What promised during the first net to be a one woman play with Catherine Doucot bearing the burden and the honors, last night developed into as pleasant a comedy as one could wish. Rachel Crothers has, in this tale of a "lady from Dubuque" now at the Colonial, concocted a story lacking somewhat in originality, but one which is considerably enlivened by a capable cast, and the exquisite nuances of the Iowa cornfield which Miss Doucet scatters so lavishly in her role of Emmie. One never for a moment believes in the reality of this Dulsy of a later day, but if overacting is ever an art, it is effectively displayed in her role.

The prologue in a Parisian cafe fails somehow to impress one with the ability of either actors or author; Miss Rachel Crothers does not show her hand until the second act. There have been innumerable drunk scenes paraded before the long-suffering theatre-goer, but their authors have rarely succeeded in the measure with which Miss Crothers does in this particular bit. Geoffrey Wardwell and Jay Fassett contribute remarkable performances as their share in this scene, and the author supplied them with excellent material, studded with laugh producing lines.

From the rise of the second-act curtain to the end of the play the comedy is delightful. If the romantic moments fail to convince one of the sincerity of Ronnie as much as the "in vino veritas" moments of the drinking scene, it is not entirely the actor's fault. Where Miss Crothers' pen strays from the high road of comedy into her beloved bypaths of sentimentality the play is decidedly less interesting and certainly less well acted. At several points there is the dread possibility that sentimentality may prevail, but by a miracle the demon is kept just at arm's length. Perhaps Emmie's accent works the trick.

The entire cast proved their ability last night before the end of the play. Marjorie Lytell as Peggy, the outspoken daughter of the "lady from Dubugue", and Robert Foulk as Jake, add variety to the scene by their physical and vocal contrast. The personable Miss Lytell was an excellent foil for the thoroughly different beauty of Gloria Holden. Roman Bohnen played the role of Hippolitus Lomi with remarkable conservatism, considering the opportunities offered for burlesque by the character of fortune-hunting Frenchmen. Even Eddie Wragge as the youthful Wilbur, was effective, luckily free from most of the usual failings of children on the stage.

"As Husbands Go" is the first production of the Theatre Guilds fourth Boston season.