"THE MARRIAGE CLAUSE."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18901, 17 January 1927, Page X

"THE MARRIAGE CLAUSE."

A DRAMA TO THINK ABOUT. LIBERTY THEATRE, TO-DAY. Perhaps th%re is nofsubject Tinder the sunmore discussed, both verbally and in print, than matrimony, or, to delve deeper, than marriage. Without getting embroiled in fundamentals, one can but state that the reason is simple and obvious, a reason that bogan in the Garden of Eden and has continued down to thi3 year of grace. It is but banal to dub marriage dramatic, but it is; it is equally so to say 1 that ono can extract a vast amount of humour out of it, but one can; it is brutal and unkind to aver that marriage, after a few months, sheds it 8 garments of romance, and assumes the prosaic garb of reality, but it does. Tho average man shies clear of drama, the averago woman embraces it, but that is not to say that the average man shies clear .of matrimony. Yet there are some, who; desirous of. avoiding its eternal paradoxes, still cling to romance, and when that is eo events of moinentojg interest occur. Such a situation is, to be perfectly candid, found mote frequently between the pages of the dramatist's manuscript than between the pages of Life, but in the hands of competent artists, skilful authors, and sympathetic direotors, a wonderfully convincing play can bo evolved from the theme. Such a play is "The Marriage Clause," the Universal production, - which hue been secured for presentation at the Liberty Theatre this. week, and if the Universal Corporation never made another film, they would be remembered for "The Marriage Clause" just as long as the Industry survived. In this age of competition, of strife, of the theory of the survival of the,fittest carried into all arenas, the plot of this picture might not be encountered very frequently, but a generation back it was a dramatic commonplace, in J which shattered romance and broken dreams were the predominant factors. It is a bold, sincere, effectivo story, essentially serious drama, to which is imparted'the balance of light and delicate humour, tho colour of romance, the always attractive combination of tragedy and triumph struggling for the honours. It is a story of the theatre, the lives (of a company of artists being traced .with a ruthless hand, lives'that flow new serenely, now turbulently, a theatrical play which is vivid and descriptive with all the glamour of the 'footlights, and all tho stark realism of backstage. Playing the loading role i 8 Miee Billie Dovo, who has deserted the mediocre roles so long offered her in the past, and blossomed forth as a dramatic actress with a distinctive flair for the emotional. She is both strong and artistic, and is an active factor in the success of the picture. She Is supported by an excellent cast; in which Warner Uland, in a typical roje, is, porhaps/ the most notable. The- complement of the programmo is "Kamshackle House," a Master picture, starring Betty Compson. For ingenious mystery, sensational thrills, and pleasant human interest, this picture stands well to the forefront, and the aoting, of Miss Compson, which is always of a high order, is, in this Floridan romance, polished and dramatic to a degree. John Davidson, who came to the front in "Monsieur Beaucaire, plays an imnprtant part with commendable finish. Tho Liberty Conoert Orchestra, under Mr Ernest Jainicson, will play a special musical programme, including the following numbers:—Overture, "Light Cavalry (Von Suppe), Symphony No. 1 (Schumann) * antaeie" (Meyerbeer), selection, Sullivan s Operas" (Clutsam), suite, "Belsazar ( (bibclius), entr'acte, "The Prisoners Song (Massev), "Indian Suite" (Dvorak); son? Hits. "Ukelcle Lnllabv," "Save \our Sorrow "Ninetts Ninon," "Pearl of Malabar- The -box plans are now open at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved,