The Washington times., 1907-01-27
At the Theaters.
Columbia-KyTle Bellew and Fanny
Ward in "A Marriage Of Reason"


washington is TO have really i'm
portant first night" when Kyrle Bel
lew comes 90 the Columbia Theater
Monday night for the urban premiere
OF a Marriage Of Reason" the new
play by J. Hartley Manners. in which
this polished and cosmopolitan star
hopes 20 make the success Of his re-
maFkable career
a Marriage OF Reason" is "A human
document upon the much discussed sub
ject OF international marriage. The
dramatist takes up the loveless union
Of an English earl and a wonderful
Chicago heiress, and makes the wife win
the respect and al last the love OF her
noble husband. Tie aim has been 10
portray the finest 'Fpe OF Euglishmau,
and the best type Of American girl, and
10 show how their marriage must al
most Inevitably result IN the further
refinement and development Of each.
To Kyrle BelIew falls the role Of the
earl. which suits him down TO the
ground. He has ample room for all his
elegance OF artistry; his hnesse OF man
uer; his suaVity, his urbanity, and gen
ersI refinement The earl. when We
first meet him. is bankrupt. slightly
frost-biIten about the temples. and en-
gagged at GOodWoOd race course ia bet
ting the last remnants OF his fortune.
I'm order 10 win himself out Of bank
rIptcy. He loses. and there within
sound OF gallouiug hOOfs. proposes TO
Miss Rita Forrest. OF Chicago, who ac-
cepts him on the frank understanding
that she is trading papa dollars for
his title and Delcombe Abby. II is 20 be.
they agree, a marriage Of reason.
Rita Forrest as the Countess OF Del
combe is very energetic young person.
and her Chicago hustle conflicts anus
ingly with British stolidity. Earl Del
combe has divorced his first wife and
retained his son. Tony. who falls in love
with his new mother right away. All
kinds OF problems face the American
girl in England. including British Gus
tom and her Yankee tWang; the di-
vorced wife. and another married
woman who is I'm love with Earl Del
combe. The situations are said 20 be
decidedly original, and 10 give the play
ers unusual opportunity Tor strong
dramatic work To Miss Fannie Ward.
fresh from London triumphs, falls the
role OF Rita Forrest She Is a beau
tiful. clever. natural American girl, Sc
Iected by the playwright himself as en-
bodying his ideal of the finest American
girl abroad. OF course what begins as a
marriage OF reason ends as a love
match.
To Miss Julia Dean has been intrusted
the role OF lhe British beauty, who
seeks 10 rival the American countess in
the affections OF her noble husband. A
remarkable group of players viii be seen
at the premiere. including in addition 10
those already named. Frederic de Belle
Vile. Conway Tearl. J. X, Adams. Mas
ter Richard story, Miss Margaret Fuller
and Miss Maud Ream Slower.
The play Is said TO be exquisitely
dressed and superbly set. The four acts
are laid in and around DelcOmbe Abbey.
which is said TO really be the country
seat Of a British duke who also has an
American wife. Miss Ward has the
rights of "A Marriage of Reason" for
London. and will ultimately star in that
city IN the role of Rita Forrest The
Author, j. Hartley Manners. will be
present at the premiere. Thursday and
Saturday maunees viii be given.