The Washington herald., 1918-03-05
NationaI-.Fri.adIy Enemies

NationAI-4FrIendIy Enemies
What many will consider the best
play of the season. Friendly Enc
miles," received splendid Endorsement
from the President and a representa-
tive audience at the National Theater
last evening. The comedy discusses
an interesting theme and provides
Louis Mann and Sam Bernard with
roles which reveal these finished char
acter actors in their most artistic
moods.
Samuel Shipman and Aaron HON.
man have undertaken in Friendly
Enemies discussion Of the mental
attitudes OF the Germans resident in
America at this period-a rather deli
cate subject-which has been handled
with skill and conviction. II is a play
that will strengthen your patriotism
If that be necessary. and II not. you
will delight to hear the eagle
scream"
Louis Mann presents a picture Of
an old German resident, here these
thirty years, whose beliefs are little
less than reasonable, with an appeal
to the sympathy that is irresistible.
His firmly fixed opinion OF the invinci-
bility and humanity Of the German
government finally gives way before
the clearer understanding of his old
friend and fellow German-American.
Sam Bernard. The bitter lesson Of
the supposed sinking OF his own son
on a troop ship by German agents
brings him to realize that his long
time views are quite mistaken.
The timeliness of the play and the
conviction with which its interest
compelling theme has been developed.
would seem to presage a large meas
ure OF success for Friendly Enemies"
in New York. The comedy Is embel-
lished with a multitude of bright sal
lies and apt remarks as to the Ger
man government. One may laugh
and laugh, as one really cannot help
doing, at the ouarrels and peace
makings Of the two German gentle
men, but there are tears a-plenty,
too.
The fine and noble qualities OF heart
Of the two German gentlemen, as
presented by Messrs. Bernard and
Mann, are outstanding and the audi
tor is sent away with a loftier sense
Of patriotism. Mr.. Mann appeared as
German-American father. whose
son, Richard Barbee. was supposedly
in college. In reality, he was In the
American army, but the fathers bit
ter opposing views prevented his
learning this fact from the remainder
Of the family. Nine. Mathilde Cot
trelly presented another sterling por-
trait Of a German-American mother,
exhibiting again that she is one of the
few splendid artistes of the "old
school" remaining upon our stage.
Those who have never seen Mr..
Bernard in a straight part will be
surprised and gratified at his playing
of the role of a German-American
true to the flag of the land OF his
adoption and filled with a hatred Of
autocracy and the Kaiser's govern
ment. Richard Barbee plays the SON
rather a difficult part to make con-
vincing-in manly and effective fash
ion, and Regina Wallace was his
pretty sweetheart of this American
soldier boy; while Felix krembs made
the despicable German agent as
treacherous and suave as truth re-
quired.
Friendly Enemies" Is not a great
play-judged from the highest literary
standards-but it Is decidedly interest
ing and patriotic, and offers Messrs.
Mann and Bernard the most artistic
roles of their career. They, with dear
Nine CottreIIy, never fell below the
utmost requirements of the play last
evening.