The Washington herald., 1914-11-03
NATIONAL.
Fannie Ward In MADAM Presi-
dent.D

Fannie ward In MADAM PreaI-
dent"
Except In one single scene in Madam
President" the Hennequin and Weber
farce, which had its first Presentation at
the National Theater last night, not
much is left to the imagination Of the
spectator. In this II differs from a very
large number OF French productions.
There are two distinctly disrobing
acts In no less distinguished a
place than the private ofice Of the min
ister Of justice; also there are several
more or less veiled double entendres;
mais, celia tout. CThe very choice and
pure Partisan interpreted with the YER
nacular are employed to lend vraisem-
blance to the recital of what has been
heralded as something very risque.) Well,
the exception above noted II the scene in
which the minister Of justice and Gobette,
alias the pet OF the harem," bid each
other sundry tender goodnights. each
holding . candle-the sole agents OF illu-
rnination-snd finally blow both talIoW-
dips, as the curtain falls.
All this Is brought about in the
home of President Galipaux, to whose
house Gobette has come in great wrath
because he has had her turned out OF
the hotel in the little French country
town on account Of her somewhat
boisterous free and easy conduct with
number Of gentlemen the night be-
fore. She informs him that she in
tends to occupy his wife's room, that
lady having gone to Paris to intercede
with the minister of justice for her
husbands promotion. While Galipaux,
most vIrtuous gentleman, Is en-
deavoring to get her out OF the house,
the minister OF justice, Gaudet, ar
riVes. Gobette. arrayed in be-
wltching robe de chambre, property Of
Nine. Gallpaux, enters, is introduced as
the lady OF the house and invites
Gaudet to remain overnight. The in
vitation Is accepted-of course-and
after divers preliminary love passages
the Aforesaid candle contretemps
takes place.
In the next sot Gobette comes to Paris
to Gaudet's office, Monster le Minlstre
becomes SO impetuous in his lovemaking
that he tears on Gobette's dress and
she stands revealed In some highly Or
namental and abbreviated lingerie. In
this she slxips about without much en-
barassment, but in order to make her
exit possible Gaudet induces Madame
Galipaux, who has come TO his ofice and
whom he supposes to be q servant, to
take of her clothes for Gobette's bene-
fit. This Is done and Madame Galipaux
appears in q startling costume Of red
petticoat and red and white striped stock
ings The finale Of the whole business
Is SO absurdly ridiculous as to give to
the whole the real French farce touch.
Gobette grows sentimental. and Mon
seur lie Ministre offers her his heart and
hand in proper form. and is accepted
also of course.
BY the way, all the entanglements in
the minister's ONCE are set In scene by
Marius, chief usher at the ministry, who
has a private grudge against his supe-
rior and takes especial delight in caus-
ing the latter all the trouble imaginable.
Fanny Ward is as chic as ever. Her
blond beauty, her lissome form, and nat
ural sprighliness ht her admirably for
the INSTALLATION Of the gay Gobette. And
as beauty, for, and springhtliness are
about all that Is required in this partic-
ular 1t Is not surprising that the audi
ence Is more than satisfied. Likewise
Amy Lee as Mime. Galipaux presents that
lady both with and without proper ap-
pareI In q highly amusing and entertain
ing manner. Harry J. Ashford is eminent
ly real In the character Of the virtuous
old president Galipaux, while John W.
Dean makes Gaudet as Lothario- like as
the most indurated lover Of French farce
could desire. W. J. Ferguson as Marius
1T His grimaces alone are worth the
price OF admission. Alice Kelly as De-
mise, Galipaux's daughter, who can speak
only German, and whose love scene with
Octave Rosemond, Gaudets secretary
Charles Latte, Is carried on through the
mediation OF an interpreter Burton
Southgate); Emily Hampton as Yvonne,
an old flame Of Gaudet's; Harriet Trench
as Sophie, maid In Galipaux's home; and
George Brennan as Bienasses, and unfor-
tunate clerk at the ninistry-these car
ried their full share In the rounding out
OF the performance.