The Washington times., 1914-12-29
AT THEATERS THIS WEEK
BELASCO.

While it was easily understood how
there could be TOO Many Cooks" for
the comfort and convenience of the
sorely tried hero of the play of that
name, there was not single Cook too
many for the most complete and salts
flying entertainment of one of the
largest audiences the Belasco has held
this season, where Frank Craven pre-
scented his drama last evening with a
company of skillful associates. Some
years ago, when Mr.. Craven was To-
Gated in Washington. the prediction
was freely made that the young man
would become an actor some day-of
limited capacity. il is true-but still an
actor. One Of the very best things the
friends Of young actors do is to pre-
dict great futures for them, but Mr.
Craven's friends. though most sympa-
1het'c, were not enthusiastic And none
of them would have even limited that
the young man might become a play
wright
The play at the Belasco this week Is
the very best demonstration in the
world that Mr.. Craven is BON an actor
and playwright. Further than this
as a playwright who does not hesitate
TO take an idea that is as old as the
hills and so dress il than half the peo-
pie who see it presented will declare it
entirely new. When a young man can
DO that he deserves all the praise and
patronage the public can give him. And
there is no doubt in the world that Mr..
raven has done exactly that in Too
Many Cooks
It is entirely new to work out the
hcuor OF a play In the construction of
suburban home, and TO time the acts
OF the play with the various stages OF
construction of the house beginning
with the foundations and ending with
the finished product. That is what the
audience at a production of Too Many
Cooks" sees. What It hears is the reel
young woman of ordinary circum-
stances who become engaged and start
10 build a house. The young woman is
one of very large family, and has an
intimate friend. The young man has
small family-only an uncle, TO be ex-
act-out his intimate friend is just as
intimate. The young Woman's name is
Cook By the time her mother and
rather and brothers and sisters and
GuntS get through with suggestions. as
10 how the house shall be built her in
Innate friend takes a turn telling her
how TO manage her sweetheart. On the
young mans side, when his uncle has
completed his directions as to how he
wants things done, the intimate friend
makes suggestions as to the way the
future wifes family should be dealt
with. II isn't necessary to recapitulate
any of the complications that follow,
the circumstances are sufficient to pro-
vide a common garden Imagination
sufficient material to work upon. II
might be added that the building was
further hampered by a strike of car
penters. and that the young man lost
his Job in his uncle's business. and also
his sweetheart. in addition to being COM
PEELED to finish the house himself
Frank Craven, as has been intimated.
wrote Too Many Cooks and to make
sure that the piece would be presented
properly. plays the principal part. He
gives genuine picture of just the type
OF young man who would attempt the |
Job this young man attempts, and get
away with it. There is not a moment |
when the work of Mr.. Craven becomes |
anything but one of the most natural |
character studies that has been seen
here for many weeks. Inez Plummer.
as the sweetheart; Mary Blythe, as her
Intimate friend; Harry Davies. ST., as
Father Cook. and Louise Rial. as
Mother Cook. were the important fig 1
ures in cast that seemed unusually =,
well balanced and quite capable.
GARDNER MACK.