The Washington herald., 1914-05-05
NATIONAL.
ssWhat's wrong

The new comedy by Frederick Ballard.
which was given its initial presentation
at the New National Theater last night
by David Belasco. has the assertive title,
whats Wrong" which evolves itself
into an interrogatory phrase before
the conclusion OF the play, turning,
boomerang fashion. upon piece itself,
leaving but one possible answer. for the
little play Is q much exaggerated. nimsy
comedy whose dreary repetition of sub
ject matter goes round in a circle with
infinite tedium.
The story told IL Of one George Smith,
O New York business man, suffering from
acute "Americanitis" (the authors coin
age, meaning an exaggerated attack of
overwork), who drives every one in his
employ to the point of rebellion, ignor-
ing the friendly appeal of his friend,
Perry. Dodge. to take a little time for
social intercourse, and bringing himself
to the point of nervous prostration be-
fore Jennie Brown. his sen-appoInted
guardian, brings him to q simultaneous
realization of his folly in the matter of
his mad and futile rush and his love
for her.
Two acts ended.
Act three finds George Smith and Jen-
ME Brown married, comfortably settled
in a home of their own in the suburbs,
with the acquisition OF a baby and the
gain OF a normal life for Brown. Enter
friend Perry and his young wife, who
have been living a while in Seattle. where
the erstwhile champion Of the simple life
has acquired "Americanitis," whereupon
the tables are turned. and, with the aid
Of a metronome, Brown teaches Perry TO
slow down.
Final curtain.
Doesn't sound very exciting. does II?
Well. 1t isn't Just a drab little story.
beautifully staged by Mr.. Belasco and
capability to futile effort to make the
play ring true.
Miss Janet Beecher. whose artistic por-
trayal of the leading feminine role in
THE Great Adventure" was seen here
earlier in the season with such great
satisfaction, has the difficult task Of
vizualizing the impossible Jennie Brown,
who comes on an errand Of charity to the
office of George Smith just as he has dis
charged his stenographer, and, despite
their very slight acquaintanceship offers
first to help him rid himself of his cor
respondence, and secondly to take his
place in an intended trip to Argen-
tina on a business OF vital Importance to
Smith, a proposal as illogical on her part
as is his acceptance of the services of a
girl but slightly known to him socially.
and of whose business ability he can have
no assurance beyond her word that she
is capable to transact the matter.
Equally improbable is his ready ac-
Quiescence to her proposal that he retire
to a New Jersey farm for rest where he
once more applies his unnatural pace to
chicken raising, in which occupation the
girl finds him upon her return two
months later.
What's Wrong is unreal. inconse-
quential, and illogical. its fabric being
woven of material which offers small
opportunity for comedy and presents no
romantic appeal
Frederick Burton portrays the over
drawn speed-mad business man; Richie
Ling creates Perry Dodge, his friend,
and Maidel Turner is the Mrs. Dodge,
these three, with Miss Beecher. bearing
the burden Of the piece, supported in
minor (and in some instances superfiuous
roles) by William Dixon, Percy Helton,
Henry Weaver, J. W. Kennedy, Russell
Simpson. Miss Louise Sylvester, Miss
Dorothy Walters Miss Suzanne Villa,
Miss Grace Vernon, and Miss Jane Shore.
Being cognizant of Mr.. Ballard's and !
Mr.. Be!asco's presence in the house last
night, the audience was so insistent in
their demands that the latter expressed
his thanks in 4 graceful curtain speech,
while Mr.. Ballard proved much too diff
lent for anything of the sort.
JULIA CHANDLER MANI.