Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-20
He THEATER.-
New National Theater.

Caught In the RAIN" which was placed
on view at the New National Theater last
night. after a week of performances else
where, proved to be typically Collieresque
1t Is trif1e, but strong in its appeal be-
cause Of its frank triviality. It is the story
OF the young man who is afraid of girls
until he chances to meet the one girl of all,
and Of the difficulties and misunderstood
ings which beset true love when the heart
less and mereenary parsonage Of the pay
holds mortgage on the girls fathers
property. There is some high finance which
concerns mining property, but this phase OF
the plot becomes misty toward the close.
There is, however, full assurance IN Mr..
Golfers gladstone and comfortable manner
that the hero has not gotten the worst OF
the deal, and there Is no doubt whatever
that he has secured the young woman upon
whom his bashful affections were originally
set; which is the essential consideration in q
drama of this type.
The charm of Caught in the Rain con-
sists in the rapidity with which one clever
bit of foolery follows another. 1t is not
exactly epigrammatic in dialogue. There
is none of the philosophic quality essential
to eplgram in the strict sense OF the word
Yet the conversation is perpetually and
sometimes audaciousy jestful, so crisp that
1t fairly crackles. No pains are too great
FOR the sake of scoring a laugh. For In
stance In the first act when there is much
discussion of copper stocks, a policeman Is
brought into the cast for the sole purpose
of inquirfng What do, you want?" when
one of the fnanciers says "COPPER"" But
the policeman earns a laugh, and his right
to exist must therefore be conceded. There
are other incidents which bloom merrily
through the piece without having much to
do with the case.
The play presents Mr.. Collier in the style
of character which he has made his own;
the clean-cut, modern man, alert of mind.
well dressed Astounding in energy, and with
an Overwhelming sense of humor, which
keeps ripping through his most serious mo-
ments Only reckless state of nervous
agitation would excuse some of the verbal
contortfons in which Mr.. Collier INDUCES,
but he manages somehow to keep the most
fragrant puns within the legitimate atmos-
phere of the piece Without resortinS to
the grotesque in makeup or to burlesque
comedy effects he succeeds in impressing
himself as an individuality irresistibly funny
at times, but always human and whole
some. - 800
The company surrounding Mr. Collier is
one of exceptional ability. George Nash
has rather ungracious role which he does
not attempt to-soften or modify. 1t Is
pleasure to find Wallace Eddinger con-
genially cast. His comedy. in the role Of
an irresponsible youth with a penchant
for borrowing. is veritable touch OF ma
ture The women of the company are
both capable and comely. Miss Nanette
-Ccmstock endows the role Of the girl upon
whom the hero's affections center. with
vivacity and charm. Helena Collier Gar
rick is represented as stunning widow
whose pursuit of masculine society is frank
and coercive. The efforts to dodge her at
tentions are humorous. but not altogether
plausible. Miss Jane Laurel has role
Of original quality, sort of human ice
berg, who despite her passive hauteur. Is
winsome Miss Louise Drew Is, agreea5ly
in evidence as an ingenue of the more dig
nifed type. Grant Stewart. as normal
English lord. is relief from the conven-
tional travesty. and John Saville. as usual,
makes a most lovable old gentleman.
Thomas Beapregard appears in silent
role which is not especially identified with
the plot. He makes the most Of its pos
sibilities. :
The play is by no means a compact and
consistent piece of dramatic writing. 1t
depends entirely on the character delinea-
lions and on the personal magnetism Of
Mr.. Collier. But these were found album
dainty sufficient by the audience last night.