The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
my Wife" :"

In My Wife, Michael Mortons adap-
tation from tho French. which we were
shown at the National Theater last week.
there are stin further revealed the conse-
quences OF the oft-repeated experiment of
endeaYoring to engraft upon American
tastes the philosophy and manners Of an
alien race. To our ideas, built upon Gus
tom, such an alliance as Gerald Evers-
leigh made with his little ward. Trixie
Dupre. could not fail 90 be uneonvincinE
as basic situation upon which 10 rear
the superstructure OF a play. In spite OF
the careful elimination OF all lines that
could in any way offend. or suggest i'm
propriety in the situation, il fell far short
OF what we are led 10 expect from a fit
play for John Drew.
Without any disposition to belittle that
source OF so much that is elevating. ma
jestic. and scholarly in the drama-the
French stage-which produced the poetic
Rostand. the psychological Hervieu. and
the master, Sardou, yet the fact remains
that such episodes OF MY Wife" which
still remain un-Anglicized intrude them
selves disagreeably upon the American
intelligence.
The dual scene. funny as it was. in spite
Of the false note struck. belonged more
properly TO the comic opera Stage. Lew
Fields and his clever About Town" as
sociates would have laid hold Of il IN elee
and romped II out in the true spirit OF
ourlesque that it is. 1t gave the impress
sion of being dragged into the Norton
Drew play, and had ii not been for the
mighty artistic acting OF Gottschalk the
whole scheme would have been threat
ened by exposure rs a cheap theatrical
trick. It was obvious that the whole
Switzerland scene was interpolated into
the story to lengthen it. and II suspended
ettention and interest in the real story.
which is the awakening love between the
elderly hero and his fascinating ward.
Another comedy situation excited by the
too prolonged ringing Of a bell by a
sleepy man leaning against the push-but-
ton was unworthy. II didn't just it into
high-class comedy.
Outside Of the unconyincingness OF the
mock marriage and honeymoon OF Trixie
and Eversleigh. the sentimental episodes
Of the play were decidedly pretty and
were written and played with authority.
Given a situation where he is being
wheedled by pretty woman into doing
something against which his good sense
revolts. when he must first bluster. then
listen, then embrace. John Drew is at his
best. He can preach a sermon without
becoming dry. utter platitudes that are
hungrily devoured by eager listeners, and
turn an epigram as becomes gentleman
accustomed to the habits Of the elect.
Miss Burke. too. made a most pleasant
and lasting impression upon local theater-
goers, and her likeness TO Maude Adams.
both in voice and gesture and in one or
two little tricks OF expression and man.
ner. was further enhanced by the rela-
tionship in the play between Eversieigh
and Trixie. which was similar 10 that in
Rosemary - a long-ago fsvorite - be-
tween Sir Jasper and Dorothy.
II this charming little lady is to star.
and 1t seems to be upon the cards that
she IA, let us hope that she will be always
able TO find some one to play opposite her
who has the finesse. the elan, to bring
out her best points as does John Drew in
My Wife"