Evening journal., 1914-09-15

John Sayles ........ jerome Patrick
Samuel Hoyt ....-......... Edward See
Mrs. Samuel Hoyt. ......... Lucia Moore
Time: The Present.
Place. An American Town.
The three acts Of the play take place in
the sitting room az the home Of the Cor
dons during an evening in May.
what Is Lover"
After sitting through three acts OF
sprightly comedy with vivacious acting
and glittering lines last night at Tho
Playhouse, a large and manifestly
pleased audience concluded that at least
in words the question had not been
answered. That love is not an eXpla-
nation but an experience was the con
cmsion happily thrust upon the audi
enco.
While there may be doubt az to the
answer of the irrepressible What is
Loveyn after two and one-half hours OF
clever speeches and artistic acting, there
was no lingering doubt of the success
of Miss Alice Brady. in the stellar role,
and of the capable supporting company
in unfolding to Wilmingtonians a COM
edy that is expected to take its place
along with TOO Many Cooks "The
Third Party" "Thc Things Ihnt
Count" and several other New York
long run hits that had their premiere in
The Playhouse of Wilmington
Miss Brady. bubbling over with the
enthusiasm of the teen age, charming
of manner. pretty to behold has
achieved wonders in the few years
she has been on the stage. For one
who has not attained twenty she has
many triumphs to her credit. But she
! excelled herself last night in every
way She absorbed the character OF
Lucy Gordon, innocent, loving,
! cropping in a sea of doubt for an
answer to her bewildering query
"What Is Love
In her moods-light and gay. with
anticipation at times, depressed and
perrleXed az others she gave a hu-
man Interpretation of her part She
was natural at an times, mindful OF
the foibles and piques characteristic
Of one in her peculiar position of being
engaged to a man whose love she
doubted more and more as the hours
waned
The play approaches the love prob
lem from an angle believed to be
novel on the stage Engaged 10 mar.
~ John Sayles. self-centered, calcu.
lating lawyer. lacking in understand
ing of human nature. Lucy Gordon Il
asked by her sistor-in-law. Celeste
Gordon. whether he and she realll
love, whether his kisses are Of the eX
hilarating "apple-tOddy" kind open
eyed. she does not recognize a descrip
ton that could be applied to the cold
formal osculations of her fiance. John
Robert Hoyt. a boyhood chum an,
lover. returns after two years from
Berlin 70 learn of Lucy's engagement
to John. lie seizes her and kisses he
/ passionately. vowing TO win her. Shl
ehrinks away, recognizing in his ac
the "apple-toddy' mystery so aptl.
painted to her by her sister-in-law
Seeking an explanation to remove he
doubt, she asks right and left, "Wha
Is Love" The attempted answers ar
ludicrous or unsatisfying. In he
heart she leans to Hoyt, but Sayle
tries to hold her to her promise o
marriage as a sacred obligation. evel
though il would wreck her joys O
life. She is about to decide in his ia
vor when. under the love-inspired yer
bal lashing of Hoyt the lawye
shrinks away leaving Hoyt and Luc
to their happiness.
The Messrs. Shubert certainly Sc
lected a high-cass company for tn
new play by Mr. Scarborough. he fame
because of writing "The Lure Seldom
has a better company or a more pleas
ing, gripping play been seen at Tn
Playhouse Il is well worth the Will,
and should not be missed. If it doe
not rank with the leading New Yor
successes, the critical judgment of thos
who saw IL last night win have erret
Miss Brady, az has been said. w.
splendid in her lines. in her emotions, /
all the little tricks of a captivatin.
vivacious actress. So winsome was sl
that it was a pity she had to sit tw
Z or three times with her back to the al
dience.
l. The honors were shared by Nannett
Comstock, as Celeste, the happily maj
ried sister in law, who wished to 81
Lucy married to Hoyt, whom she b'
, lieved was the one to meet her idea
of love- Theodore Friebus, as Fran
Gordon Lucy's sister. won the aud
ence from the start as the matter-o
fact home loving and trouble hatiu
husband and brother. who liked b
T. pipe and smoking Jacket as much as ]
I abhorred his Tuxedo coat. Rut
Findly, as Cora, the maid, gave
= piquant reading Of the part. Charl'
: Balsar, as Robert Hoyt, the love-swayC
Young doctor and suitor, was excellei
e at all times. spirited and dashing
y word and action. while Jerome Patric
as John Savles, the lawyer. cold logics
Z absorbed. who considered the love ~
= marriage problem as he would q leg
question. also was fine. II would
difficult. however, 10 find such type
John in real life under the tests apple
u in "What Is Love"
} r. r. Graham as Judge Ssyles, blu
n and cynical, and Edward See as Samu
: Hoyt. a peaceful father aroused by fan
n ily pride. made the most of their part
d as did Jennie Eustace as Mrs. Sayl'
y and Lucia Moore as Mrs. Hoyt.
J. The only scene was a beautiful 4
terror. finished in mahogany. as hil
class as the company and the play.
William A. Brady. lessee of III
OF Playhouse. did not see last might
a performance. but will be present {
D. night The first performance of 4
n. play was In Stamford. Conn, abo
10 ten days ago What Is Love" W
V. be at The Playhouse tonight. tome
he row afternoon and tomorrow nigl
~ Mr. Scarbsiough in Audience.
George Scarborough, author of "Wh
Is Lover was an interested member
the audience.
ID How did you come to select the
Is tles" was asked of him.
IN "The entire play came about IN a
L. I.-l L