The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-10

A clever satire on the aspiration of
the new woman who wants slap
ping" but who doesn't know it, and
with whom the "perplexed husband"
couldn't deal in that summary fash
Ion, was cleVerly presented by John
Drew and "A supporting company Of
unusual merit at the Academy of Mu-
sic last night, and the small crowd
present showed high appreciation of
the wit of the lines and the good act
ing of all.
1t was not a comedy that keeps the
audience In gales of laughter, but one
loaded with quiet chuckles which one
with a real sense of humor enjoys
SO much, varied by an occasional
hearty laugh The manifest absurdity
Of the plot and the intervals during
which the movement Jagged did not
detract from the pleasure OF the per-
Torrance, acting of the most natural
kind always coming to the rescue
when needed.
John Drew. in the title role, took
the part Of the perplexed husband in
his own inlmitable manner His halt
ing, hesitating actions when face to
face with a situation of humor to
lockers on. but fraught with danger
to domestic tranquility, was perfect.
his impersonation of a man up against
something he could not understand
and his portrayal Of the natural per-
plexity OF the male at loss to explain
the inexplicabie female, was a source
OF delight to the men who have been
in the same predicament and the wo-
men who have been the cause of II.
Miss Mary Boland as kaliaia. a wor-
shipper of the beautiful, and whose
life's dream was to see Athens, man
,r1
silly and -sscrificingly noble In a
manner that was charming in its nat
uralness and simplicity. While you
laugh at her you sympathize with her.
More. you appreciate her real nobility
If spirit. The part could not have
been better taken than by this beau
tiful leading lady
Miss Nina Seyening as the wife cor
verted to the doctrine Of Mrs Dulcie
Elstead, the independent" woman
Independent since her husband left
her-depscted the wife torn between
hr love for her husband and her de-
sire to be petted and her new theory
in ths. Independent of woman In n
pleasing manner. Her every move
rnent made plain her struggle between
her impulse TO throw herself into her
hushanG's arm and be eeHaferted and
her determination to follow the mas
ter" and his co~worker. puicie, who
had put her theories into book form
and spent her life trying To make
others practice them
Mrs EisteAd WAS portrayed by Miss
Margaret Watson. who NOT only acts
ed, but looked the character well.
Misguided In her efforss to reform
coniugal conditions, which. being nat
ural and due TO human nature, cam
not be changed, she is the sincere
member OF the firm OF marital but
tefs-in' and her acting suparbly show
cd that sincerity Of purpose.
Hubert Druce as the Master Of the
cult is easily led astrny by the In
comparable Ksileia. and deserted,
puleie leaves with head In the air
ard n bearing exudIng confidence In
her mission and satisfaction with self
Miss Alice John as Agatha MARCEL,
sister of the "perplexed husband" and
the one who aids him 10 rid himself
Of his perplexities and free his home
oF the presence Of the husy-bodles,
measured mp 10 the requirements Of
her part.
Richmond 81 lucky to have the
chance Of seeing a star of the first
magnitude. supported by a company
suited TO the play and capable OF fill-
ing the parts assigned 10 them--a
piece Of good fortune that those many
theater- goers who remained away last
night are not sensible that they missed.