The sun., 1919-01-05

TT seldom falls to the lot OF ~
actress to create important roles
= in two productions under the
same management in two consecutive
seasons. yet such is the distinction
enjoyed by Winitred Fraser. who plays
the matchmaking mother in 'Daddies."
When Polly with n Past opened
in the Belasco Theatre last year Miss
Fraser created the role of the mother
OF the perpleXed young lover around
whose affair of the heart the story
centred and played It during the all
season run OF this sparkling comedy
At the close of the engagement Of
this play In June Mr.. Belasoo decided
TO place Miss Fraser in the cast OF
'Daddies." where she is giving a
charming and distinctive performance.
"It Is, indeed, q very enjoyable ex-
perience," said Miss Fraser in her
dressing room in the Lyceum Theatre
Just before the matinee the other
afternoon in response to a query as
play that has settled down for Il year
on Broadway, land one that is more
than welcome.
1T have rarely. played a role that ap-
peaied to me more than that of Mrs.
audrey in this play, for she is true
woman and one who prefers the
sphere OF her home TO that of society,
in which she would be free 70 mingle
II Il appealed TO her. To her mind
a. home without children is "A dreary
place and il is this love OF little ones
that makes her so anxious TO have
the bachelors adopt them, knowing
ns she does that despite their appar-
ent aversion TO these tots they will
ne won over by them before long.
1T seems to me that with each new
mother role play the more I become
attached to this type OF character.
Even when | assumed leads in London
7 was eager for my present type OF
parts, and although I was fortunate
enough to play the role OF the little
mother who grows up to womanhood
IN Barrie's play Little Mary when II
was produced at Wyndhams Theatre
that was the nearest I came TO mother
ing on the English stage.
When came to America, however.
I decided that II ever were to realize
my ambition the opportune time was at
hand. 1t was easier said than done,
for I found that the managers would
not take my decision to forsake leading
roles for gray haired mothers Sc
riously. After much waiting and con-
siderable persistence gained my point
and can truthfully say that have no
regrets for having taken this step"
In the second act of Remnant" in
which Florence Nash is now star
ring at the MorosCo Theatre. there
IS pretty LATHE OF wits he
tween the husband. Jules. and Emelie.
the wife, equally happy at her
sp!net, as 10 who will pick up the box
of matches lying on the floor between
them This leads each night to very
excited guesses ana even little side
bets among the audience. the married
men always being ready to put down
little money on the stage husband.
Several well meaning amateur crit
les OF costume and things have written
70 Charles Emerson Cook that the
matches in the act are all wrong
anyway because they we're invented
after the period OF the play. Research
has been made in the interest of light
and truth ana the facts are that Mr.
Cook and the matChes-and the match
makers, by the way---are all right, and
the critics are all wrong. The first
practicable matches were made i'll 1927
by John Walker Of Stockton on Tees
ENGLAND and thcy were SucCeSSf lily
used for family purposes at that date
although Il was not until lS30-33 that
their sale in a commercial way was