Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-22
New National.

| The audience at the New. National
Theater last night, where Margaret
Anglin presented Paul Kester's three
act refined farce, "Beverly's Balance"
was almost as delightful to the casual
observer as the play. There was not 2
vacant seat in the house. and from
every seat there seemed to come hon
est and unrestrained laughter. 1t be.
gan when Beverly realized that not
only she and her aristocratic southern
aunt but her supposedly prosperous
lawyer cousin, Watt Dinwiddie, were
absolutely penniless. in the first act,
and continued even after the play was
over. and she virtually had to leap
year her cousin into their marriage,
although he had carried the license in
his pocket until it was in tatters. A
DIT OF the picturesque was found-stili
referring to the audience-in the
copious display of flowers throughout
the house, testifying to the thorough
performance of duty of a galaxy of
comely young women stationed at the
entrance to help along benefit for
the Georgetown University Hospital"
So much at least is due the audience,
LOT 1t was ideal for the play.
Beverly's Balance is, first of all,
laushable throughout. II is light,
wholesome, clean and delightful, even
II most of the story is about GORE
spondent, because that correspondent
is the eminently respectable and level
headed Beverly Dinwiddie, whom utter
desperation has forced to accept her
position purely as business PROPOSE
ton and with the strict stipulation in
the agreement that the party of the
hrst part is not to attempt any lib
erties Whatever with the party of the
other part
Beverly and her aunt-in speaking of
her one is almost forced to say dear
old aunt'-have come to New York in
the hope of finding a future and a for
tune with Beverly's voice. Her voice
cracked" however, due to a cold, but
her personal appearance secured her a
place In an opera chorus, because she
Just had to pay her expenses. siren
uous press agent discovered and wrote
her up as something ultra in the mat
ter of floral kisses The publicity
alarmed both her and her aunt, Mrs.
Maria Randolph. one of whose forbears
was '.signer" of the Declaration of
Watt, supposed to be a highly pros
porous lawyer, with his ship and rail-
way lines and illimitable bank account,
for little loan. mere matter OF
S4I6.11- Watt, however, has been lying
to his family. He has just parted with
his last cent to a friendly janitor in
part payment on collect letter and
is hourly expecting to have his office
the usual installments and to be elected
from the building for non-payment of
rent. When he is ultimately forced to
admit that he cannot advance even ~
cents to his needy relatives for car fare
the desperation of the family situation
becomes apparent.
J. CORTLAND Redlaw, a millionaire
college friend of Watt, then appears
His wife is temperamental. She wants
a divorce, and her temperament runs
to marrying a title. Indeed, she al
ready has become engaged to an Eng
lish nooleman, and the failure to an
nounce the date of the marriage is due
purely to the fact that she doesn't
know the date when her divorce is to
be granted. To secure this divorce
Rediaw wants Watt to provide a CO.
purely for business pur-
poses" because he cannot run the risk
of suit for breach of promise after
wife's feelings should he decide to
marry a second time. Watt Indignantly
declines, when Beverly. who has over
heard the conversation, appears. Of
fers herself for the job. draws up the
agreement ard acquits herself beauti
teaches the silly couple that they love
each other and that desert isle,
where they can become thoroughly &C
quainted, is often a certain cure for
difficulties.
The part of Beverly calls for nothing
Miss Anglin bestows upon it with
abundant wealth. That of the dear
old aunt" finds delightful replica in !
Mrs. Charles 6. Craig. Donald Cam
eron is Watt: Alfred Lunt. RedIaw: !
Margery Cutting. Mrs. Redlaw. and
and though their creations promise lit
tie in the way of flistrionic honors,
they nicely help out very amusing
play.