Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-06
New National.

Victorien Sardou's three-act comedy
"Divorcons" was the offering OF Grace
George and her splendid company at the
National Theater last night. The plays
brilliant lines. its ever changing situations.
and withal it's ever pronenebs to keep the
brighter side of life uppernOst should
serve to keep it long a favorite with thea
ter-goers who are tired Of the problem
play. and yet yearn at times for a bit of
its spiciness. A foolish young wife.
allured by no one knows what. turns
from husband who has slipped all the
sweets Of life and overlooked the sweetest
under his very eyes to find consolation in
military uniform with less intelligence
and more stupidity than heaven gives to
the average LOthario. The expected en-
actmcnt OF q new divorce law puts life
into the situation-for the young wife, that
she may rid herself of the tiresome old
fogy OF a husband who really loves. but
in a way neglects her; to young widow,
because it will make larger list of mar
riageable men to choose a husband from.
and to the husbands friend, because It
will enable him to get rid OF very UNI
desirable wife.
The young wife's lover. If he were not
so stupid, would come very near being a
villain, for his attentions to her do not
contemplate marriage. until her willy hus-
band, when aroused to the situation, gen.
erously appearsAo waive all claim to her.
and in doing so discloses that small
fortune goes with her, The wife at first
is delighted; then disappointed that her
husband can SO easily part with her; and
finally in deiiciously remorseful way
opens her eyes 10 the merits.of the hus-
band. the emptiness OF her whilom cava-
lier, and concludes that the old fellow,
with his allowance of 10000 francs q year
to her after all is better than Il ninny
with 1900 francs, who has declared In her
hearing that he will make her walk a
chalk line.
The young wife. Cyprienne, Mime. des
Prunelles. could not have had a better
impersonator than Miss George. Her act
ing throughout was natural. fascinating,
superb. 1t even covered with its clever
ness the glaring defect in the vacillating
wife's character, its mercenary side, and
won for her the warm sympathy Of the
audience throughout Frank Wo-thing
was ut his best Henri DIES Prunelles,
the husband who had tired of slipping the
sweets of life and cast them aside for a
humGrum existence with young wife
whose curiosity was great and who knew
only enough of the spicier side of life to
want TO taste a bit Of it. Quiet. dignified
and most effective at critical moments.
Mr. WOrthing made all that could be
made of the part.
Next to the two principals, the per-
Torrance OF that splendid character actor.
Max Freeman. as Joseph. the all-wise,
thoroughly seasoned and ripely expert
enced waiter, was the feature of the play
The cast as a whole was excellent. Henry
Miller, jr.. as Adhemar Gratignac. the
young military lover, presenting the weak
side OF that unfortunate individual with
unerrin:s certainty. even though bit too
strongly perhaps: Ruth Benson, as the
young widow. Teresa Toube. maid to
Cyprienne. the young wife: Mary Fernier,
as the jealous young maiden. and Pauline
Whitson. as the satisfied Nine de Valfon-
tame. who did not approve of divorce-all
were alive TO their opportunities and made
the most of them. Indeed there was not
a weak portrayal In any part Of the play.
and the we'll filled house testified Its APP
probation of a finished production in a
lively manner throughout the perform
ance