The sun., 1919-05-16
Pretty scft"-At the Morosco Theatre.

Paul NJ. Potter Is the noceur t,npeni-
tent OF American playwrights. He re-
turned to the local stage last night
after too long an absence with Pretty
SOFT" 1t Is three act farce. Add to
this description the fact that Il Is
founded on The Dormouse' by Antony
Mars and Leon xanrof. enjoyed a long
run in Paris and is altogether dedicated
to the task OF making the world laugh at
what II Is expressly taught II should
not smile at in public, and II Is easy to
see the manner in which Mr.. Potter
elected to appeal to the latest generation
Of playgoers. He plainly wishes to be
remembered as the author of THE Girl
From Rector's" and THE Queen of the
Moulin Rouge" Little does he seem
anxious to let the world know that he Is
also the author OF ''Trilby." Sheridan"
and half dozen of the noted stage sue
cesses of score OF years ago.
The dramatist is past master at
adapting skilfully these highly sea-
soned French compounds to the taste of
the American public. He knows just
when to emphasize one flavor and leave
out another. Then he understands what
must be added so to read that farce
Is in the original by this author or that
is in reality a bit of camoufiage in
which the author INDUCES himself He
adds so much of his own and so much
that has proved its value elsewhere
that 1t is not easy to assign the honors
of authorship when the playwright is
finished. Everywhere discernible. how
ever. is the hand of the skilful man Of
the theatre. And that is one OF the
reasons for the apshing success of last
nights venture into the field Of piquant
farce.
AS a species OF middle ground between
this city and Paris. Mr. Potter has put
the scenes Of the new play In London.
These include a drawing room in Cover
street. an artists studio. another retreat
called The Studio" but probably not
intended for the pursuit Of art. and as
the home OF the inevitable nemesis. q
police inspectors Office. Thus the play
wright has framed the pictures which
are intended to add their spice to the
| familiar humor of the Gallo farce
They served their purpose. Mr.. Pot
| ter's ingredients last night were a youth.
| full married couple with the husband
excessively drowsy from the effects Of a
| sleeping draueht which a former and
Jealous beloved had administered the
/ doting uncle anxious that his family
name should not be "extinguished." vari-
Gus philandering wives with their part
ners and the obliging patronesses OF
The studio" which was no more than
a supper club. or course, all hands ar
! rived at this resort and there was not
only incessant fun In their misadven-
lures after they got there but in their
manner Of reaching the private rooms
The entertainment OF boulevard farce
was here in its best estate. Admirable
comedians interpreted its spirit and the
constant laughter of the audience showed
| u-ifh hat
skill had calculated the result. A Yep
| pelin raid came as the voice OF con-
| science and the further moral OF toying
with forbidden fruit was pointed by
| the scene in the police inspectors office
| So nobody need have felt guilty for
having had such a good time in watch
| ing the experiences OF the frivolous
dramatis personae of Pretty Soft
Rose Coghlan as the obliging head OF
| The Studio" inspired the second act
with her sturdy spirit Of comedy, and
one OF the irresistibly laughable scenes
OF the farce came when she and Edwin
Nicander. who was admirable as the
drowsy bridegroom, met in the supper
loom. Margaret Nybloc as the brisk
maid OF the club. Dallas Wexford with
bis comic gurgling in his throat. Claude
Beerbohm. Edouard Durand as n
French officer Of uncomfortable gal
lantry, Rowland Blackstone as the bluff
uncle-these were some of the we'll
known actors who added their talents
10 the success OF the evening.
There was on the d!stafr side an ample
supply of beauty in Mona Bruins
Nancye Stewart Florence Eldridge and
Jean Stuart. They were all easy to con-
template and that helped to make more
complete the success OF Pretty Soft
as the most amusing specimen OF its
kind seen here-well. since The Girl
| from Rector's."