The Washington times., 1915-11-16
NATIONAL,
U6T 40 everyone was bemoanins
the fact that John Drew had

II
the fact that John Drew had
~ not signiied . return to the
stage this fall. tho announce
ment was made that he was to appear
in . nav play. The Chief" by Horace
Annsslay vacheli. which had its pre-
miere performance last night at the
National Theater.
Mr. Drew In The role Of Lord Yester,
the eligible widower. who marries his
frst love despite the plots and counter
plots Of the feminine members Of his
family. is as satisfying as ever. playing
with a surety and cspability of touch
which seems always to put the entire
company At ease.
Laura Hope Crews. In the role Of Mrs.
vansittart. the widow whose sudden ap-
psaranoe In England 10 Just in time to
save Yestsr from the wtles Of the Bar
gus family. his ''in-laws' by Q dead
wife. is,an excellent foil for Mr.. Drew.
True TO the accepted style Of eligible
Engiishman, The Chief" Lord Yester,
manages TO engineer his own romance
successfully although In concerted effort
Mrs. Bargus and her daughter Emily.
mother and sister. respectively Of his
former wife. Alicia Bsrsus. strain every
nerve 70 keep him In the family.
Ten ysars previous 10 the time when
the play opens. Yester had fallen in
love with the Cynthia who afterward
became Mrs. vansittart. but through
q deception Of the part Of Mrs. BarEus.
ne 10 convinced that she loves another.
and so marries Alicia Bargus. That
unhappy lady dies carly. and Emily
Bargus Is left in practical possession
Of the homo Of Yester. All goes well
and Mrs. Barsus is almost sure Of her
catch for Emily when the first cloud
appears on the horizon.
The appearance Of Daphne. the young
and charming ward Of Yester. fresh
from her school in France. OFFERS n
crave problem, but Mrs. BarSus Ia as
sured by Yester that he intends her
for someone else. This cloud. however.
for Mrs. Vansittart. tho former Cynthia,
whom Yester really loves, appears. asks
for help and In Installed as secretary.
How she - accused Of misrepresent-
ing some pearls. and then In turn OF
Bsrsus. make tie last act Of the play
quito thrilling. and OFFER sufficient COM
plications Of situation to keep John
Drew busily employed.
Although tho Same observnt tion on the
Ihte cIIOTt VI .-'
made on his "ouinneys" now playing
successfully In New York. may be
made. to wit-'that Mr.. yachelrs play
IL slight. but II 10 charming. and adds
one more TO the number OF really excel
lent plays from which the public may
now take its choice"-one hesitates over
calling II English comedy. For this play
IL about as near TO the sheridan Eng
lish comedy. an accepted standard some
years ago. we believe. as water Is hke
wine.
However the dialogue Of ''The Chief"
10 very clever. fresh and spontaneous.
1t II above all things a natural play.
played by natural people. Even II the
crisis and climax are crowded together
In q very excellent last act. leaving the
dialogue to largely support the first
two Of its own weight. nobody cares.
for the cast 10 good enough to make
said dialogue very strong indeed.
George Graham and Consuelo Bailey
were we'll cast a. the youthful sweet
hearts Thais LAwton. IN the vapfd role
Of tho woman who wanted him and did
not get him. was acceptable. Katherine
steward as the designing female-in-law
was convincing. Minor parts are ca
pably handled. r. Z.