The Detroit times., 1914-02-11
| | | | I I /
GARRICk

1AhhiC -.
TO Many Cooks. a new play by
Frank Craven. an actor who achieved
some distinction I'm past seasons Oy
his portrayal OF Jimmy Gilley. in
Bought and Paid For delighted a
large audience in the Garrick. Tues
day night. The Detroit opening was
practically the firs} hearing accorded
Mr., -CraYen,s- effnrt and IL the gen
erous and frequent applause Of It's
auditors may BE- taken az an indica-
ton, he has scored big hit
Although billed as a farce comedy
Too Many Cooks" deals with a very
real problem, and is more successful
In teaching a lesson than many con
temporary PLAYS which have been her
aided as illuminators OF ethical ques-
lions and correctors OF public morals
What's more, IL contains plenty Of
good, clean fun, aud points It's moral
without recourse 10 sermonizing.
The play concerns itself with me
troubles OF Albert Bennett and Alice
Cook, whose approaching marriage IS
all but shipwrecked by the interior
ence OF their numerous, well-meaning
friends and relatives, who insist ON
settling the details Of the new home.
The home itself rs seen in process OF
erection, the first act showing the
foundation. the second the frame
work and the third and last The com
pleted house
At each stage OF the construction
the prospective benedict is beset by
advisers who obliginsly offer 10 alter
his whole plans. Meek at hrst. the
young man finally decides that it's his
house after all, and serves notice on
his fiancee's numerous family, 10 keep
out This 80 offends her that the en-
gagement is broken Eventually, how.
ever Dotn come to see the necessity
| for living their own lives, and n
happy reconciliation takes place
The author. Mr. Craven. takes the
part OF Bennett and his characterize
tion is admirable. The varying shades
Of facial expression with which he
listens to the comments, advice. and
lupbraidings of the various Cooks. were
responsible for 80 Der cent OF the
evenings laughs.
lnez Plummer was winning Alice
Cook, and Eva Condor, as Ella Mayer.
friend OF Alice, gave perfect I'M
personation OF fresh" girl OF the
selfsuficient man.hating type.
John Cromwell does good work as
Frank Andrews, friend OF Bennett.
Jonathan Kiefe, as Simpson, a CON
tractor. Is responsible for as clever
bit Of character acting.
An interesting event will take place
in the Garrick tLeater Thursday after
noon, in. a special matinee perform
ance OF a new play by Charles Ram
Kennedy called The Decent Thing
To Do. given at this time by William
a. Brady, the Wcll-known New York
theatrical manager, in order 10 pro
tect his producipg rights 10 the play.
The company which presented The
Family Cupboard in the Garrick the
alter last week, viii present The De-
cent Thing To 10 resdming its tour
IN The Family Cupboard next week.
The current Garrick attraction, TOO
Many Cooks, 3 under Mr.. Brady Q
managerial wing also
Jack Reid, a veteran burlesque
comedian. will head the "Progressiv-
Girls" in the Cadillac theater next
week. The company includes A. Bon
| ham Bell. Willis Hall Harry Carr
! Larry Willing, James Bentley, Edward
! Davidson Eta Joerns. Lillian Lipp
man. Sallie Escher. Ella Reid Gilbert
! Pauline Palmer and Gertrude Craw-
| ford The show consists OF two snap
| py musical burlesques. "A Night in
Bohemia" and ar Saratoga as well
as diversified singing and dancing
numbers and specialties. A special
feature will be "fhe Mystery Moon
Girl" IA electrical novelty with Miss
Ioerns as the moon girl" The bath
! ing girls. tango. and Scotch mum
Der, are other features of the show.
/ Because be has comedy way that
is all his own. Dilly w Watson, who
! comes 10 the Gayetv theater next
/ weeA az the head Of The Girls from
| Happylaud is always sure OF wei
come from Gayety patrons The com
pany Is largely new one this year.
and a new farce comedy will be pre-
scented IN which the comedy genius OF
/ Billy w Watson will be the bic at
traction. There are a lot OF pretty
girls. OF course and the musical num-
bers count ND a score or more
stop Thief" which comes TO the
Detroit opera house. Monday evening"
| Nov. Is. Is unique IN many respects.
and deals with the fortunes OF two
kleptomaniacs aud regular crook.
The trio Is first introduced during
the prologue 20 u marriage ceremony,
IN stately mansion. IN Providence.
K. J. The master OF the house has q
morbid jesire to steal everything port
able and fate has brought 10 his door
az prospective son-ln-law. a young