The San Francisco call., 1904-08-09
COMEDY COMES
FROM LONDON
Joseph Entangled," Played
for First Time in America,
Is Masterpiece of Humor
AN ADMIRABLE CAST
Henry Miller and Hilda
SpOng Fit Excellently Into
Clever Piece at Columbia

A Miller performance at its most, a
Jones play at Henry Arthur's best, is
the record Of last nights production of
Joseph Entangled," favored us by
Charles Frohman for its American pre-
miere- Here at least was no case OF
trying II on the dog''-not that Mr..
Miller has ever been given to testing
the local squeal But the plays sue
cess seemed a f0regone conclusion.
cannot imagine even Mr.. Stockwel.
who refused a Texas Steer at
$1,000, being pessimistic about the en-
tangled Joseph. And, though this is
by no means saying everything, the
comedy is one OF the current triumphs
Of the London season. Last night at
the Columbia the verdict was enthu-
siastically indorsed by the most grudg
ing sort OF local premiere faster. If
Mr.. FrOhman viii take our word for il
granted the cast that he gave US in
Uhe play last night-he Will have the
car Of New York with Joseph En-
tangled" for as long as he wants il
next season.
Ii is delightful to find Henry Miller
again where Henry Miller should be. IN
q part that fits him TO a birthmark and
q the stage manager par excellence
ance teniDts one TO daily with its per-
feet detail. Lack Of space alone pre-
vents a dithyrambic orgy on this, from
the Regent street toast rack TO the
doors that shut Perhaps 10 say that
every member OF the cast-a large one
IS as real as these is 10 say only the
truthful most Of them.
All and what brilliant material the
dramatist has given 10 themi The motif
of he MA fc he a-,1fA 50
OF your best friend 10 believe the
worst AS they say at the Central-of
yOu-the SNOWFALL growth of scandal.
The motif has been tragically used be-
fore by Echegaray. you remember. in
-'El Gran Galeoto." Jones hghtens il.
and in a play admirably logical. un-
hackneyed and invariably entertain
ing tells the story of the innocent Jo-
seph condemned by jury of his best
friends.
True. as one of Joseph's friends says,
he would not trust his grandmother
with Joe Lacy" It happens, however,
that IN the particular instance Joseph
is innocent AS Joseph, Mr. Miller has
one Of his most grateful opportunities
He IS all that the part demands-the
suaVe man of the world, the chiValrOus
lover Of the lady. the most eminently
be- -badge-ed friend. One rolls the scene
to his disbelieving chums. including an
uncle who has made lit his duty for
years 10 speak nothing but the whole
truth" his in truth 1shily sounding
story Ii is throughout 10 say a whole
hearted thank YOU 10 actor and stage
manager.
Miss Hnda Spong has the part of the
involved lady. She returns here as
beautiful as one gratefully remembers
her. and with a notable gain in viva
city. One feels a slight, hard strain
Of newness in the work, but the ner-
vousness Of A first night may we'll an
swer for that.
Her Lady Verona is otherwise a
charmingly sufficient conception. and
picturesquely luscious. The rest Of the
cast is ''notOriously" adequate, as Mrs.
Knapman would say. Perhaps the Pro-
fessor T0feld Of Walter Allen. with its
delicious Ibsen makeup and sledge-
hammer realism. springs first TO the
pen. This seems unfair again TO the
admirable injured husband of John
Glendenning. a capital sympathetic
and excellently dignified portrait Then
there is Stanley Dark's Pyecroft. nota-
bic again. J. Hartley Manners excel
lence itself as Gerald Fanmere. Freder-
ick Tiden's clever Lavender, Miss Bus
ley's pert mischief as Mrs. Lavender.
Bertram Harrison and Maggie Fisher
as Mr. and Mrs knapman-but there
is TO fear Of your missing them Play
and players are Of the battering ram
order Of success.
BLANCHE PARTINGTON.