The Washington herald., 1915-01-12
NATIONAL.
"Potash and PerImutter."

| What many will believe to be the
cleverest comedy of the season, Potash
and Perlmutter," received a splendid in
dorsement from a representative audience
at the National Theater last night
Montague Glass stories in the Satur-
| day Evening Post have been treated by
/ a sympathetic hand, and the two princi-
pal characters, Abe Potash and Mawruss
Perlmutter, the Jewish firm of whole
sale dealers on small margins and little
capital, with their chickering's and recon-
citations, and their petty office intrigues
and characteristic dealings are a source
of great interest and amusement
Abe" Potash anL "Mayruss" PERL
mutter are depicted with the same keen
exposition as in the tales, their finer,
nObler qualities OF heart are outstand-
ing. and the auditor is sent away with
warm admiration for the kindly gem
erosity of their natures. One may laugh
and laugh, as one cannot help doing, a
the oddities and downright funniness
OF the two merchants, but running all
through is the lett motif of their gem
tie, sympathetic souls, their simplicity
and purity of thought and their love
OF intense loyalty to their kind.
The story by which the incidents are
held together for three energetic acts
deals with a young Russian refugee
who finds place as bOOkkeeper with
the firm of Potash & Perlmutter. He
falls in love with IrTna Potash, who re-
turns his love, and Potash heartily ap-
proves the proposed match. But about
this time Boris is arrested under an ex-
tradition and is to be sent back to Rus
sia on a charge Of political murder.
Boris is released on $4,000 bail, fur
nished by Potash and Perlmutter, who
engage Senator Murphy to fight the eN-
tradition. II Boris is sent to Russia his
days are numbered, and the goOd-natured,
blundering, Potash, actuated by a strong
paternal instinct and believing Murphys
confident statement that there is a flaw
in the papers which eXempts the firm
from paying the bail bond In case Boris
disappears. prompts the young Russian
to jump his bond and fly to Canada.
CONSERVATION seizes the firm when the
flaw in the papers is corrected and the
bond becomes a lawyer-proof lien on its
assets and resources. The ludicrous
despair of the two ruined men is one of
the amusing elements OF the situation.
but delightful touch OF relief is intro
duced in the display Of loyalty Of Perl
mutter for his partner in the moment of
their mutual ruin.
When things are at their worst Boris
returns to give himself up. rather than
see his benefactors wiped out: but sim
ultaneously the American Ambassador to
Petrograd cables that Boris innocence
has been established in Russia, and ALI
ends happily.
The play owes its success less to the
rather conventional story, which resem-
bles somewhat David Warfield's "Auc-I
tiOneer," than to the fine humor with
which II is embellished. This not only
in the form Of bright sallies. as when
Potash comments that because one Of
his drummers charges up $3.50 in his ex-
pense account for meal, he must have
dined on gold fish, and many others as
good, but in the fidelity with which the
more or less eccentric characters are
drawn.
One of the strong points in favor Of
the piece is the excellent cast. Too |
much cannot be said in praise of the |
work last night of Julian Rose and |
Julius Tannten as the lovable partners. |
They are well nigh inimitable in their
separate roles. The remaining parts |
were all exceedingly we'll portrayed. |
Carolyn Lila was a most attractive and
efficient designer for the firm and Helen |
Salinger was a picturesque Mrs. Potash. |
Harry HanlOn was the shrewd, double |
dealing lawyer to the life, and Leo Dom |
nelly and Maurice Barrett were two !
breezy drummers that kept things NOV
ing. The play has not a dull moment |
from start to finish.