The Washington times., 1919-12-29


Charles Martin ........... Grant Mitchell
Jack Carruthers. George Parsons
comfort -. Marie Vernon
MISS vincent Wanda Carlyle
Gladys Prouty ...........! Grace Nolan
Mrs- frouty ......-...... essie Ralph
Katherine Woods, N. S. c.. .GiIda iesry
Mr Cricket ...............A. G. Andrews
Dena ....-.--...... Elizabeth Dunno
messenger Walter Browne
H'odie .....'.... .Ralph Theaoore
The league OF nations problem is
solved IN "a Prince There Was" at
the National this week. but, unfortu-
nately for the statesmen who still are
wrestling with 1t, the solution is with
held. 1t Is on the brink Of being re-
vealed several times, but the indiffer-
ence of the members Of the cast, with
the exception OF two, the accredited
author Of the plan and a publisher
who is compelled to read 1t, prevents.
1t 10 possible, however, that Attor-
ney General Pelmer may reveal it, for
he is included in the Cast. True, he
does not appear on the stage, yet he
has a speaking part. He Is the prin-
cipal II absent figure in a telephone
conversation that affords some Of the
best action or the play.
However. the league of nations
problem is but q minor incident in this
comedy OF the mimic world, regard
less of its status in reality. Tho play
has to do with one Charles Martin,
retired and comparatively youthful
millionaire, who seeks to drown the
ghost of dead ambition in alcoholic
liquids, of which he Is shown to have
an ample stock and no competition
from his associates in its absorption.
Martin, in which character Grant
Mitchell is starred, has lost interest
in life because of the deaths Of his
wife and only child. His condition Is
analyzed by his friend, Jack Carruth-
ers, the aforementioned publisher, " no
tells him that never having bumped
| the bumps to success he was unable
to stand up when the big wallop''
came.
Little Marie Vernon. as 'Comfort,'
the boarding house waif. who first
revives Martins interest in life, shares
honors with Mitchell This child Is
really a remarkable actress-lettc;
perfect in her lines, which she reads
with rood expression. The only Incl
dent in which her portrayal jars is
one for which she cannot be blamed
On a visit to Martins luxurious apart
ments, in a New York hotel. she Is
served with a large portion OF Ice
cream and a huge slice Of cake. The
| action of the scene prevents her con
suming more than few mouthful
of either This is the more unresl
because the fare at the boarding
house in which she lives Is the sub
feet of repeated condemnation which
/ brings many of the laughs as the play
progresses.
Probably the best entertainment J.
I provid ed sin the second act. located ir
the sitting room of Mrs. PIoutyh
boarding house. to which Mart
moves with his awakened interest
f, and where he meets Katherine Woods
| (Giida Leary), a noted author, who IL
seeking local color while posing as a
| working girl.
The rest Of the plot can be guessed
A wedding is in prospect, with the
assurance OF q good home and affe"
tionate foster parents for little Com.
fort" and the audience Is satisfied
that all will be happy ever afterwaro
as the final curtain falls.
On it's merit as entertainment the
show deserved a better audience than
the handful Of spectators who ap'
plauded it last night.