New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-01
lanes Forbes Puts a "Flivver'
on Broadway and Makes
q Hit.
"Thc show shop" 4 play by James
Forbes. 40 the Hudson.


Those Of as who enjoy bright, slangy
dialogue and rather unusual love
story VIII be certain 20 welcome James
Torhcs's new comedy "The Show
~ro0." which was presented last night
az tre Hudson. As for that great par
o. the public who own 20 an Unsuitable
desire Go "sce how things work. and
The stu greater mass Of theatregoers
who tevour Sunday stories about the
ryes and habits of player folk they
will Gust love- the play.
J.. I~ taiuE Of the theatre, 10 be
sure. bat ts appeal is likely 70 be gen
,ral. because OF its braclng, humorous
DIALOGUE. the irresistible cleverness Of
10, plot and the splendid playing Of the
cast. headed UF our hero, Douglas FAIR
banks. who mas never yet lost out IN
plav with O. love scene.
The plot concerns the struggles Of
our hero. tle wealthy clubman, MI
Fairbanks. to win the heroine, Patricia
Cou.r-c. She is an actress Of sorts
and has dominating mother. who
owns al the family ambition. Mother
WON'T Dee Patricia marry Douglas. She
must pursue her profession and become
Broad way star. Patricia gets an en-
CaC.uer- ir n poor play, and Douglas
takes o. small part TO be near her. The
rav goes 90 smash 10 PunXatawney,
p-nr blt this brings our hero no
nearer marriage, for mother Will not
give .a until Patricia has had a Broad
way chance.
Brc.. Idea strikes Douglas. He
rar. tre manager 90 pick rotten show
Ind ...r Patricia az any cost. This
-. Goes. and Douglas finds himself
obliged 60 play leading man. ne
show goes on for'its first night ln New
York. and who oueers the whole thing?
Who. indeed. but our hero, Douglas.
lie is the worst rotten actor that eyer
appeared TO- "a Broadway first night. 80.
Of course. he gets Patricia IN the end.
This Outline Of the plot does little
Justice TO the interesting and clever
manner iu which Mr.. Forbes, the real
PLAYWRIGHT. has constructed the curl
rss combination Of the "Show Shop
itself and the play that is being re-
Ie.rsaf and presented. We say the
zeal author because The Drop Of Pol
sor" bad an author all 10 itself, and
be was "a splendid carlcature OF the
real thing seen on occasion at hrst
The cast. Of course, had a great deal
20 DO with the warm welcome gwen
-The Show Shop last night, Tor 1t was
am unusually good one, and played the
serious business Of rehearslng
"f.vver" with such consistency. and
earrestness that the humor OF the
lines was fairly doubled IN effect.
Douglas Fairbanks was his usual
blovar. self Sometimes grim and IN
deadly Carrc-trcss. and others beam
ing and good humored. We doubt If ne
.a. ever been seen IN 50 amusing a
scene as his reEcarsals as the Leading
man however. JIG made the part q
rorr!G spectacle calculated TO break
tlc rcaft Of the most hardened author.
Patricia Collinge plays well with Mr..
Fairbanks and made a charming nero
ne Zelda Sears gave the role or the
STAGE mother q very realistic touch.
Her skin ae a player makes her ap-
nearance ever welcome. Edna Aug
played the slaugy Office accountant well
and Ned Sparks had his revenge on
stage directors for ~ time. George
drey's Ro.enbaum, the theatrical
manager. was extremely funny and
somewhat reminiscent. Olive May and
William Sampson were both admirable
as the loving couple rather down on
+beir luck. The entire cast, in fact,
seemed able. and Mr.. Forbes should be
grateful for the spirit they added 10
his lines.
one can be quite certain that a visit
IN the Hudson Theatre will prove thor
oughly enjoyable, and we recommend
% most heartily TO the stage struck
youth who thinks that acting IS all
beer and skittles.