The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-30
THE WEEKS PLAYBILLS.
The BeIascO-"Mr. Preedy and the
Countess"


II may sound trite to say that a per-
Iformance must be seen TO be appreciated,
/ yet from all reports al hand it would
| seem as If that is really the fullest way
10 describe what is I'm store for our thea
| ter-goe-s at the American premiere to-
morrow night at the Belasco Theater OF
4 Mr. Weldon Grossmith. the English
! comedian, in the R. c Carton farce,
| Mr. Preedy and the Countess" And
lest there be a misunderstanding about
| this word premiere, II is only fair 10 MI
! Weldon Grossmith and his managers.
Messrs. Shubert and Daniel Y. Arthur
| to explain that while tomorrow night
Will witness his first appearance in
America in Mr.. Preedy and the
Countess" Mr.. Grossmith enjoyed a run
of over 80 nights in 1t at the Criterion
Theater, London, last season. A perfectly
finished performance can therefore De
| looked for, especially as Mr. Grossmith
has brought TO America with him the
| same company that supported him at
tho Criterion. including the famous Eng
| lish beauty Miss Charlotte Granville.
The story Of Mr. Preedy and the
Countess" has to do with the enforced
| stay Of an clipping countess at the apart
ments Of a severely respectable ba -helor.
Mr.. Preedy has been elevated 10 a part
nership in the Bounsall Emporium, where
he has shaved for years. He feels
encouraged by his success in business 20
embark In a matrimonial venture. He
has become engaged 10 a very worthy
young woman, who has just departed with
her parents from his apartment. when
the great BOunsau, whom he still fears
as much as he respects, arrives with the
Countess Of Rushmere. Her husband has
eloped with a ballet girl TO Egypt. She is
planning a quick marriage 10 Bounsall a.
a retaliatOry step. All the proprieies are
10 be observed meanwhile so they are
on their way 20 a relative of the countess.
where she intends 10 stay until her
divorce IS secured.
Mr. Preedy has never been in such
close contact with any member of the
aristocracy before He has scarcely fin
ished mis- obseQuious welcoming of the
countess when Bounsall is summoned
away. It starts TO rain violently, so
there IS nothing else for Mr.. Preedy 10
do than 10 place mis- apartment at the
disposition Of the countess over night
He spends a miserable night of it walk
ing the streets IN the ram Cld0 IN White
flannel trousers. evening dress coat. and
an opera hat Before he returns to his
apartment in the morning, he has to per-
form several little missions FOR the coun-
tess, which makes him uneasier still.
To add to Mr.. Peedy's misery. the par
ents OF his betrothed learn Of TIE pres
enCe Of the woman in his apartments.
and call upOn him. renouncing his en-
gagement: the relatives of the countess
accuse him OF abduction, and even his
own servants point the finger Of scOrn at
him. Afr. Preedy submits as graciously
as he can 10 all the. unjust accusatious.
and saves the reputation of the countess
and his partner AT the sacrifice OF his
own. OF course IL all ends happily; but
we are assured by our English brethren
that there Is a good hearty laugh TO every
second that the farce lasts.
Mr.. Weldon Grossmith is no stranger
to America, having been over here years
ago as a member of the Rosina Vokes
Company, and about seven years ago al
the head of his own organization when
he won unusual favor in the comedy
''g'he Night Of the Party" He is COM
edian of wonderful charm and vast ex-
perience.