The sun., 1914-08-26

rIhc Ugh Cost " Loving" Republic
Theatre,

T.a Republic TtcHtrc. which knew its
'5.. .... u.3.r ,I" consuiship OF David
ut,... v,s lt-t night opened by a
ILL., " .ut- v5o BE- HOW IN control ot two
taoat,,. vh,h my smile or frown
H,rss T,.,}-srcond street at each other
as bu.r. So happens to be good or bad
lew Field, Nas the particular star OF
The High IS. ot Low ng." which was
the dlst means of presenting MIR. Fields
q, tae puu.. VS. tHoJt the aid and comfort
of music. FRANK Mandel had adapted
Tn, ulph cost uf Loving from IA Ger
mau original The piece bore all the ear
Jla. H. II rs orig n.
The Gc.m.n i.Calty IN which the action
originally pl.sct had been transfer med
INTO town In the m ddle West. 1t was
~ possible 20 emphasize the narrow
ross u the lie there quite as much as the
thesis Of the play demands. since there
Is no mllleu In this country that represents
the sam. stuffy pTovinclalipm TO be found
iv towns " the same s'se In Europe.
The smallest Of our cities has a wider
Ire d,u ~ vision and more vitality this
a especially true Of the West.
But was IN the West that pros
porous manufacturer of mustard lived un-
der the benign tyranny OF his wife. In
one respect he had always been inde-
pendent of her domination lie would
never i0in .hc Purity League of his town.
Hut this oprosit on disappears when he
leans chat certain highly respected
hu; unnamed citizen is 10 be the next
subject OF the lea ague's investlgat ons.
TIE conduct past or present. OF the mem
bcrs of this organic tion Is never in
ves'ga'ed So II this assurance OF
immunity from a revelation of his past
that leads tie happy mustard maker 10
toned facts I'm connection with this highly
placed malefactor correspond with cpl
sofos In the life of the hero. II Is none
Of his doing that his wife In her delight
~ receiving him a. member OF the
Purity League Immediately has him ap.
pointed chairman of the investigating
committee
All Of the premises 10 "The High Cos,
~ Loving" are II will be seen. through
and through German. Rut the situatior
from VIII ch the play depends Is undoubt
edly ingenious Having arrived at pros
pcr'ty and Importance man might bs
called upon TO Investigate the conduct
~ person he has every reason to be-
u eve may he himself. II l. only the
fa"' that 10 IL member Of the Purity
League that saves him. Being SO ingcn-
lous such r. situation naturally lacks
novelty But { T. none the less effective
FOR that reason and It placed Mr.. Fields
IN Just the right sort of a role to revea
hls talents { their hest.
NJ. Fieldss admirers laughed heartily
AZ the prcd'caments In which he foun,
himself and his comic forcc--'f we ma,
dare 10 render Wis comica IN the vernac
ular--was quite az potent as II ever wa
when Spangled cohorts OF show girl
formed his accustomed background. III
never needed them for he IL a born com
ed'an and an artist by experience. Their,
were of course times when the laughte
suggested the cracking OF thorns under
pot But that Is not to be avoided oi
friendly FIRST nights. just how rampan
ne uncoucealed mirth will be to-ngh
10 cannot say. II would be "A much NOR
d'f'rult matter to prophesy how man.
enthusiastic laughcrs there will be to
morrow night.