The Washington herald., 1914-11-17
By JULIA CHANDLER NAME.

When Willard Mack responded to the
insistent demand OF a brilliant audi
ence at the Columbia Theater last night
for a speech. he informed his auditors
that no matter how wise a woman is.
there is always in the world a male of
the species who is just a little bit
wiser, and in the statement summed
up the purpose OF his new drama, which
had it's premiere here last night.
so Much for So Much" is a domestic
comedy having for its central figure a
| beautiful young woman who believes
that her experience as a stenographer
in numerous Offices has given her an
insight into the varying methods OF
| men with whom the seduction of their
pretty young employees is habitual, and
that her knowledge will shield her from
walking into any trap. no matter now
cleverly laid.
Her betrothed, Tom Hughes, news
paper reporter, warns her against the
falIacy OF her theory, and implores her
to accept no attention from Steadman, the
wealthy broker for whom she is working.
but Mary ridicules his fears; informs him
that she has learned to give ESQ much
! for so much" and declares that the ac-
ceptance Of SteadmAn's attentions is
necessary to her business success.
The girl is quite sincere in her belief
that she has found the one man whose
| honor is unimpeachable; whose object In
his kindness to a young stenographer is
philanthropic. and whose motives are
above suspicion. and for her faith in him
she Quarrels with her sweetheart, COM
mands silence on the part Of her kindly
plebeian mother. her younger sister and
hoydenish brother.
Thus through two absorbing acts we
follow Mary Brennan's fortunes, sure that
I HI tn NTTNaa
will come to pass, despite the latters
smooth methods and apparent respect for
the girl.
The third act finds the scene shifted
from the Brennans' cheap fiat to Stead
mans bachelor apartments wbTe the
rich broker. assuming rheumatism, SENDS
for his pretty stenographer twice with
out departing from his thoroughly busi-
nesslike attitude, bat. on the third occa-
sion, shows his hand in a despicable
manner. at which time 1t is also brought
to light that his pleasant pastime OF
wrecking the lives Of young girls has
been long a habit. and the final curtain
leaves the audience to assume that the
barriers between Mary and Hughes
have been eternally swept away. while
Steadman glOats over the prospect OF
another victim even in the face OF
Hughes promise to publicly expose him
evidence of his criminality.
In so Much for So Much" Mr.. Mack
has written an absorbing story. and has
told it with admirable naturalness and
keen sympathy. althO the newer piece
does not contain the punch nor gain
the humor which characterized his story
of the underworld produced here about
a month ago under the title OF Birds
of Prey" which is now playing most sue
ICf
kick In The similarity Of the opening
scene in the Bremen fiat to that Of the
boarding house keeper in the earlier |
piece and the simple soul and her young |
daughter are so reminiscent Of characters !
in "IIIck In that one is lead to anticI- |
pate as rich a comedy vein in so Much |
For So Much as that which ran through |
the first play Mr.. Mack had ever produc- |
ed in the East.
Such a hope Is futile, however, Tor |
the comedy interest becomes submerged |
in Mary's battle against a losing game. !
the little sister goes out TO take ride |
in the subway with her fireman sweet |
heart, and never returns, and the drab |
little old woman whom Mary calls moth |
er and her teasing brother slip out OF |
the story before the final act leaving |
the girl. her sweetheart, and Steadman |
to bear the full bIunt OF the respon-
Mr.. Mack himself plays the role Of
Hughes and does it admirably. 1t is
the complete ease and naturalness OF his
fine portrayal of this character, and the |
sympathy, and sincerity
with which Marjorie Rambeau Cirs. Will
lard Macl) visualizes the girl Mary, that
holds the interest and attention OF the
auditor from curtain to curtain, and i'm
parts truth to the story told, although
Mr. Mack assured his auditors last night
Iwhen he stepped out Of his part to talk
in an interesting manner to them). that
so Much For So Much" is based upon
conditions which have come under his
personal observation, although he does
not wish 1t implied that every girl who
earns her bread in the business world is
subjected to humiliations similar to those
experienced by Mary Bremen.
This is Miss Rambeau's first pro-
fessional appearance in Washington,
and the portrait she painted of Mary
Brehnen was delightful in its freedom
from affection, its spirited coloring,
and its sympathetic conception. 1t
made an excellent companion picture
to Mr.. Mack's fine portrayal of the
reporter, and won the in
slant appreciation of a large audience.