Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 281, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 April 1923 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4,1923

Modern Stage Treatment Given Old Love Tragedy

By WALTER D. HICKMAN BEAUTY can be bestowed even upon a love tragedy. Robert Browning once wrote “The Ring and the Book,” which might be called a dramatic recital of the love affair of two souls which ends in a tragic success for both. This dramatic soul poem or tragedy has been adapted for the stage by Arthur Goodrich and Rose A. Palmer as anew addition to the repertoire of Walter Hampden. Mr. Hampden chose Indianapolis, the home of Riley, as the first city to 3ee Browning’s “The Ring and the Book” under the title of “The Ring of Truth.” Last night at the Murat for the first time on any stage this play was presented. Modem stage treatment, the use of

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lights, the magnificent voice of Walter Hampden as Caponsacchi, a priest, who frees Pompilia (played by Carroll McComas) from a marriage of lust to Count Guido Franceschim (played masterfully by Ernest Rowan), the successful application of the socalled “movie flashback” upon the speaking stage, are all used to present the dramatic beauty of this soul tragedy. The problem of this play rests not in revision of the script, but upon the ability of the producer to eliminate the loss of time from shifting from one scene to another.-- The method of recital is the same as used in the movies—the flashback. The play opens in the court at the Vatican Rome, during the trial of Count Guido for the brutal murder of his wife,

Pompilia, and her father and mother. The honor of the priest, Caponsacchi, is at stake. Guido attempts to impress the court at the Vatican of his right to murder, to defend his home. Then the priest begins his dramatic recital of the life story of Pompilia. This is done by means of the flashback. When the delay between scenes is eliminated, I am sure that Mr. Hampden will have a highly dramatic soul theme for theater patrons of today. In the first place, the adapters have told a difficult story well. The story hangs together well, the long stage waits being the chief handicap at present. It was nearly midnight last night when the final curtain dropped. Theater patrons can not be expected to take their breakfast to a theater even to hear Browning or Shakespeare on the stage. Great Beauty of Theme and Acting Revealed The play Is In three acts and eleven scenes. The dramatic climax comes in the second act, last scene, where

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Guido attempts by foil means to trap his wife and the priest at an inn. It is in the third act, second scene, that the brutal triple murder is executed in the same terrific manner that Bill Sykes dispatched Nancy. In thetr play the murderer uses a sword. In the last scene, dramatic beauty Is given when Pope Innocent XII orders the death penalty for Guide when the court attempts to shield Guido under an act of mercy. The Pope then declares Pompilia, a pure, good character and so restores the faith of Caponsacchi. Hera we obtain justice for which Caponsacchi sought. Miss McComas put real life blood into the character of Pompilia, as well as great beauty. She read her lines with amazing ease for the first performance. The rich voice of Hampden lifted the play at times to dizzy heights. The real acting triumph of the evening was registered by Ernest Rowan as Count Guido Franceschini. Here is magnifleient dramatic work although the theme is a trifle too crudely dramatic during the triple

HAMPDEN AS HAMLET murder recital. Mr. Goodrich, one of the authors, was present last night. A real

dramatic story is well told. The problem is to make it come within the production time of the modern stage and I am sure that this can be done. Many Interesting Names Found in Last Night Cast The cast is full of interesting names and proves that Mr. Hampden means business. The complete original cast is as follows: Soldiers—Giotti William Stephens Andrea Charles Brokaw Melchior Cedric Welier Montini Robert Bufford Pope Innocent XII William Sauter Clerk of the Court Marcel Dill Judges—Tommati. . . .C. Norman Hammond Venturini * Le Roi Operti Sealehi .■ Allen Thomas Count Guido Franceschini.... Ernest Rowan Caponsacchi Walter Hampden Violanti Comparini Mabel Moore Pompilia Carroll McComas Pietro Comparini Edwin Cushman Abate Paul (Brother of Guido). .I*. J. Kelly Bardi Reynolds Evans Conti Joseph Latham A Girl Ruth Chorpenning The Governor of Arezzo R. L. Norton Martfharita, a servant of Guido.. Mary Hall The Franciscan Charles Emery A Boy Margaret Barns toad Landlord at Castelnuovo Marinetta Elsie Herndon Kearns

First Guard at Castelnuovo. Francis Avery Guards, Peasants. Merrymakers at Carnival, etc. Carnival dance executed by Margaret Lamstead and Le Roi Operti. “The Ring of Truth” will, I chink, be a worthy example of the lofty and sincere ideals of Mr. Hampden. * • • Other attractions on view today include: The Grand Players in “Polly With a Past” at English’s; Carl Norman at Keith’s; “Stranded” at the Palace; Mutual burlesque at the Broadway; Hampden in repertoire at the Murat; musical comedy at the Rialto; “Adam’s Rib” at the Circle; “Jazzmania” at the Ohio and “Romance Land” at Mister Smith’s. To Prevent Speculation Seeking to prevent speculation in stock the Stevenson Gear Association has filed articles of incorporation with the secretary of State, Harry J. Quigley, president, said today. Efforts will be made to pool the stock through organization of a protective association.

YOUTH, 16, LEAVES HOME Police Asked to Search for Vernon Baldwin, Missing Two Days. Miss Vonda Baldwin, 826 N. Tuxedo St., today asked police to search for her brother, Vernon Baldwin, 16, who left home April 2. She said he was with two other boys and they had planned to go to Canada, California or Vincennes. Floyd Hughett, 13, of 952 S. Delaware St., was reported missing from home. Missing From Insane Hospital James Stuckmeyer, 60, was missing today from the Central Hospital for the Insane. Police were asked to search for him. Mule In City Market? White mule as well as soft drinks was sold by Lee Wickard, 33, of 230 E. Wabash St., at his city market stand, according to charges police had against him in city court today.

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