The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-29
AT Ii[|llE IIdtIlAl[I2lIEzS
COLUMBIA.
ssHis House in order =

One of the most brilliant audiences
that has ever assembled in the Columi
bia Theater sat not only patiently but
delightedly until nearly midnight
through a perfect performance of Pr
nero's play. His House in Order" 1t
- designated q comedy on the pro-
gramme. and the title ats fairly well
during the first two acts, but in the
third act an element comes to the sur
face which closely approaches the
tragic. The story, briefly told, is the
not unusual one of a young second wife
OF an elderly husband being dominated
and hectored by the relatives OF the
first spouse, lamentations over whose
untimely decease and praises Of whose
virtues are constantly dinned into the
ears Of the young matron, who had
been governess in the family during
the first wife's life. Quite by acci-
dent, some letters are found which
tell a story Of inf1delity on the part of
the dead woman. The young wife's
brother-in-law acquaints her husband
| with the sinfulness of the deceased,
whom all had thought Of as almost .
saint. and the long suffering young
woman is at last relieved of the pres
| ence Of her tormentors and a better
her and her husband.
Helen Holmes, as Nina, the young wife
| of Frlmer lesson, M. p, gave renewed
evidence Of sterling dramatic capabilities.
\ The transition from the free and joyous,
albeit careless, girl to the woman en-
| Uttered and angered by persistent abuse
and Misrepresentation; the mingled hor-
ror and vengeful spirit expressed as the
| fatal letters come into her hands; the
change to mercy and forgiveness
! wrought by the pleas and arguments OF
Hilary lesson, her brother-in-law; the
! pity for her husband when she finds that
| he has learned. through his brother, of
the faithlessness Of his deceased wife
and his supposed friend, Maj. Maure-
| ward-all these varying moods and out
bursts Of passion are expressed by Miss
Holmes with singular effectiveness and
without recourse to meretricious meth
DDS A splendid companion picture was
presented by A. H. Van Buren, in the
character Of Hilary lesson, of the Brit
ish diplomatic service, man of the world.
keen-sighted, debonnair, persuasive. yet
forceful at the crucial moment, tender
hearted. but cruelty honest in opening
his brothers eyes to the injustice with
which the young wife has been treated.
In no other part this season has Mr..
Van Buren, appeared to so great an ad-
vantage. The applause. which was re-
peatedly and enthusiastically bestowed
upon the two principals, was richly re-
served.
A really remarkable piece of acting was
done by little Helen Hayes Brown. to
whom was confided the part of Derek
lesson. Fluency of diction, clearness OF
enunciation, facial expression, graceful
gestures, all rare in one so young, COM
bined to make her impersonation one Of
the most enjoyable features of the per-
Torrance. Frances Young was excellent
as the self-sufficient Lady Ridgely. while
John M. Kline. as Sir Daniel Ridgely,
her husband: Carrie Thatcher, as Ger
aldine Ridgely. and Everett Butterfield
as Pryce Ridgely. competed the quartet
that made life a burden to Nina Mr..
Butterfield especially was excruciatingiy
funny as the priggish member of the
Ridgely family. Dorothy Bernard gave
a thoroughly charming portrayal of Mile
Thome. a French governess.
George W.. Barber presented as typi-
cal a specimen of the self-satisfied Brit
ish NJ. p. as has ever been seen on the
boards, and Stanley James made all
that could be made of the not very
agreeable part Of Maj. Maureward.
George Darrell was cast as Dr. Dillnot,
Mayor of the town; John Ellis as For
shaw, proprietor of the local newspaper
and Arthur Richie as Harding, the NJ.
P.'s confidential secretary.
The management of the Columbia de-
serves all the credit which can possibly
be bestowed for the lavish scenic equip
ment Of the play.