Evening journal., 1914-01-27
TOO MANY COOKS"
TEMPTING MORSEL
Frank CTaVeR'S New Human
Play enthusiastically Re-
CeiVed at Playhouse

Too Many Cooks" turned out a
tempting morsel at The Playhouse
last night It was the first public
performance Of the new play by hat
name written by Frank Craven, who
created the role of Jimmy Gilley" in
Bought and Paid For" and who
played the principal part last night
The Playhouse was filled for the per
formance. and It was a matter for
qualification to William A. Brady,
lessee OF the theatre, and to John S.
Hale, the manager, that the audience
was the largest that has greeted the
first performance of any play in VIII
mington. That the audience was
pleased was evident from the great
applause. The production was as
smooth as II il had been before the
public for some time. Mr.. Brady
was accompanied from New York by
Charles c. Brown, broker Of that
city, who formerly lived in Whining
ton.
TOO Many Cooks" Is entitled to
the distinction Of being different
II any play is, II Is different In
stage setting, and IL Is diffeernt in
that IL is such a natural human story
that the suggestion is given of very
little acting on the part OF the large
company, vher as matter OF fact
IL is the most difficult kind OF acting
that of individuals trying TO prove
true TO the natural. Briefly, II Is a
story built about the matrimonial
ambitions OF Albert Bennett" and
Alice Cook" In fact, Il is a con-
structive story throughout Albert
and Alice have decided TO marry, and
are building a home I'm the country
I They have agreed as to its details
/ but Alice has about q dozen brothers
and sisters. all of whom wish TO Ia
corporate their ideas into the new
house. Albert has a wealthy uncle
who desires to live with them, has
offered Albert a fine position, and IL
| to give them a wedding present o
thousands. who also has some suB'
gestons for improving the house.
/ general quarrel results over the ideas
of the uncle and the many Cooks. Th'
wedding is called or, and to add e
Albert's troubles, a strike takes place
on his home. But he finishes th'
house. and in his depression at losinl
! Alice decides to sell It. But every
thing comes out all right and he an'
Alice become reconciled, and hi
chum, Frank Andrews" woman
hater. and her chum, ELLA Mayer,
man hater, decide TO wed, and Al
bert's uncle and Minnie whom h
had picked out as a fitting wife 70
! Albert also decide to become one
The curtain falls with everybod
happy. after the "for sale" sign J
taken from the house and demolished
The first act shows the cottag
foundation. the second shows IN
partly finished house, and the thir
act shows Il entirely finished. Tn
scenes are true in every way, an
the lines and situations are brimfu
of comedy and bright lines. Nj
Craven was master of his par
Z funny in a quiet way, and very M
! tural in his portrayal OF Naryin
moods. Inez Plummer, as Alice
also was splendid with her actin
5 and sweet to behold John Cron
81 well as Albert's blase chum, and Mii
Eva Condor as Alice's opinionate
: companion. also delighted with the
interpretations. The remainder
the company, many of whom do M
have a speech throughout the pla,
ai filled in we'll in the picture and sit'
ations. Altogether II is huma
play, with many logical touches Or
that appealed was when the carpei
ters dropped work as soon as n
! noon whistle blew. II New York r.
ceives "Too Many Cooks" as eI
Enthusiastically as Wilmington did la
night, there will be a big public aI
netitn for amusement satisfied.