The Washington times., 1902-05-13

hoOeit WALTON. .-.--.-......... Harris L. Forbes
The performance OF George H. Broad
hurst's successful farce comedy. "why
Smith Left Home" Is deserving OF better
patronage than was given the play at the
Columbia Theater last evening. SILL
there was fair sized audience present.
and it made UP in enthusiasm what 1t
lacked In numbers. Indeed, there was
scarcely moment Of the three acts that
the spectators were not enjoying a laugh
The author of why Smith Left Home,
is pleased to describe the play as r.,r1ee-
full plentitude." The descriptica Is prob
ably about as apt one as. .Mr. Broad
hurst could have selected Tor It is sure
~ fuii OF gleeful sup.>st has been seen in
washington seDettal times before. and has
away been popular. Last night was the
drst time the comedy has been presented
by stock company in Washington, AMI
the performance was quite up to the high
standard that the Harry Corson Clarke
company has set in its other productions,
Like Other Broadhurst Pieces.
Mr.. Broadhurst's comedy is very SINH
lar in treatment to bis other plays, 1t
is Q f.fce pure and simple. and it has
probably more involved plot than most
plays of the sort.
The story concerns the trials of a young
married couple who have sought to vary
the usual order of things by spending
their honeymoon in their own home, in
stead of taking tour, thinking thereby
to secure quiet yet enjoyable bit OF
married bliss. Instead. they are visited
by numerous relatives. and to add q their
troubles their cook becomes unruly and
attempts to run the house according to
her own ideas. In order to escape all OF
the difficulties that beset them, the
young couple are glad to leave home.
why Smith Left Home" has an un-
usually large number Of good character
sketches, which have been drawn with
deft hand. There Is not a single part in
the play that Is superfluous. and the ac-
ton is fast and funny all the time. II
gives the members of Mr. Clarke's COM
pany better opportunities to appear to
advantage than have their previous
plays, and In every instance the players
meet the requirements successfully.
The versatility exhibited by the mem
bors Of the company Is somewhat re-
markable. This is notably the case with
Mr.. Clarke. Mr.. Hockey. and Miss Helen
Ware. These players were seen last night
in roles so different from those they have
assumed heretofore that the spectators
could hardly realize the change,
Star Plays "Cook Lady"
Mr.. Clarke threw aside for the time
the natural garb of man, and assumed the
role Of the ''cook-lady." the secretary of
the "Cook-Ladles' Union" This Is the
character played by Annie Yeamans in
the original production OF the comedy
As In all Of his other roles, Mr.. Clarke
fully met the requirements of the part.
He made an irresistibly funny cook and
kept the audience in a roar all the time
he was on the stage. Mr.. Clarke seems
to know always what he wishes to ex-
press, and the best way to express 1t with
the least expenditure Of energy. He dis
plays a very good brogue. and his make
up is one OF the best that he has ever
showed here.
Helen Ware, who played Mrs Smith, as
t6nished the Columbia patrons by her act
ing Of tie role, and her decidedly como
ly appearance. In What Happened to
Jones'" Miss Ware took the character OF
the Swedish servant girl, and did y re-
markably we'll. Last night sne represent
cd the trusting and owing young mar
ried womaD. g part SO different that 1t
was qupe a surprise to her audience to
see how cleverly she handled it.
Company Well Cast.
Henry Hockey. the gay old boy Of the
other Broadhurst farce, appears as the
French general who is hen-pecked by his
wife, but who at the same time OCCASION
ally lapses into the ways of his youth. |
Mr.. Hockey's dialect was uncommonly |
good, and his acting equal to his past
efforts
Lottie Alter appears as the 'touchingly |
clever" lady's maid. who causes all the |
mischief. She is delightfully."- dainty and |
slyly demure, and makes one of the hits |
of the performance.
All Of the other parts are in good hands, |
Mr.. Earle Ryder, who was seen here |
earlier In the season in "Eben Holden"
assumed the character of Mr.. Smith very |
we'll.
Last night inaugurated the scale OF sum-
mer prices. SO and 20 cents. that Will |
prevail during the engagement of the |