1932

Selena Royle was the leading woman and Roger Pryor the leading man. G. Bradford Ashworth returned to handle the scenic end of the productions. The director for the season was again John Hayden.

Selena Royle, a favorite New York actress, was heartily welcomed by Denver audiences upon her return to Elitch after successful performances in the 1930 season.

Among the plays presented were H. M. Harwood.’s English comedy The Man in Possession, Philip Barry’s The Animal Kingdom, John Van Druten’s There’s Always Juliet, Berm W Levy’s The Devil Passes and Floyd Dell. and Thomas Mitchell’s Cloudy With Showers.

The Man in Possession was described as a “broad English comedy served in American fashion.” The story centers on an old English custom in which a sheriff’s officer, otherwise known as “the man in possession,” is placed as an occupant of the home or apartment of any party or parties unable to pay their debts. The “man in possession” is to stay on the debtor’s premises until the debt is paid in full.

When the debtor is a pretty young woman and the officer, a handsome young man (and an incorrigible optimist), some amusing situations are certain to arise.

With Selena Royle as the pretty debtor, it’s equally certain that the sheriff’s officer can’t be expected to merely stand around until the creditors are satisfied.

[Borrillo, T. A. (2012). Denver’s historic Elitch Theatre: A nostalgic journey (a history of its times). Colorado. p. 1969]