The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-06
MONTGOMERY THEATRE.
"A Friend of the Family" is Fun
 nv Farce.

"A Friend of the Family is correctly advertised as Ia furiously funny :. farce: and 1t is consequently most worthy en- tertainment.
 The company which produced the farce at the Montgomery Theatre yesterday most evenly balanced farce comedy organizations ever seen here and this, or course, heightened the attractiveness or the comedy.
 tion from the German, its chief motive according to all foreign comedy tradition: beng mistaken identity. The story is or Esmond Miller, a wealthy American mer- chant, who while in Tokio marries an actress, Nancy Moves and dies leaving two daughters and a sister in America, who have never seen the young actress widow. Bartley Swift, an American i'm porter residing temporarily in Tokio, had, previous to Mrs. Miller's marriage, known her and had professed an undying affec- tion for her. but tilted her. and return ing to America had married Esmond Mill ler's daughter Blanche, an exceedingly romantic and jealous young woman. The happiness was undisturbed until Mrs. Miller, becoming anxious to obtain set- clement with the executors of her hus- bands estate, determines to come to America and press her claim. About the same time Bartley Swift engages a governess for his young sister-in-law named Nancy Morgan. On her arri| al, Mrs. Miller wires the family of MT. Swift that she will arrive at their home at a certain hour, and signs her initials E. M." the same, unfortunately, as those of the governess She arrives and being mistaken for the governess, accept Tor the moment the mistake as Joke, untll Swift's arrival, when she determines to keep up the deception as a punishment for his desertion of her in Japan. Swift. knowing the jealousy of his wife and her romantic ideas regarding first loves and marriages, is in an agony of terror, which is increased tenfold by the arrival of the ne shelter Mrs. Miller in his home, and fran tically endeavors to keep her out of sight of his family. much to her astonishment and discontinue. In addition to ms troubles, he is narrowed by ttre-eating Frenchman, who. having been attached to the French embassy in Japan. has followed Mrs. Miller to America to press his suit and who is violently jealous ot Swift and the reproaches of his friend Cutting, who has in the meantime fallen in love with the pseudo go.verness. The irascible and suspicious aunt of Mrs. Swift intenslfies the complications The love affair of Professor Manners and this aunt is an interesting sidehght.
 The action of the play takes place with in two days at the villa of Bartley Swift played by George Barnum, who is breezy, natural and effective actor.
 The other principal role, that of Nancy Moves, was played by Alice Johnson, a handsome woman who wore some gorge ous gowns. The cleverness of Miss John son was apparent whenever she was on the stage. The funny lines were spoken by her with Vivacity and effectiveness that helped along the Illusion:
 The two capable principals dld not over shadow the other members of the excel lent company. Indeed such was not m numerous character" roles and they fell in good hands in this instance.
 The Professor Manners of Barry Max well was eccentric and never overdone; He was trained in the Hoyt school, and whatever he does is faithful and satis- factory.
 MT. La Croix might subdue his excitable Frenchman in love, Count Brlssac. An sort of person. However. this is a farce and MT. La Croix made it funny, notwith- standing his dialect was at times impos- sible.
 One got the impression that Mir. Huhn did a better piece of work than he him self realized. If he Is not new in the cast he acted like it. Ho was playing the awkward. slangy, but we'll bred boy in love. He seemed i'll at ease all of the time. Perhaps this is tribute to his art.
 MT Magnus made an engaging Cutting, the real friend of the family, the young man who listened to all of the woes.
 The women of the company were well parts satisfactorily. Especially good was the French maid of Miss Lucille Villiers
 The company played the piece fast ' It might be relished more if there was not ever apparent studied efort to ''gin- gerize" the entertainment.
 Considering the fact that the play and the players were strangers to Montgom- cry the business was good at both per- formances.
 "A Friend of the Family" will be re- membered with pleasure.
 "A Hot Old Time" comes te>the theatre Thursday night