The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-29
OPENING NIGHT AT THEATERS
KyrIe BeIIew and Miss Ward Well
Received in "a Marriage of Reason.

KyrIe ReIIe.v and Miss ward Well
Received in "a Marriage of Reason.
MIR Kvrle Beiiew can congratulate him
self on the reception accorded him on his
second appearance this season at the Co
mmbia Tbeater. where he was seen last
night in a new comedy OF English high
life by MIR. J. Harley Manners, entitled,
"A Marriage Of Reason" He was given
a cordial welcome by a large audience,
and Miss Fannie Ward, an American
actress who has for many years lived in
England. shared with him the honoTs and
the generous applause
There were many curtain calls after the
second and third acts, with frequent EVIL
dences between curtains that play and
players were entertaining, and in the emo
tional scenes moving the audience as
deeply as might be looked for in a piece
classed as a comedy AS already known
TO readers of The Herald. "A Marriage
of Reason is a new variant on the prob
lem of international alliances between
rich American girls and foreign noblemen
with wiltcd wallets, Mr. Manners pres
entation of the problem works out 10 q
happy conclusion through scenes sugges-
tive Of several other recent plays, in
which a match begun as matter OF con-
venience ends by the wife learning TO
love her husband. and vice versa.
Unfortunately. Mr.. Manners mas seen
fl 10 complcate his story With a subplot
quite out of key. that hampers its de-
yelopment and weakens its denouement.
The English nobleman who marries the
rich Chicago girl is Lord DelcOmbe,
played by Mr.. Beuew. Miss Ward Is the
heiress, Rita Forrest, later Lady Del
eombe. The interest Of the play is greatly
helped by the character OF Tony, his
ordship's young son by a former mar
riaee. for the international alliance has
been preceded by divorce. Tony is
capitally played by Master Richard
Storey. a sturdy little chap who acts with
delightful naturalness and wins the
hearts Of the audience to such a degree
that he desorvedly shared the honOrs of
the curtain call at the end OF the second
act. thereby seriously breaking IN on the
Illusion About an accident 10 the boy
the heart interest Of the piece largely
centers. and through it the loveiess AR
rangemeut' between the impecunious
peer and the American girl is changed
from a marriage Of reason 20 one ~
affection. To the injured boys bedside
the playwright takes the liberty Of bring
ing the divorced wife o. Lord Decombe.
thereby creating q situation difficult 10
accept. and which only the careful
handling Of Mr. Beilcw, Miss Ward, and
Miss Julia Dean, who appeared as the
divorce, saved from being decidedly
OutTe-
The subpIot Of Capt EllisOns suspi-
cions OF his wife and Lord DelcOmbe
presents another aspect Of Mr.. Manners
plav very difficult 20 accept without pro-
test. and that uuquestionably mars It's
dramatic symmetry and lessons its value.
Mr. Frederick De Bclleyiile. an actor Of
experience and ability. struggled man
fully to make the part % Capt. Ellison
III into the surroundings. and not
seem an intruder. Mr. Bellew. as
usual. was quietly strong and convinc-
ing. though the role Of Lord DelCOmbe
gives him far less opportunity than many
other parts in which he has been seen.
Miss Ward as Rita Forrest. has "a part
Of less value and far less cOusistence than
that assigned 90 Mr. Bellew This Ameri-
can girl is neither type nor a specimen.
She is creature Of Mr. Manners own
fancy. an Englishmans STACEY concep-
ton OF an American girl. who has few of
the qualities that commend the American
girl 20 her own or other people Miss
Ward has "a pleasing personality and en-
gaging ways, and won the regard of her
audience by the cleVerncss and feeling
with which she presented the unconvinC-
ing part. She wore several very beautiful
and artistic gowns and looked especially
charming in the pretty second act. which
was capitally set The library set for
The third and fourth acts was also a fine
piece Of stage decoration Considering
that it was the third performance Of the
piece. il went with remarkable smooth
ness and spirit. II viii be continued
through the week