"NOBODY'S WIDOW"

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 1, 3 January 1916, Page 2

"NOBODY'S WIDOW"

MODERN AMERICAN COMEDY. " Nobody's Widow," by Avery Hopwood, presented by the Williamson management at the Opera. House on Saturday night, was officially introduced as "a piquant Amorican comedy success, in three acts." The public, then, was no more left, in doubt about the character of the pieco than wore the customers of the old applewoman who took the precaution of labelling her -fruit "apples." They knew what to expect. Satiated playgoers who were present could comfortably loan back in their seats, half-way through the first act, politely conceal a yawn with, the right hand, and exclaim: " So this is a modern American, comedy success; 'm, 'm." One thing was certain, it was not a French comedy; the eternal triangular device of two women and one man, or vice versa, was ignored in its structure. In' short, but for that factor the piece could not have been made at all. It was plotless, and did not and could not.cohere; yet its popularity was unquestionable. The theatre was crowded in every part,' and the play received the warmest possible reception that could be expected from any play of- t-he kmd.

If only one could. know beforehand, and be quite sure of it,' of just what the public liked and was pining for his fortune might be made in twelve, months, possibly six. Public taste is mysterious. Not even the.most expert in the theatrican business can say why one play is a money-maker, where another hopelessly fails to pay for local expenses. Managers proceed upon the hypothesis that because a certain play succeeds another as like ir as possible will coin money also. It i; not so. One can imagine the Williamson management, when discussing plans for the New Zealand Muriel Starr and Charles Millward tour, hesitating about packing up " Nobody's Widow " for travelling, and finally saying: " Well, hero goes!" And yet;how little could it ha-.v known. The house .was thoroughly delighted with the .piece, and enjoyed every lino' of i6-^-it was .'mostly line, mostly ejialogue, plus artistic scenery (interiors) and exquisite dresses, and, in addition, tin* only roles that mattered weie sustained by two. such consummate artists as Miss Starr and Mr. Millward. There was this, too, in the " book": much of it was capable of varied interpretations. One could tell that from the loud guffaws that would come unexpectedly from some remote corner of the house. Some saw the points in a flash, others took time to discover them; but nothing was wholly lost.

Hero -is the brief story of " Nobody's Widow ": —Roxana Clayton is married to an English Duke, whom she. likens, not without reason, to Don Juan. She is a wilful, petulant American girl, with unlimited means. An incident she witnesses on her wedding mom' causes her to promptly leave the Duko, and retire from Society under the unpretentious name of Mrs. Clayton, a widow. As such she goes to _ friends in Florida, meets there her living, lawful husband, whose identity she does not disclose. They make love all over again, first he, then she. The story could be carried further, but it stops st Roxana's bedroom door.

" Nobody's Widow" vyas a welcome change from the preceding play, "Bought and Paid For," with its tearful misunderstandings. To see Miss Starr and Mr. Millward in farcical comedy was a change, too. They frolicked freely, but always with grace, as was only to be expected. Also they appeared to enjoy . their change, or, at least, to make it as congenial as they could. So did Miss Nellie Bramley as Betty Jackson. And as for their admirers, consisting of the whole crowded house, they enjoyed it, too. Many will probably go again, perhaps tonight or to-morrow, when the play will be repeated. ...

The story of "Under Cover," which will be the-last piece of the season,, sets forth the 'adventures of a mysterious departmental detective on the trail- of a Customs official in the servico of the Government of the United States. This official has for years been blackmailing persons smuggling valuables past the inspectors without payment of duties, and fos.* this purpose adopts the role of smuggler himself. Tho real plot hangs upon his implication of an impecunious Society girl, who to protect her sister from, the consequence of gambling debts throws in her lot with the Secret Sendee. .