Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-19
At the Theaters



A play Of contemporary American life, in
four acts, by Eugene Walter. The cast:
Joseph Brooks, collector Of the LATIN
American steamship company ...,
Emma Brooks, his fe...........sar Perry
James Smith, superintendent Of dock
age OF the Latin-American steam
Captain Williams, president OF the
Latin-AmeriCau steamship company,
formerly a South Pacific trader. 49,.
Mrs. Harris. mother of Emma and
widow OF Captain Williams late as
sOCiatC in business ........... Rose Snyder
Beth Harris. her daughter. Pauline Darlins
Sato, the japanese valet Of Captain VII
Allen Atwcll
1t is a tradition in Chicago that George
AIDE in the days before fame and shekels
came to him, used to exclaim: why does
not some one write a play about people
like us. people who live in small flats and
live and move and have their being on a
salary Of $3.50 or so?" \ chorus would
invariably arise: why don't you do it
yourself?' And AIDE would reply: well,
maybe 1 will SOM day" However, AIDE
never did, and Eugene Walter proceeded
to write the sort of drama which the In
dianan had in nina. This was "Paid In
Fun"
The play was seen here last October and
made then an impression like that achieved
everywhere else. Interest in 1t justified
q return engagement, as last nights at
tendance showed. 1t is not altogether a
pleasant drama, but is a long way from
being repellant, nevertheless. If the lead
ing character happens to be a contemplate
cad, Smith is not, and the old sea captain,
brutal, coarse and with the sort of morals
which might be expected, is yet an %inspira-
tion in his profound conviction in the in
herent worth and virtue Of a good woman
who is beyond and above all temptation.
There is one problem which the drama
involves which so far as the play is con-
cerned has not awakened much comment.
This is the broad hint given that Emma
Brooks, after leaving the worthless Joe,
who has been paid" all, shall marry the
sterling Mr.. Smith. 1t is a consummation
which few who have seen the play will
find it in their hearts to cry out against,
but which, viewed abstractly, would secure
the condemnation of many who dlsapprove
of divorce on theological or sociological
grounds. But the many who think divorce
is all wrong would find a sneaking APP
prevail of the marriage in the back of their
heads, thus showing once again that emo
ton and sentiment do not always square
with abstract convictions.
The company is one of uniform excel
lence. Neither ardent partisans Of Tuily
Marshall or Guy Bates Post would find
1t an easy matter to say wherein their ia
vorite in the role is greatly superior to
William J.. Gibson as Joe Brooks, the clerk
who steals from his employer, the bluff
sea captain. Gibson spared the character
not at all, and If criticism of his acting
could find any foothold it would be that
he made the man Just a shade more dis
agreeable in the first act than was neces-
sary. This is but a suggestion, however,
and it should be said in tribute to him that
once during the action of the drama he
held the chief attention of the audience
when the attention should have been
equally divided between him and the other
players at the time.
Miss Perry has a sympathetic quality in
her voice which. added to a part calculated
to win sympathy, made her decidedly eff
~fective, Through the trying third act,
where she comes to Captain Smiths apart
ments at night to ask her husbands par
don for her husband, Miss Perry made a
deep impression. but was better yet in the
final scene where she says goodbye in sor-
row to Joe Brooks.
Scott Higgins is well cast physically as
the old North Pacific sealer, who has
worked into the presidency OF the East At
lantic Steamship company. Higgins has a
thankful part, of which he makes the most.
The character of James Smith is also a
grateful one and it is in the capable hands
of Albert Brown. Mrs. Harris, mother OF
Emma Brooks, is the one character in the
play which is not true to life because of its
eXaggeration. Rose Snyder subdued this
somewhat and was accordingly i'm like
measure successful. Pauline Darling and
Allen Atwell, in the small parts Of Beth