The Washington herald., 1915-01-05
NATIONAL.
"The ProdIEaI Husband"

In so far as John Drew has become an
established national institution rather
than merely an actor, it must be expected
that the patrons who keep the concern
going will not debate whether John
Drew's new play Is worth going to Sec
hut will go to see il whether the play is
suitable for John Drew or not. 1t was no
ticeable that the audience at the Natnonal
Theater last night had a better sprinklinG
than usua! of gray heads; many of the
elderly people no doubt had followed from
year to year for more than a generation
the long series of likable characters that
have been illumined by Mr.. Drews mel
low and satisfying art. The partnership
between Mr.. Drew and his public shows
no signs Of breaking up. His perform
ance last night was masteTful and the at
tendance most cheering.
The Prodigal Husband" is a comedy
in three acts adapted from the French
of Dario Niccodemi by Michael Morton.
but not so far adapted as to alter the
thoroughly French flavor of the theme
and its treatment Mr.. Drew plays the
part of Michel GirouX, a prosperous busi-
ness man of middle age, whose disagree
ment with his wife has fostered the
cynical side of his nature and led him
into sportive paths at variance with his
better inclinations. He makes his en-
trance with a bibulous companion after
a night of gayety, and misses an ap-
pointment with a certain Madame Cleo.
whose veXation is expressed with signifi-
cant freedom. An interview with his
lawyer reveals the situation with respect
to his absent wife and he announces his
determination TO get a divorce and to
SO to the devil in his own way.
His festive, but downward, career is in
terrupted by the sudden thrustinE into
his hands of the little daughter of his
concierge whose death has left her un-
supported. Captivated by the child's
beauty and innocence. he drops his mask
of cynicism and brutality and the scene
closes with the man and the child eager
Iy examining a collection of toys that
he has hastily sent for with a view to
her consolation.
The second act finds Simone a beauti-
full young woman of twenty. calling her
patron papa" and blossoming under the
tutelaGC of the austere Nine. ManCt.
Through some rather discOherent cpl
sodes a situation is reached by which
the position Of Simonc in the household
is rendered questionable in the eyes OF
the world. while at the same time she is
suspected by her foster
father of romantic affair with his sec
rotary 4 man alleging himself TO be her
true father lays claims to her. GirOuX
resolves that she must go at once to
convent school. but instead she runs
away to the home of his wife, where
the third act is laid
Now by all the conventions of the An
Elo-SaNon stage the way is clear for
reconciliation of husband and wife, TO
complete the rescue of the prodigal from
his evil course through the innocence of
purity and his ward. MaisnOn, the au-
thor, has cunningly led the spectator
along that line of thought. only to fur
nish him a surprise of Gallo piquancy.
The wife, it seems, though a reputcd
saint, has her own cyniCLsms and is most
eager for divorce. That much granted.
the romantic. but not altogether salts
fying end. becomes inevitable.
Little Miss Helen Hayes Brown. rs
the childish Simone of the tirstr act. was
enthusiastically received by the audience
of her home city and thoroughly deserved
all the plaudits given to her acting.
Miss Bertha Hedman, as the grown-up
Simone. proved to be a most delightful
new acquaintance and charmed not only
by her delicate and refreshing personality
but by the cleverness of her perform
Gncs
ferdinand Gottschalk. as the alec holic
Charles Ravel, gives a delicious touch
Of low comedy to the production. the en-
tire cast is of a high standard, all the
members being chosen for their parts
with nicely and with most successful re-
suit.