The Washington herald., 1912-09-03
THE COLUMBIA.
'sHer Hussa.a's WIFE,.


The Columbia Players entered upon
the fnsl week Of their washington en-
gagement with q special Labor Day
matinee yesterday afternoon. presenting
Her Huband's Wife," brilliant farce
comedy from the pen Of A. e. Thomas,
who also wrote THE Rainbow" Henry
Millers latest successful vehicle. which
will be seen at the Columbia Theater
again at an early date.
When Her Husbands Wife" was
Produced by Klaw & Erianger at the
Garrick Theater In New York. II was
staged by Mr.. Miller, who also played
the role of John Belden, the wealthy
bachelor uncle OF Irene Randolph. q
Characterization. which was admirably
portrayed by Stanley James yesterday
afternoon.
The piece tells a story a. novel as II
is entertaining, furnishing a satire on
famininity which makes an admirable
hot weather diet. Irene Randolph. the
hypochondriacal- young wife of Stuart
Randolph. becomes so thoroughly con-
WINGED that she Is about to die that she
selects the plainest Of her feminine
friends as her successor in matrimony,
conhding to her Uncle John Belden her
plan to secure a promise from dowdy
little Emily Ladew that she will marry
and care for poor Stuart after his wife's
demise Seeing the futiiity Of an effort
to turn her thoughts into less melan-
choly channels, Uncle john consents
to help her out In telling Emily of the
proposed arrangement. Miss Ladew,
who Is former fiance Of Richard Bel
den. the brother OF Irene. resents having
been chosen because Of her unattractive-
ness. and proceeds to not only accept
her friends proposition, but to be re-
venged by making herself charming and
nirttng with Irene's husband. who sue
cumbs to her wiles sufficiently to
arouse his wife's jealousy and quite cure
her OF her fancied ills.
In her effort to release Miss Ladew
from her promise to marry her hsuband
after her death. Irene resorts to drastic
measures which involve all parties con-
cerned in the most ridiculous tangle,
from which they are finally extricated
by score of explanations which con-
clude the story happily.
Her Husbands Wife" had its first
Washington presentation yesterday aft
ernoon by the Columbia Players, who
produced 1t SO well that It Is sure to be
remembered as one OF the most artistic
performances OF the stock season.
While there are but six people in, the
cast the parts are. with one exception,
all star roles. and this week in the
hands OF the most capable members of
the Columbia Company.
Frances Nelson appears to good ad-
vantage in the role OF the hypochron-
driacal wife. making the character the
best possible excuse for the satire d.
rected at her. and at her kind, through
out the play. This role of an Illogical
woman OF too much wealth. who has no
better thing to do than imagine herself
III unto death. Is so far at variance
with the girl Of the North Woods, whom
Miss Nelson portrayed SO exquisitely
last week. that II affords her audience
the opportunity to gauge her remark
able versatility as no other two sue
cessive roles could possibly do
Miss Nelson's gowns seen in Her
Husbands Wife" are visions OF delight.
and are worn with that degree OF grace
which is In itself an art
In the Characterization Of Stuart RAN
dolph. the innocent cause Of the tangle
which makes the play scintillate with
clever wit and brilliant comedy. Edward
H. Robins was entirely satisfactory yes
terday afternoon. In the third and last
act, in which he resorts to drowning his
troubles In drink. he kept his audience
IN an uproar of laughter. and furnished
one of the most enjoyable characterize
tons OF the season. :
To Carrie Thatcher fell the role Of
and supplemented by an altogether too |
bit OF a delightful song, |
which Miss Thatcher sang charmingly.
Arthur Ritchie is seen this week as
Richard Belden. brother of Irene Ran |
iolph. and sweetheart Of Emily Ladew. |
giving a capable performance. and Laura |
Oakman completes the cast as Nora. the |
ong-suffering maid in the Randolph |
|
That there is sufficient humor in Her |
Husbands Wife to compensate one for
yenturing out even in such humid heat |
Is the weather man turned on for Labor |
Day was amply proven by the enthusiasm |
With which It was received by the large |
audience which gave the production OF
he farewell week Of the Columbia Play |
RS the stamp of its approval yesterday |
afternoon
II is a good comedy. wisely selected,
md well played. J. u MANI