The Washington herald., 1910-04-26
LAST NIGHT AT LOCAL PLAYHOUSES
THE NEW NATIONAL.
nThe Commnters.u


The Commuters which opened al
the National Theater last night. is a
new comedy by James Forbes dealing
with suburban life, and is one OF the
best comedies OF the season, certainly
so from the standpoint OF effect pro
duced, for It is very laughable through
/ out, the mirth reaching at times almost
] to the uproarious level
The general treatment is rather broad
although at periods there are satirica
effects. and It Is all about what happened
one night at the home of Larry and Het-
~ Brice, a young married couple residing
in a suburban village, with the husband 5
business taking him TO New York each
day, and with, Of course, the concomitan'
features Of early rising, catching trains
and all the other ''conveniences" Of the
commuters life. The young husband, in
company with several young married
men OF the place is in the habit Of fire.
quently staying in town late al night
generally making merry at the apart
ments Of Sammy Fletcher. a bachelor
friend. and on the Friday evening Of the
play. Larry brings said Sammy home
with him TO spend the succeeding sun
day. quietly in the country
They are pretty well overcome by the
imbibing OF numerous highballs. and Lar
~ forgets that he had brought his friend
home until just train time the following
morning, and rushes of just as Sammy
appears. leaving his wife 10 take charge
OF the visitor the best she may. and
there follows a strenuous day for all con-
cerned, eliminating IN a plan laid by the
wife and a friend TO pay Larry back in his
own coin. which nearly results disas-
trously by reason of his Jealousy being
aroused; but all is at last adjusted, with
the young couple going of TO church.
and with Sammy, the cause OF all the
trouble. Fastening back 10 Broadway.
The piece at times verges on the farcical.
and is fun Of amusing Incidents. including
the usual exhibition Of bad temper in
the morning. the story Of the man who
dotes on his precocious child and an
address TO the women's club by an advo-
cate OF the new woman idea.
The cast is notable for It's general ex-
ceilence, although the bulk OF the work
falls on Jane Marbury as Hetty, Orrln
Johnson as Larry. and Taylor Holmes as
Sammy Fletcher. Miss Marbury. besides
being a very pretty woman. is also q
very clever one. She carries the comedy
70 high degree Of effectiveness. and is
| especially strong IN the really serious
work at the critical point Of the play.
That her playing was highly appreciated
was demonstrated by the heartiness OF
the applause accorded.
Orrin Johnson also scored heavily. es-
peCially IN the latter periods OF the play
while Taylor Holmes figured prominently
In the mirth production while he was
on the stage, which was almost the en-
tire period OF the performance. The other
members Of the cast are all well-known
people. including George Laurence. as
Carrie; Mrs. Dufleld. as Mrs Graham;
George Spencer as Rolliston; Louis
Haines. as Cotton: r. J. Bacllus, as Ap-
plebee; Maude Knowlton. as Mrs. Crane:
Amy Lesser. as Mrs. Cotton. Isabella
Fenton. as Mrs. Shi3man; Adelyn Yves
ley, as Mrs. Applebee. and Lillian Thur
gate. as Mrs. Rolliston.