The Washington times., 1917-03-13
Even the Critic Finds SoIace for
Misspent Theater Evenings;
in This Play.
PLOT. STARTS WITH RUSH
New Nationals Attraction Gives
Able Actors Opportunity to
Display Talents

Out Of years of patient theater'
going. the hunted critic manages, once
in a great while, to enjoy in a season
one or two evenings of unalloyed
bliss. when a play after ones own
heart is presented. 1t is the custom,
as far as possible, for the ideal re-
viewer Of plays to subdue all indi'
vidual and personal desires when
witnessing a play, but there must be
an exception made in the case of the
play at the National this week.
THE Case of Lady Gambler" was
personally enjoyed to the fullest by
the reviewer present, and in view of
the fact that it also delighted and
engrossed the audience, the personal
viewpoint can be made public with
out hurting anyone's feelings.
As hinted by the title, the play is a
mystery, and, unlike most plays OF
its kind, starts with a rush that car
ries one far into the plot. With an
excellent display of tact, the author
reveals the complete situation, and
the three other acts build up the sus-
pense satisfactorily.
Finds Happy Medium.
Horace Anneslley Vachell, the au.
thor, is an Englishman from whom
the American stage has heard before.
but never in this same vein.
In THE Case OF Lady Gambler" he
has found for himself a most happy
medium. and one can understand why
this play is the only one which has
the record of running for one year In
England since the war started. This
is its first presentation on the Amert-
can stage, but We -prophesy that 1t
will 20 up to New York and maintain
most excellent record alongside OF
THE Thirteenth Chair" the mystery
play which is just now holding its
own against all comers on Broadway.
with fidelity to tradition. Mr.. Vach-
ell has decreed that the first person
on the stage be a butler, but he is
followed quickly by others.
Into the library OF famous young
DR.. Napier comes a brother physician,
anxious to place in the charge OF the
younger man the case OF Lady Cam.
ber. AS last resort, the titled person
is to be given into the care of DIR.
Napier and Nurse Yorke, who has as
sisted him in his laboratory expert
mcnts.
Lady Gambler. former musical com
edy star. has married Lord Gambler. Is
worn out with longing again for the
applause and lure of the stage. and is
suffering from a most serious heart
affection.
In DIR. NapIer's Home.
She spends six weeks at the home
OF DR.. Napier, cared for by Nurse
Yorke, and shows marked improve
ment. How her decline and a sud
den serious seizure follow one an
other In rapid succession after she
is allowed to see her husband. and
her former dresser, Peach, constitute
the mystery.
Nurse Yorke, who was the daugh-
ters OF a man formerly rich. and
who knows Lord Gambler. is dragged
into the intrigue, and a bottle OF
''alI the taline Ia powerful narcotic)
in the world" plays an important
part in the last act.
Mary Boland. as Lady Gambler"
does a truly fine piece OF acting
Lyn Harding, formerly in the com
pany of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree,
playing the role OF Henry VIII"
gives a restrained, sensible, and tact
full impersonation of DIR. Napier. sgd
ney Shields. gives a capable portray
al Of Nurse Yorke. although handi-
capped toward the last by a series of
rather obtuse bits OF business
II. f. Herbert interests as Lord
Gambler: Louie Emery. in a character
role, gives atmosphere and color as
Peach" w. L. Abingdon. as the
older physician, is a delightful old
bore, while other minor roles are
played with discretion.
The scenes are most tasteful. and
the whole piece a credit to the pro
B. Iden Payne.
One word OF admonition TO those
who are going to take advantage OF
the plays presence in Washington:
Save all OF your lunches as TO
what is going to happen" for dis
cussion between the acts. Some peo-
pie became so interested last night
that they nearly broke up the play
trying to tell the people across the
aisle how everything was going 10
turn out. II can't be done in the case
OF Lady Gambler.
Ell nDENCE vnnED