The Washington times., 1910-04-26
James Forbes Suburban
Comedy Scores Hit at
National.
PLOT NOT MISSED
IN BRIGHT LINES
Capable Cast Provided for Produc-
tiOn-Taylor Holmes Wins
Favor.
By ]. R. HILDEBRAND.
We you ever been a commuter?

Have you ever been a commuter?
Have you ever lived in the-weIl. the
dyed-fn-the-wOol suburbanite would sim
ply ask meaningly, Have you ever
Iived7''
P'or really 20 live, he vii tell you, you
must get close TO nature, md be sure
you also get close to the street car line;
your domiclle should be called Lake
View or some such pretty name be
cause on sunshiny days you honestly
can see the lake from the garrett win
dow and. gentle reader, do not forget
10 subscribe 10 the weekly that comes
around on Saturdays and talks 10 you
IN this same chummy and chatty tone;
and remember that nature VIII be per
ennislIy beautiful all day long while
you are in the busy city at work
Such IS the hopeful view Of the real
estate situation taken by James Forbes
N his latest comedy, The Commuters -
II is a comedy any one in the audience
at the National last night viii vouch
for that; but it is more Il is a prob
lem play. Not the divorce court ex-
sctly, though there was domestic tan
gle, but such 7veightier problems as the
servant girl, and the catching Of the 7-4g
train and the backwardness Of the sea
Sons It Is to such deep sources as these
that Mr.. Forbes goes for the roots OF
domestic Unhappiness instead OF simply
digging up the family tree
Play Nearly PlotIess-
Mr. Forbes unkindly, mayhap thought
lessly, deprived reviewers of the space
filing comfort Of reciting the plot, be-
cause there wasn't any \ few compli-
cations arose when Larry Brice, the
COmmUtsr N question, brought home a
friend from the city, and forgot II until
late next morning. And there was 4
family disruption because said hubby
and friend went 10 the club and Mrs
BTice worked dire vengeance on them
by almost making q night Of r.
Speaking Of clubs. what would the
stage do without them All or best
plays have them galore. and The Com
mUteTs" is no exception IN this little
suburb Of 100 or so denizeus there is 4
club" 10 20 10, and the women have
a club. and the prOletsriar have clubs,
even to the servant girI and the ash
man.
This pIot1essness was covered over
nicely with the brightest kind OF
dialogue The lines are so very, very
bright that they glitter a little too much
II places that IS 20 say. IN The wrong
places. The COmely Irish cook was a.
ways ready for a bit Of Tepartee and
paused at every turn TO deliver snapPy
Little W7ttiCisms which might have been
culled from Bernard Shaw The police
man was on the stage but I've minutes,
but. rs fairly dubbed with wit
Suburban Scenes
Amusing situations that threw side
lights on suburban Unhsppiness fol-
lowed IN quick Success On, and one Of
The most uprORTious vas the women 5
club scene IN the second act From q
soeno standpoint the verauda Of the
Brice bone On Sunday morning proved
The Fs+est gem The picket fence, prob
sbsE. was responsible for the applause
In Taylor Holmes, the producer, Henry
3 Harris unearthed q comedian OF raTa
quality. With chin and hair that
would do credit 10 Raymond Hitchcock
this actor combines methods all his own,
and II IS worth several laughs % hear
him laugh
Mss Jane MaTbJLTy was wholly charm
ing. how could she be otherwise, and
OETn johnson was highly satisfactory
IN the role o. n agETieYed, peaiteut, and
several other kinds Of a husband. Another
comedy HIT was scored by Miss George
LzWrencs. who bore the brunt Of the
servant problem. And IN personal at
fractions Miss Lawrence ran q close
race with Miss MarbCTy IN the eyes Of a
part OF the audience.