The Washington times., 1916-01-11
Plays and Players at Capital
Theaters This Week
NATIONAL.

That the scenery in America is not
the only phase of this country with
which Its Inhabitants are unfamiliar
was proven by the outgoing crowds
AT the National Theater last night.
"here "Erstwhile Susan" the new
comedy vehicle of Mrs. Fiske, drama
tized by Marian DE Forest from the
novel "Barnabetta," by Helen Martin,
was produced for the FIRST time.
| All intimate glimpse irto the life of
the Dreary family, inhabitants of Rein
hartH station, In Pennsylvania, initiated
! more than one patron into the mys-
teries of the Pennsylvania Dutch ver-
sich OF the English language and the
| outlook upon life as interpreted by th4
Mennonites.
Juliet Miller, crstwhile Susan Miller,
| played by Mrs. F'iske, did not HE from
'he country Of the hook and eye breth.
erh' as the Mcnnonites are sometimes
| called, but claimed for her home town
Cedar Center, Iowa. This place, how
ever, she had left. several years before
The story opened. quite unexpectedly. on
account of an affair dc coeur which
softencd, saddened. and turned the
course of her whole future life. From
an ambitious young woman with ycarn-
| ings toward great success upon the
stage, she became quoting. hopeful.
J philosopher living one day at a time,
no more no less.
This delincation Mrs. Fiske has per-
| fectcd until 1t IS difficult to ina g!ne
that she herself Is not the unsuccessful,
overdressed, lovable Juliet. who was
visionary enough 20 attempt the trans
| formation of Pennsylvania Dutch fam
| lily into less radical persons, but who
was OF sufficient sterling character TO
ha ,t.,l,t 90 L.
| house, Barnabetta, from the life of a
slavey.
Although half of the interest in the
| story centers about Barnabetta, Mrs.
Fiske has a role which does not clint
nate her from the stage or from the
action. and most generous portion of
the production falls into her hands.
| The role of Barnabetta is interpreted
| both in voice and movement, typihes the
downtrodden, overworked daughter.
| The Barnaby Dreary. however. of
John Cope, is next to the work OF Mrs.
that the workings of the plot necessi.
| tated his concrete removal from the eye
! at the end of the second act. AS the
| tight-fisted father of the house OF
| Dreary he Is most satisfying.
| The story opens on the living room
| of the Dreary family, with Barnahy and
Abel Butcher. the hotel keepers son.
played by John DAILY Murphy, in close
| 'odT'ldDS COn1pSScS tndt
| he feels for gittin' married" and that
| he has applied TO "A matrimonial agency
| for wife. completed negotiations, and
Is expecting the woman that same day.
When he discovers she Is the lady
lecturer. Juliet Miller. dressed in ruff
| fled blue silk, and carrying a wee par
| asol, also distractingly bcruffled, he is
astonished, but blindly faithful to mis-
belief in his power to break and con-
quer any female.
| How in the course OF q few weeks. bv
| gentle persistensce. unfailing good hu-
| NOR, and endless quotations. inter
spersed with conversation hich though
| delectable to the audience is far over
the head OF Barnaby, Juliet succeeds
in getting Barnabetta away to school,
and Of having curtains put up at the
| windows mot to mention having Erli0y
| Haversack do the washinS) Is revealed
| i'm act ii.
| The young lawyer, who manages the
modest fortune of juliet, played by
Edward Haas Robins, falls in love with
| Barnabetta and provides the male bar
rer against which Juliet occasionally
| leans when the Dreary forces prove
| too much for her.
| The only point in the whole comedy
which might be omitted is The touch in
| the last act which transforms Juliet
| from a trump into a well-d"essed wCm-
an. The frumpiness is half of her
| charm.
| Edward Robins as Judge Jordan is
pleasing. Several years ago he ap-
peared as leading man Of the ColIn-
bia Players. Minor parts are well cast
FLORENCE +. YODEE.