Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-31
PLEASING COMEDY
At THE PLAYHOUSE
Margaret Lawrence. Arthur Byron
and Company in French Com
edy Success.

There is little wonder that the comedy
"Trarsplanting Jean" held Its audience
in Paris for n run of year and quarter,
since IL is alorg Just the lines that are
traditional on the French stage And there
should bc little doubt, likewise,
that the transplanting of Jean to
American soil has been successfully ac-
complshed, to Judge from the smooth
and pleasing performance gwen last night
at The Playhouse by the excellent com,
pany headed by Margaret Lawrence ana
trthur Bryon.
For ono thing. the original has found
svmpathetic adaptation, through which
the characters as we'll as the Language
have been so TO speak translated into the
idiom quite in accordance, one WOULD
say. with the spirit of their creators, De
Flcrs and Caillavet. This is 10 be noted,
for instance n the catch phrase useu py
CbarmcuIc Dear old Man. which If
near enough 10 "Mon Cher Vieux' and
still has n shading OF its own =,
While tho play purports 70 deal WIN
the prospects Of Jean, the son who has
grown 10 manhood apart from his father,
whom he has mover known. ana VINO
suddenly owakes TO his responsibilities 10
tho lad II really turns on the transtorma-
t,or of The father. This is effected by the
WakcuIng. after n lifetime of philandcr-
! ?. rf "urc grande passion for the daugh-
tes oi ars,ld pal The fact that she is the
~, CO.. II the son, TO whose farm m an
als.cuIc corner of France she is neigh
b,r Is the. circumstance which introduces
them: from hostility at first the feeling OF
interest nj first and sympathy later, al
wavs based on the welfare of the son,
gradually develops, and eventually shows
that tho affections OF the young people
were misplaced, and that JeaH's real
affinity Is the farmc1 daughter with
whom he has heen reared.
euufodlngo OF the details i, interesting
ly managed. The first act shows jean ~
his country Surroundings, the quiet ol
which Is broken by the inCursIon OF Papa
from Pari4 bv auto His purpose IS I'M
parted to the village priest, an admirably
doLehIt bv Forrest Robinson, who ap--
proves and agrecs to break the news ana
dispatoh the youth TO farls
fIcre father and son meet and prove
mutually fepulSivC IN temperament
Hithcr follows the heroine, with tho puT +
puse ot qualifying 20 the son her accept
ancc nf ~, proposal Of marriage. succeed
ing however, IN aruusing the lively interest
II the father. which takes the form OF
fastening the marriage day and making
'Ic preparations his special charge
The third act finds the party again at
the Iaugucdoc farm house, which has
however uttered the modernzing touch
III tho decorator, making II more attiac-
I'VE to the girl and the Parlslan. hut less
% to the son, who shows the father that
II IS he who loves the girl. and not HIM
self secures an avowal from both, and
effects d reconciliation with his payFannc
Margaret Lawrence shows much per
yonal charm and finish Of manner IN the
role OF Naima, with especial sincerity
eud CONTINGENCIES in the revelation OF
her love and admiration for her dead
father.
Arthur Byron bears the main weight
of the piece on his capable shoulders
and convevz successfully the impress
sion intended bv tho authors Of the pol
shed man of the world, Comte de Larzac
George Graham has a congenial role as
rs friend Charmenl Richard Barber
docs the somewhat ungatefm part oi
Jean with commendable mixture of the
Inanlincszs and naivete called for Nnl-
fred Anglln Is effective as Jeanette, Ieai-
o,Ivlv in love with him and is especially
comendahle IN tho outburst of emotion
closing the first act The filling IN parts are
competently cast
Costumes are fitting and elegant, and
the second act So. the drawing room Of the
court. - notably tasteful.
Quite tho most piquant and zestiul
sample Of Gallo light play1naking that
has come across the water in some time,
tho career of The comedy in New York,
wh,nc, II goes from here. should be =
successful one.
There will be the usual week end per
fornanccs. tonight and tomorrow ai :
te-uoon and night