The Washington herald., 1906-12-22
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.?
Nat Goodwin fin New Comedy at
the Columbia.

When Nat Goodwin isn't funny his
audience isn't happy, even If he is. be-
cause they seem 20 have a suspicion he
isn't natural. although he may be entire
~ So Anyway they expect him 10 be
funny and not melodramauc or mopy.
Now. il happens that IN the comedy which
Alr. Goodwin pun on az the Columbia last
night. What Would q Gentleman Do?'
the author, Mr.. Gilbert DayIe. hasn't al
lowed the actor as much chance to be
funny as he probably and the audience
certainly could wish. and hence the per-
Torrance was a little slow for Goodwin
affair. Moreover. the audience at the
start was beset with misgivings that the
story Of What Would a Gentleman Do2"
was going 20 get hopelessly mixed up
with the stories OF several other plays
they were familiar with. such as Brother
officers" and John Hudson's Wife" 70
90 no farther Mr.. Dayle worked along
the lines OF this brand Of play with dis
turbing closeness at the outset, but con-
siderably swerved of later with varla-
tons that impaired a pleasing illustration
Of novelty. But he didn't utilize the fun
ence would have liked TO see them util-
lied. However, the star made up by his
by-play and happy injections Of timely
slang for the oversight OF the author,
and succeeded in keeping his audience in
a good humor while he was on the
scene. and in pleasant expectancy when
he was not So the evening went off very
satisfactorily, there was a reasonable
amount Of hearty laughter. Mr. Goodwin
received several curtain calls, and at the
wind-up all were glad that he got the
girl Of his choice. even II he had done
things that no gentleman with a particle
Of common sense In his head would ever
have done. The story tells Of an English
man of the humber class, who makes 4
big fortune in Australia, and on his re-
turn ONE somehow gets tangled UP with
impoverished aristocrats, who kindly con
sent to associate with him for a consid-
GRAFTON. Naturally, he falls in love with
the beautiful and high-minded daughter
of the house who is already in love with
a young aristocrat stu absent In Au-
tralia. But she consents to marry
Dickie Hook, impersonsted by Mr.. Good
win, because Of the considerations re-
ferred TO, which she wots of by accident
Immediately home comes her old lover.
DicNie finds out the truth, gives up the
girl and even prOclaims himself guilty
OF d scOundrelly act really committed by
the old lover in order that the happiness
Of the beautiful and high-minded maiden
may not be Withered. Then the naughty
old lover sets things straight by Tossing
up. the girl turns him adrift and goes
lack to Dickie for keeps. even If he does
drops his his" and carry a copy Of THE
Complete Gentleman" in his pocket Miss
Edna Goodrich as the girl was very
pretty and fetching in the lighter scenes,
but sparing OF emotion in the others
Nellie Mortyn. as Agatha, gave a bluff
and breezy performance that added ma
terially to the lkableness OF the play.
and Suzette Jackson, as Dolly, was very
Jolly and captivating. Neil O'Brien put
a good deal Of fun into the part Of the
old servant on easy terms with the fam
lily What Would a Gentleman Do?"
viii be repeated at the matinee to-day
and again tonight.