New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-09
By HAYWOOD BROUN

Her Husbands Wife" is founded on
a superb idea, but the impetus Of this
whimsical notion dissipstes itself be.
fore the play is done. There is eventual
recourse to alcoholic stimulation. A. +.
Thomas would have done better if he
had been able to nurse his play along
throughout with the pepsins, the bro
mides and the rest of the mixtures IN
the red and the green bottles which
irene prescribed for herself.
The play was presented in New York
some six years ago late in the season,
and there may be those who do not
know that it concerns a little hypo-
chondrisc who feels sure that she is go
ing to die and wants to pick out a
suitable second wife for her husband.
Naturally, she chooses one who
wouldn't be likely to make him for
get me-"
The woman chosen as successor to
Irene is modest, quiet and retiring. In
fact, she is almost motherly. But the
dowdy little sparrow, when informed
Of the wish of her friend, feels that
she has been insulted, and takes her
revenge by agreeing all too readily
When she discards her sperrowhood
for the plumage Of bird of paradise
Irene regrets the bargain, and neither
wants to die nor be succeeded. Her
efforts to discourage the potential wife
form the later and less interesting
portion of the play.
While it is true that all the compli-
cations arise from Irene's neurosis, they
get pretty far afeld from the original
study of a woman in the grip Of an
imaginary malady. The author must
have liked Irene better than any of his
other characters, because he has deyel-
oped her much more infinitely. She Is
well enough grown for light comedy
purposes. Indeed, the first act is largely
light comedy. After that the play
keeps pretty consistently on the farce
side Of the thin, but ever so Dsticeable,
line which separates two schools OF
theatrical entertainment, Irene is funny
for what she is, although she also be-
comes party TO elaborate complica-
lions. but her associates have almost
no fundamental fun. The author has
to think up things for them to do.
Irene can manage for herself.
Those who know nothing about hypo-
chondriacs might imagine them as unat-
tractive, but as matter of fact they
are charming people. Your hypochon--
criac is never at a loss for topic or
conversation and she is ever ready 10
share her last symptom with friend.
Moreover, the hypochondriac is no fool.
As often as not he is merely patient
sufferer who is waiting for the medical
profession to catch up with his all
ment.
However. there can be no doubt that
Irene, as played by Laura Hope Crews
last night, was most attractive. Ihls
is fine piece Of work. for which player
and playwright must share the credit.
Marie Tempest does we'll with the part
of the sparrow, who became bird Of
paradise. Miss Tempest has always
shown a fine discrimination in gowns,
and last night she proved that she
could dress badly, too, when necessary.
The scene between her and Miss Crews
in which the wife reveals her wish for
suitable successor was capitally
played This is light comedy rather
than farce, but it is good, whatever
you call it.
The other parts offer less and Henry
kolker is not a bit at ease IN comedy
role. Eugene O'Brien and w. Graham
Browne are not overburdened with OPP
portunities. Browne was almost un-
humorous to us in his drunken scene,
but there Is not much inspiration IN
being called upon TO give an inebriated
version Of "My bonnie lies over the
ocean" q,
If the first act OF "Her Husbands
Wife, is light comedy and il IL is also
an excellent act that is achievement
enough for A. y. Thomas, for IT leaves
him one up on almost every other
American playwright. Whatever may
he said of American dramatists, 1t is
certain that they do not excel in light
comedy. That is a pity, for it IS type
of entertainment which richly repays
the labor spent in graphing with the
incest problems of dramatic technique