The Washington herald., 1907-01-15
John Drew in Pinero's Ellis House In
Ordero at the New National.


The combination Of John Drew and
Arthur W. Pinero as associated at the
National Theater last night proved a
most happy one. Mr.. Pinero represents in
the field Of playwriting a distinct school.
embodying the intimate portraiture Of
people who move and think with the
higher order Of humanity not only in a
social and cultured sense. but generally in
an Intellectual
Pinero. often unjustly accused Of cyni-
cism and the wiIlful dragging Of his
characters through the mire Of immortality.
Is, nevertheless. the complete master Of
the problem play. so-calied His House
in Order" is a problem play IN the best
sense Of the term. 1t Is a serious discus
sion Of domestic episode in which some
plain language is used and some unpleas-
ant facts brought TO light. While at times
the shadow of Ibsenism is cast over the
Development, there is a gratifying and
pleasant ending, which reminds one
little of the old days Of sweet Lavender"
before Pinero became ashamed Of bring
ing the curtain down upon characters
happy ever afterward"
In His House IN order" we are given
4 woman gOaded to desperation by the
patronage and domination of the fam
lily OF her husbands first wife. whose
sainted memory they never allow
themselves 20 forget BY "Providen-
tial interposition" the means Of revenge
is placed in her hands-a contemplate
means. but 10 her blessed deIiverance
from her unbearable position. To pre-
vent her from using this weapon-in
the shape Of letters bearing evidences
Of a secret liaison between the first
wife and one Nal Maurewarde-and
forestall public expose Of so hideous
a family skeleton. is the delicate duty
Of her brother-in-law. Hilary In the
end the obnoxious relatives are dis
missed. and Nina, the wife. reigns in
her husbands house. which Is thus put
in order.
Mr.. Drew, in the part Of Hilary Jes-
son. the peacemaking brother-in-law.
has what might be summarized as a
! typical Drew part. but whether Mr.
! Drew realizes that at last he has a
! play and a part worthy OF his mettle.
| or whether most of his recent roles
/ have been mere pegs upon which to
| hang epigrammatic speeches and gentle
manly poses. the truth Is that at no
| time in his starring career has he ap-
| peared to better advantage or done
/ better acting. At all times he rises TO
I the exacting dramatic requirements OF
/ the play. and IN the scene in which he
| persuades the rebellious wife to re-
/ linquish the discriminating letters.
won. with Miss Ellington, six curtain
calls by purely forceful handling of
a moving climax.
/ Miss Ellington Hadily proved herself
worthy of the honor Of creating so i'm
pOTtant u role as Nina. She possesses not
4 only natural beauty and grace Of car
| riage but assumes the wistful. pleading
and womanly part with appreciation and
| conviction. She displayed an emotional
! fire in several of her scenes which marks
/ her as a genius.
| Mr.. Drew's company, which is always
| selected with nice discretion as to the
| requirements of the cast, is. for the most
/ part, excellent. The character of FilmeI
/ lesson, the type of self-centered British
| husband. so complete a foil to the open
/ hearted brother Hilary, was played by
| Mr.. c. NJ. Hallard with great reserve and
| dignity His surrender in the last act
| was q remarkably finished bit Of work
Lumsden Hare was a capable Mai
| Maurewarde playing i'm a repressed key
a part easily overdone.
Olive Oliver. as Geraldine. the domi.
neering sister-in-law, labored under the
misfortune Of being miscast. She is fal
more al home In cheerful part than on,
so lugubrious as this. She Is a tall, fine
looking woman. and Geraldine Il disa.
greeable old maid. The Mile. Thome ot
Hope Latham was cleverly done. and tn,
Derek of Edith Mendoza acceptable. al
though real boy I'm the part would have
1 done better. Sir Daniel and Lady Ridg
| ley. the pQmpOus and narrow middle
class parents Of the defunct Annabel. WeT,
well done by Arthur Elliot and Lena Hal
liday.
! A large and fashionable audience was
present at the performance, several larg,
| theater parties being among the number
including one accompanying Mr.. and Mrs
Nicholas LOngwoTth.
Marie CahiII Very Entertaining in
"MarryIng Mary" at the Columbia.