey Worth Walter Kicholls Kenneth Uraniptoii Anthony (iuintard Charles Waldron Jerry Primrose J. I'lumpton Wilson The Great She-Bear Lnuna Temple Though tlio Grand Opera House was filled Inst evening, one could not help feeiiug a littlo sorry for tlio many who could not bo present to witness "The Cinderella Man," played by the Williamson Company. "The Cinderella Man" is the old fairy tale dono up in a modern binding, with a male Cinderella and a very fascinating Princess of the charming sex, but; the glamour of romance, so old yet always tiew, lights up the ancient narrative like silver lamps on a distant shrine—a shrine, indeed, in which oue may renew one's youth in tile happiest of 'atmospheres. In Mr. Carpenter is recognised a playwright of pretty fancy and a delicate sense of dramatic values, and onto more Miss Kathleno MacDonell and Mr. Charles Waldron aro to be commended for their very admirable performances in the loading roles. "Tho Cinderella Man" is the undiscovered genius, who, with a sublime faith in his pen, battles with fate in an elevated garret in New York. Anthony Quintard has good friends, but a mountain of pride prevents him irom accepting their assistance, so he starves artistically in the Siberian department. _of tlio great She Bear's respectable lodging-house. Ono of his staunchest friends is D. Eomney Evans, affluent and genial, who happens to tell tho alisurdly wealthy Marjorie Caner that tho impoverished writer of song words which havo been brought under her notice is no other than the hungry Quintard, and actually points out the window of His 'dingy apartment across thfc snow-covered roofs _ irom her palatial dweling. Marljorie is more lhau interested in tho unknown, and resolves to assist him. Leaving his abhorrciico of wealthy young ladies, she decides on a strategical advance, and, as a prelude, seeks an opportunity of acting tiie fairy godmother by loading his deplenished larder with good things whilst ho is out drawing his last three dollars from a bank that cannot be bothered with his meagre account any longer. After a deliriously j humourous scene, tlio 6lim Princess is discovered bv tho hungry poet, and at length confesses that she is not a princess at all, but merely her companion. In tlyit role she becomes very helpful and dear to ljuintard, and the trans-roof visits are a source of much happiness to both. Marjorie types the manuscript of Quintavd's libretto, which is to compete for a 10,000 dollar prize, offers, playfully, valuable suggestions, and generally makes the way plain i'or his success. That is achieved in a pretty way, and Quintard, who in tlio end discovers that bis "Miss Madge" is really tho fabulously rich Miss Caner finds that love is even greater than ricnes, accepts both, and they live forever happy afterwards. The charm of the story is in the telling and the acting, and to appreciate both the play has to bo seen. Miss MacDonell sheds a glowing radiance on every scene. Her sweet femininity and sprightly acting, in which there'is, even in iier merriest moments, a note of sadness, made her a very loving and lovable fairy godmother. Mr. Waldron had a part that fitted him perfectly. Ho was the perfect, if modern, soul of chivalry, just giving those touches of comedy so essential lo the humanity of tho role. There was only one other lady in tho cast, but the two little scenes ill 'which she (Miss Emma Temple) appeared as the "Great She-Bear," the gorgonesque sloven who runs the boardinghouse, were vivid. Her sordid spirit simply leapt at once across tho footlights. Mr. Charles Brown, as Marjorie's irascible, rheumaticky father, was admirable. He was tho gilded HeDear of the story to the lite, and in make-up bore a curiously faithful likeness fo a certain judicial luminary. Mr. ltoy Redgrave was genial and affable as 1). liomney Evans, a believer ill a romance for everyone. As Jerry Primrose, the She-bear's shaky factotum. Mr. J. Plunipton Wilson presented a very com- - plete study, and as tho bounder, Walter Kicholls, Mr. Kenneth Brampton i gave a telling little sketch. Mr. Frank Hatherley was Albert Sewoll (tho composer), and Mr. Frank Harcourt figured as Dr. Thayer. The comedy was capi- , tally mounted and staged. This evening the company will make ! its final appearance in "Daddy Longlegs," with Miss MacDonell as Judy aud Mr. Waldron in the title role.