The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-02-03
BEI.Asco.
as1arryi.s a1e.ey."

After i've weeks spent Id small towns
In an effort to wear OF the rough edges
Of first production. Marrying Money"
satiricai comedy in three acts. repre-
Pezet and Bertram Marburgh. had tts
FIRST metropolitan presentation in the
Bs,asco Theater last night.
A brilliant audience. including the
President and many members Of the
diplomatic corps. did honor TO this, the
hrst serious dramatic effort OF the son
OF the Peruvian Minister. and never were
more loyal friends spendthrift Of en-
thusiasm. ignoring the fact that applause
was being showered upon the efforts OF
a mediocre cast, presenting but a triflins
piece.
The story opens at a summer resort on
the coast of Maine, where r. Lyman
Niles. a Wall Street Spectator OF sup
posedly great wealth. unfolds the tale OF
his utter ruin to his socially ambitious
wife and daughter, whereupon the moth
er drags her daughter into a promise
TO marry for money. the opportunity
seeming easily available IN the announce
ment of the prospective visit of the enor-
mously wealthy Mr.. Vanderpoel and his
aunt.
Young vanderpoel arrives with his
chum, Jimmie Sweeney, and falls easy
victim to the charms Of the designing
Miss Niles Follows an elopment, and
the honeymoon at q small mountain inn.
where both parties to the marriage
learn that the motive which has prompt
ed each has been the same, but un-
fortunately the girl has married the
wrong Mr.. Vanderpoel, he of another
and very poor branch of the family, and
SO they find themselves with their Ger
man landlord demanding his money,
while there is not penny between them.
Ia at ia1 IN, fto LOT frr
rafting good comedy. but the three
acts are SO cluttered with unnecessary
detail, and SO interlarded with satire
against Washington society which seems
out of harmony with the general inten-
ton of the drama, that the whole thing
misses fire.
One is bored through the first act: rest
less through the rantins Of the second;
and mildly amused through the third, all
of which is not the fault OF the authors
alone. however. for seldom has a play
been So persistently miscast.
VIII Deming, whose excellent acting in
The Fortune Hunter" for three seasons
won him a host OF admirers, was ad-
vertised for the leading male role. but he
is seen in the minor Characterization of
Jimmie Sweeney, part which gives him
small chance, while William Roselle is
young Vanderpoel, distant relative of the
Real Vanderpoels." giving a natural, If
somewhat uneven, performance.
Miss Nan Campbell, who was last seen
in this city with Kitty Gordon, in 1.-THE
Enchantress." has the leading feminine
role, bringing to 1t a girlish charm, that
It delightful Miss Campbell is distinctly
an engenue, however, which accounts for
her complete failure to grasp any of the
emotional possibilities Of the Pexet- Mar
burgh comedy.
Surprising was IL to lind Miss JuIietts
Day mtserably miscast a. . catfish little
gossip. q fact which her former exquisite
work in this city in the title role of
Snow Bird" makes us eager to forget
The one characterization which is de- /
serving unstinted praise Ia that Of Oscar /
Schlegemflch, landlord of the Inn, Dor
trayed by Alfred de Bail. whose really /
excellent work in the third act bolstered |
up the interest OF the audience to a.
marked degree
The less said of the minor members of |
contribute nothing to the credit Of the |
performance.
The piece has been carefully staged by |
Robert Milton and L. receiving its pre-
sentation at the hands Of Gilbert Miller
son Of Henry Miller.
1t IL impossible to predict what might /
have been the result last night had this |
comedy of American life been presented |
by q company Of players chosen with |
some respect to their fitness for their |
respective roles.
As matters stand now the acting d.
vests the piece Of the red blood Of real |
ism. strips the comedy element Of its ef- /
fectiveness, and sounds only false notes /
in moments when the playwrights OBJ
viously intended tense emotionalism.
JULIA C. MANI.