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


That the scenery in America lie not
the only phase OF this country with
which It's Inhabitants are unfamiliar
was proven by the outgoing crowds
at the National Theatef last night.
where 'Erstwhile Susan" the new
comedy vehicle of Mrs. Fiske, drama
tlzed by Marian De Forest from the
novel 'Barnabetta," by Helen Martin,
WAS produced for the FIRST time.
An intimate glimpse into the life of
the Dreary family, inhabitants of Rein
hartz station, in Pennsylvania. initiated
more than one patron into the mys-
teries of the Pennsylvania Dutch ver-
sion OF the English language and the
outlook upon life as interpreted by th9
Mennonites.
Juliet Miller. erstw.lile Susan Miller
played by Mrs. Fiske, did not HE from
the country Of the hook and eye breth!
ern, as the Mennonites 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 de occur which
softened, saddened. and turned the
course OF her whole future life. From
an ambitious young woman with yearn-
ings toward great success upon the
stage. she became quoting, hopeful,
philosopher living one day at time,
| no more no less.
| This delineation Mrs. Fiske has per-
| fected until II Is difficult to ina CINE
| that she herself Is not the unsuccessful,
| oyerdressed, lovable Juliet, who was
| visionary enough 20 attempt the trans
| formation of a Pennsylvania Dutch fam
| lily into less radical persons, but who
was. of sufficient sterling character to
i n - 1t. -.
house. Barnabetta, from the life of a
1 slavey.
Although half of the interest In the
| story centers about Barnabetta, Mrs.
| Fiske has 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
| excellently by Madeline Delmar, who.
both in voice and movement, typihes the
downtrodden, overworked daughter.
The Barnaby Dreary, however, OF
John Cope, is next to the work of Mrs.
Fiske herself. 1t was disappointment
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
| conversation. f5aT1aDy COnIeSSeS tnaI
he feels for gittin' married." and that
| he has applied TO a matrimonial agency
for a 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 bcruf1ed, he is
astonished. but blindly faithful to his
belief in his power to break and con-
quer any female.
How in the course Of a few weeks, by
gentle persistence. unfailing good hu.
NOR, and endless quotations. inter
spersed with conversation hich though
delectable to the audience is far over
the head OF BaTnaby, Juliet succeeds
in getting Barnabetta away to school
and OF having curtains put up at the
windows (not TO mention Having ErlIny
Haversack do the washinY) is revealed
in 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
rier 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 IL
the last act which transforms juliet
from a trump into a well-dressed wcm
an. The frumplness Is half Of hei
charm.
Edward Robins as Judge Jordan II
pleasing. Several years ego he ap
peared as leading man Of the CollTn
bia Players. Minor parts are well cast
FLORENCE E. YODEF.