The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-11
drew and HIS EXCELLENT
COMPANY ARE A DELIGHT
Charm of His Acting Is Not Dimin.
ished BY His Years ON tho Stage,
As He Proved Last Night in 'The
Prodigal Husband

Age cannot wither nor custom
stale the infinite charm of john
Drew acting. Every time he comes
here ne seems to bring with him add.
ed delight to his audiences. He is as
clever, capable and captivating as he
was when in the days of the old
Augustin DAILY company he played in
~ with Ada Rehan. James Lew.
is, Fanny Davenport and the others
VINO were graduated to the front OF
stellar attractions and made the
American stage more than name.
Mr.. Drew was in Harrisburg last
night, and there was more than one in
the audience who remembered him
back IN the Augustin Dalv are. No
longer matinee idol, Mr.. Drew is
more intense in the Interpretation Of
ms plays, and therein lies his splendid
abiity--in his naturalness, His plav
presented at the Majestic theatre TO
large and appreciative audience. was
1.-The Prodigal Husband" new
comedy by Dario Nicodema and
Michael Morton, two young collabor.
ateurs who are of the best playrights
now engaged in welding words aud
actions together for the entertainment
VI but publlc.
1t was a very funny play, and it
TOOK company such rs Drew gathers
about him to interpret il and bring
out of ii all of its humor and clever.
ness. 1t is story of husband sep
arated from his wife because of his
prodlgai habits. He adopts the daush.
ter OF his concierge who died at his
home. The daughter grows up to be
a beautiful girl and gossip links her
name with that of the husband to such
extent that he determines to leave
france with her on n worldwide Jour.
ney in order to save her good name.
The girl, having in mind the re.
conelliation of the man and his wife,
hastens to the latter S home in Brit.
tany, whittier the man. believing that
she had eloped. followed her. There
he meets his wife again, reconcila.
tlon, planned by the adopted daugh-
ter. follows, and everybody is happy.
OF course. Mr.. Drew, as the prodigal
husband, took first honors. He simpN
had to be John Drew and that was
sufficient. 1t went without saving that
his acting was fine and the interpreta.
lon of his role fine, but he had some.
what of a company that was far above
the average. For instance. there was
Ferie Godschalk, an eccentric comedian
long public favorite, who PLAYED tine
role of drunken roue who was cor.
tlnually getting in wrong and who
mad a faculty for proposing to evert
woman he met. Mr. Godschalk is
perennial bloomer and he, too. never
grows old or boresome.
Grace Carlyle, the injured wife. was
an instantaneous favorite. although
she appeared in but the last act. Her
intelligence and pleasing personality
won her a place at once in the esteem
of the audience. Little Helen HAYES
Brown, the adopted daughter in the
first act was winsome and intelligent.
and in the second act was succeeded
by Martha Hedmau, charming Young
actress who has learned her profession
in good school and gave it an added
grace by her intelligent rendition of
very difficult role. She is exceeding.
ly pretty and has charming stage
presence.
Rose Winter, as one of the fast
Partisan set had an unpleasant role,
but she made it very interesting by
her eleverness.
1t was a good company all the way
through, and it gave an even rendition
of the play that was enjoyed by every.
body. Most noticeable was the fact
that the star did not appropriate all
o. the fiat parts for himself, but
shared them with the others. which
is a Drew trait he inherited from his
mother. the famous managcress of by.
gone days, and famous as a star. II
was nice, neat, clean play well play.
ed. And yeti was French,