The New York Clipper (September 1912)

« THE mmW- : YOBE OIL-I^^EK, S^TEMBER 21 I,OCA^ OFFERINGS OF THE WB^K AX TCHK VAUDBvitl^B AJSfD DRAMATIC HOUSK® "THE GOVERNOR'S LADY/' Republic (Dayld Belasco, mgr.) — Tas Vovefnoft Lady, a play Id tbrce acta and an epilogue to "Chllds,*' by Alice Bradley,.pro- duced Tuesday cvenisg, Sept 10, by William Klliott and David Belasco, -with this cast: Panic) S. Slid* B,n J? lett „ Co j: rl ?' B Kenator Btrlekland Wb, ;.S; '•SSi* l.obert Hayes •»"<« SIHs \, etlcy Merrltt Bobert MeWade Jr. , rlgham Hunt... '"ivWi , i Governor Blbbard -John *; BSS . at. George Smith Will H. Nicholson. . ohn Hart .Albert Laae .. harles Ingram Harry B. Wilson William '»<* Smith Martin Franklin Handy „akc John N. Wheeler .1 Passerby James Singer A Bookworm Btoart Walker Jnke'a Friend Edward Horton A Caihlcr George H. Shelton A Man Behind the Pastry Counter, Bobcrl J. Dance Walter No. 7 John H. McKenna Walter No. 2. Harrison Fowler Mary Sladc Emma Dunn {Catherine Strickland Gladys Hanson Mrs. Wesley Mcxrltt.Teresa Maxwell-Conover Susan J»nc Briggs A Olrl of the Streets Blolsc Murray A Scrubwoman JndiUi Snaltn The story Is one of. love and ambition, and the struggle of each for supremacy, with the final victory for love. Daniel Blade, a well preserved man of about fifty-five years, began life as a miner In a Western State. Ills wife, Mary, helped him to save, and glories as she sees hltn rise. As better times come to them, Blade enters politics. He becomes town marshal, thee t'lcriff, and Anally outgrows his home town. When the curtain rises on the first act we fnd Blade a multi-millionaire, living m a ii ilatlal home lit has built He has advanced. Ills friends are senators, congressmen and other notables, Hl» wife, however, has not advanced with "him. She docs not like tfao ri.uw tbat wealth brings, and, as she says, "hates their one home." She Uvea in the past, when Dan went to work with his dlnncr- pnll on his arm, and she spent moat of iier time over the washtub or the cook-stove. liavlng reached the greatest height that v caltti enn bring, Sladc now longs for po- I tlcal preferment, and has his eye on thi. I jvernor's chair. He wants his wife to go (.ut with him to entertain his friends, to be l.ostcss at his banquets. This Mary fnds brr- K'lf unable to do. She worship^ her hn«- bsnd and Is willing to do anything for him Lut the very thing he wants most. Blade really loves his wife, but his ambition l-< stronger than bis love and, after a strug- gle with himself, he decides upon a separa- tion and ultimate divorce. He tries to break It gently to Mary but she cannot compre- hend, and Is only brought to a realization of what he means when he leaves hla home to live at the club. In the mean time be meets Katherlnc, ('slighter of Senator Strickland, an ambitious woman of twenty-seven, who has put her love for Bobert HayeB aside, hoping to many n rich man who can gratify those wants which her father's limited means denies her. Klode mokes a business proposition to Kath- crlne that as soon as he divorcee his wife ho snd Kathcrlne shall marry. There Is no talk of love on either side. She accepts, although i he Iovcb Robert. Mary, at the end of five weeks. Is heartaorc and lonely. She comes to Strickland's house. meets her husband, and agrees to no any- Hilng be wants. He insists upon a divorce. This she refuses him, and leaves to go to her rid home, where Dan and she were happy In luelr poverty. To this place comes Katherlne, bent upon Mary's consenting to a divorce. Mary then discover* that there Is another woman in the ease, and Anally learna that Katherlne is the woman, and she determines upon di- vorcing her husband. Katherlne In this scene has learned how noble Mary Is. She' also calizcs that love outweighs ambition, and n-hrn Robert appears, is glad to find rcfugo la his arms. Then comes Blade, who soon learns how 'ci'ii Is his affection for Mary, and he wanta lo begin life anew with her. But she is ibdumte. und the act closes with the know- ledge that Mary Intends to divorce Sladc. Then follows the epilogue. Two years have elapsed. Sladc, as governor of a Western State, Is visiting New York City, as speaker :it a political meeting. His divorced wife (Mary) goes to bear him, and afterwards stops In n Chllds restaurant for a cup of coffee. Blade's chauffeur Is on the same errand. lie recognlsus Mrs. Blade, and promises hor not to say a word to Slttdc. But, of course. lie dues. Sladc enters the restaurant, and :ih the final curtain falls, Mar- Is In her former husband's arms, and It is made plain that they are to he re-married as soon as they eun get a minister. From this homely stoiy Mr. Belasco has fashioned a moBt remarkably gripping play. Wo say Mr. Belasco, because at the end of net throe, In answer to demands for a speech from the author, Mr. Corrlgan, leading Mlsa Hrndley by the hand, advanced to the foot- lights and, In a short speech, said that Miss llradley wished to express her gratitude to Mr. (lelasco for what ho had done, as all she had brought to him was the idea—ho built llio play. Doubtless this Is too modest an acknowl- edgment on her part, for her name appears as author, but the fact remains that the Bc- luseo earmarks arc everywhere in evidence throughout the play. Not only does this apply to the details of the settings, but to the handling of the scenes, the moulding of the characters and the ever happening sur- prises. No play produced by this past master of stagecraft, since "The Music Master," has hurt tlie powerful gripping quality that inm "The Governor's Lady, and no play has bet- ter deserved general commendation. It grips you from the rise of tho curtain on act one, which (IIscIokck Mary, the simple-hearted wife, tulklug to the man whose name she has borne for over n quarter of a century, and try- ing to explain to htm how useless It is for her lo attempt to be more to him than a devoted, old-fashloncd wife. It holds you In rapt at- tention through Its entire length as you see (he strength of the little woman In combatting the trials as they come to her, one after the "tlier. with her only means of defense, her lovo for her husband, her homeliness, her simplicity, it sways you alternately with grief and Joy as you note the passing defeats or vic- tories of the little woman la her battle to retain her husband, and when, In the epi- logue, that love, which has been tested to Its utmost. Is crowned with final victory, you have grown ao to lovo Mary that you slroo.t 'eel a pang of jealousy as Dan takes her In his arms. The climax: of the play falls naturally In llio third act. But to end It here would leave tlie story Incomplete. There would be a void that everyone would notice, and It would l< consequence lose strength. Mary and t>an must be reunited, but they must be brought together In a perfectly natural and I'uman way—a way that Is In keeping with the simple character of the heroine. Another i -t being Impossible, Mr. Belasco gives sit "•illogne, a sort of afterthought, and for IM scene be chooses Chllds' restaurant, a place thoroughly consistent with the homelv Ideas of Mary. Bh* would be out of place in one of New York's dining rooms patronised by wealth and fashion. In Chllds' she Is 2uitc within the picture. It Is like home to cr, and it t* la Just snch a place that a reconciliation between this estranged pair could occur naturally, as it does. It ll in perfect harmony with the two chief charac- ters, it U a novelty, and It makes possible a happy ending, which la imperative Id a play of this class. Second only to the triumph of the pro- ducer was that scored by Emma Dunn. This clever actress has given us many artistic portrayals, but probably In none has she so completely captivated her andlcnce as she does In this play. She Is not Emma, the actress. Impersonating Mary Blade—she in Mary Slade. She is the very embodiment of this loving, forgiving, faithful little wife, of the old-fashioned school, whose only thought is for the comfort and welfare of her hus- band. In manner, carriage, every expression she conveys the Idea that she and Dan bava etood shoulder to shoulder and weathered the storms on life's sea together, and con- quered. And when at last Mary realizes that her husband desires to be rid of her for a younger woman, the actress brings out an- other side of the submissive wife and gives her a determination which causes surprise and pleasure. It la a role with strongly marked characteristics, and in all of them Miss Dunn rises to the occasion. In a word —she gives a perfect Impersonation—If per- fection can be reached In mimic art Emmett Corrlgan also scored a marked suc- cess, As (Daniel Blade, the man who roso from the ranks of day laborers to becomn a multimillionaire, he gave a typical expo- sition of one who advanced from the lowest to the highest walks In life. He had that assertive self-assurance that belongs to tho self-made man. Gladys Hanson did capital work as Kath- erlne Strickland. She made her typical of the young woman who thinks she is willing to sacrifice her love on the altar of ambition. In her scene with Slade, when Katherlne agrees to become No. 2, she was a stoic, but ■when the simple-heartedness of Mary touches her. she loses her stoicism, and, giving way to woman's haven—tears—is once more a woman, loving and loved. Miss Hanson was equal to tbe task set for her. She possesses a remarkably flue stage presence, snd Is an emotional actrcsB of no mean ability. Bobert McWade Jr., as Wesley Merrltt, and Milton Sills, as Robert Hayes, were both good. Tbe others did well all that wsb re- quired of them. The play was staged with the usual Be- lasco lavlshocss, the scene of act one being a gem. Tbe scene of the epilogue representing one of Chllds' restaurants Is a replica of one of these popular eating places, even the small- est detail being reproduced. So faithful Is the scene that one almost Imagines be 1b sitting at one of the tables ordering "butter cakes and coffee." The second week began 16, to capacity business. Whit. s KEITH'S UNION SQUARE (KI.MEU F. KOUERH, MCR.) Manager Rogers must have bad bis hands full when he attomn.ted to "place" each num- ber of this week's bill, for every sot sure la of the "pippin" Ttylc. Bat somebody had to "open," so those musical and dancing Graters were giv>u the position at the first performance Monday matinee, Bcpt 10. Tbe toe dancing of tbe male, to the "oppoBltc" sex's costume, completely fooled his audi- ence. (Capacity, by the way). Attired in "skolts," be goes from tbe piano to a spiel on tho toes. Then, after his partner doubles with the brats and tho piano, be romps around some more on his toes with the girl at the piano. Tlie applause they drew proved tlie tusk Mr. Rogers had. Cooper and Boblason, those favorite colored comedians, added to tho increasing; interest with their bunch of "good stuff," and scored their usual runaway success. The audience were prepared to give Arthur McWatters and Grace Tyson a royal welcome as soon as tbelr letter on the program was flashed «t tbe side of the stage. And this couple sure got the grand reception as soon aa they "showed." They began with a song review number that Included flash Imper- sonations of Broadway stars, working from behind a screen over which they threw cari- catures and using their own heads, "made up," to complete each character. It was a novelty to the "Square" crowd, and they ap sly. Mr. gave a songrocltah entitled "My Old Chum, McWatters then i>inmleii. generous! gave a song recital, ■.»u.n ...j v« -t~~i and Mies Tywon followed this with Imper- sonations of the tigress, the debutante, and tho "soused" slang girl, singing "Byes Are tho Windows of thoBoul," with spproprlato business for each one. A black velvet drop Is used 'for this, and Miss Tyson looked de- cidedly stunning before it. They closed with "Hysterical Bag," and a truly hysterical dance, and wore allowed to go only after liulf a dozun bows. Charles F Seamon, aa narrow, as funny, and aa musical aa ever, .found the bouse In Rood humor to appreciate his decidedly "slight oxtroxnctles. He gets a whole lot out of knocking himself as of yore, mid he found that old: friends were still with him lu applause. The audience was rather slow warming up to Ilermlne Buono's act, "The Uttic God- dess," but wheu the real funny parts of tho net began to come, why Interest sunk deep Into the dream whlci John Sterling, as the "lovu-thcm-aU" husband, had, and from then on the audience truly enjoyed it (Ionian and Marx, those two laugh pro- ducing German comedians, held down sixth position on the bill, and were a riot from the beginning to where they close the act with Marx tipping the "brew" contents of Gor- don's pitcher Into ono held by himself, dur- ing a laughable conversation they bold. This clever tit was a scream. Conlln, Steele and Carr, those popular en- tertainers, sang, danced and worked off good comedy until the audience were wont to let them leave. That New Yorkers never tiro of this trio's act was demonstrated by the ap- plause they received. Odlva, in the headline position on tho bill, gave an exhibition of swimming and (living rents that Is undoubtedly on a par with any act of this stylo in the business. She sleeps, eats, scwb and drinks beneath tbe water. This prettily-formed water nymph suro ban n marvelous pair of lunga, for she stayed under water exactly two minutes and eight seconds by the writer's watch. Her announcer invites the audience to hold their breaths when Odlva went down Into the tank, but In about thirty seconds sighs could bo heard coming from every part of tho house. "The Diamond Necklace," a new one act drama, was presented by Daniel Frobmau, and wsb well received. (Sec New Acts.) The bills at this bouse are growing stronger with the Incoming pleasant theatro weather, and Manager Rogers Intends keep- ing them on a level with any to the city. Oood-nlght was flashed about eleven bells. Tot. Proctor'* Twenty-third Street (Jos. E. Hang, ingr.)—Vaudeville and moving pic- tures, playing to full houses. Keener'* Third Amie (Ed. J. Mc- Mnhon, mgr.)—Vaudeville and motion pic- tures. Cotaedr (Albert Kaufman, mgr.)—Motion pictures and Illustrated songs. pi»s» (ivr'd "enlimto. mgr.)—Locw vaudeville end motion pictures. «Wttm THE LAW." EKIagr Fortr-nerond Street (A. B. Woods, tagr.) Within the, ba», a play, to four sctsTby Bayard YeUIer, produced Wed- nesday evening, Sept. 11, by the American Play Co., with this cast: , Sarah Georgia Lawrence Smltheon 8. V. Phillips Richard Glider Oroe Caldara Helen Morrto Catherine Tower Edward Olider Dodson Mitchell George Demarest ....Brandon Hurst Mary Turner Jonc Cowl Detective Sergerant Cassldy.. .John WIRard Agnes Lynch Florence Naat Joe Corson William B. Mack Psninie Martha White William Irwin William A. Norton Eddie Griggs Kenneth Hill Inspector Burke •. Wilton Taylor Thomae Arthur Ebbetts "Chicago Bed"..... Arthur Spauldlng Dacey John Camp Tom Tuppor Edward Bolton Dan Frederick Howe Williams Joseph Nickson When a melodrama finds Its way to Broad- way and two dollar audiences, It must be out of the ordinary to win success, and the fact that "Within the Law" has found Broadway favor stamps It as the exception. The story tells how Mary Turner, a salesgirl in the em- ploy of Edward Glider, proprietor of a large department store, called the Emporium, is accused of theft, is tried, convicted and sen- tenced to three years to prison. The fact that she Is punished for the crime of an- other, ao embitters her tbat when she has served her sentence and is once more free, her oalv thought Is revenge upon her former em- ployer, with this In view she associates her- self with Joe Garson and Agnes Lynch, twoei- convlrts, and the three take up a plan of sys- tematic blackmailing, but through the clever- ness of Mary, they always keep within the law. They prosper In their questionable business, snd Mary then sets out to win Richard Olider, tbe son. She succeeds bo well tbat he marries her. and then her father seeks the aid of the police to have her sent away—either out of the city or to prison. With the aid of Eddie Griggs, a stoolplgeon, Inspector Burke plots a robbery of the Gilder mansion, with the view of catching Mary and her confederates red-handed. The plot fails. Garson kills Griggs, and when the Inspector and his detectives arrive on the scene, Rich- ard It with his wife. Despite the third degree methods, the po- lice cannot place any blame on Mary, but Garson is made to confess the killing and Is taken away, leaving the impression that he will suffer the death penalty. In the mean time inspector Burke has re- ceived a letter from tbe girl who committed the theft for which Mary was sent to prison. Mary's name Is cleared, and when the final curtain descends we arc led to suppose that she will win the pardon and favor of her husband's father, and that she and her hus- band will be happy In each other's love. Tbe bringing of this play at this time, when New York is being enlightened with the dally exposures of the police "system," Is a stroke or luck for all concerned. It Is better than the average "crook" play, and It differs from most of them In many points essential to success. First it is filled with heart interest. Tbe chief character Is a woman who. In tbe first Instance, is falsely accused, and though In- nocent, is made to serve a prison sentence. The sympathy of the audience Is hers from tbe very start, and despite the fact that her later actions are not commendable, much of that sympathy still clings to her. Again, while essentially a "crook" play, the author has so constructed his work as u> show the methods of tbe police when tbey wsnt to tend a person away and have not sufficient evidence against him or ber. Tbe author bhowi how a "Job" Is planned to that the police can catch the offenders red-handed and then, of course, conviction Is usually easy. And this, in view of passing events, con not fall to attract. Mr. Vclller has handled his subject cleverly and shows more than a superficial knowledge of It. He has drawn his characters well and has let the Incidents follow eacb other to logical sequence, and In tbe main his con- struction lo capital. The last act la probably a little too drawn out with incidents incon- sequent to the plot development, but this is a defect which can be forgiven. There is, however, a serious defect In the character of the heroine which mare tbe moral tone of the entire play. Mary Turner has, up to the time of her discharge from prison, lived a life beyond reproach. She Is bright, intelligent, has a good education and a forceful character. Therefore, when she becomes a blackmailer and confidence woman, It causes a certain shock to the finer sensi- bilities. The shock Is sub-conscious rather than conscious for, as before stated, tbe sympathy won by her plight In the first art will not down. Nevertheless, we find our- selves pitying her because of the companion* she chooses, and wishing that she would leave them and return to a better life. So strongly does this sub-conscloua feeling affect us that neither the love Richard bears for her. nor her awakening love for him, MOM a thrill of pleasure, or a hope or an ex- pectance that all will tarn out right for tho young people. And yet, in spite of this, the play holds the Interest. It seems to cause a mass of contradictory emotions, but still it entertains. There is, however, an indisputably strong feature about Mr. Velllcr's play, notwith- standing the lack of moral tone before men- tioned, and that Is that It serves as an ob- ject lesson, and object lessons of things we desire to know about always command our attention and Interest. Jane Cowl scored an emphatic success. As Mary Turner, in the first act, Bhe held attention with ber emotional work. Hers was a difficult Bccno, for tho opportunity to overdo the part was great Indeed, and It would probably have proved a pitfall to a leas competent player. In the remaining acts the work, while less exacting, was dim- cult along different lines; In fact, entirely opposite lines, for. from the suppliant girl she became the commanding woman wbo imrled defiance at everyone. In this latter work, perhaps, MIsb Cowls acting did not ring quite as true, but nevertheless It was forceful. , . William B. Mack, who It always giving us new evidence of what a capital actor he In. had his talent severely tested, and came out with flying colors. la the scene where Joe Garson Is put through a "quiet" "third de- gree," to which he sees his male confederates, one by one, locked in ceils, after having been told by Burke that they had "squealed;" Mr. Mnck's face was a otndy. Doubt, fesr. ter- ror, each In turn, find expression in hit face as, one by one. he sees a cell door close on n pal- The real effect of this scene depends upon Mr. Mack, and that he rare H Its full import is proved hy the strength of the scene, which, because of Mr. Mack's work, becomes one of tbe big thrills of the play. Orme Caldara had in Richard Gilder a diffi- cult role, but be acquitted himself with credit Florence Nash made a pronounced hit as Agnes Lynch. Miss Nosh has won an en- viable place to the galaxy of footltght favor- ties and has a Arm grip on the frost row of the younger members of the profession. Her present role gives her opportunity to (li«nl«y her ability, and sbe lets no chance escape her. Wilton Taylor, aa Inspector Borte, met With success, his performance leaving an Im- pression sot soon forgotten. ^Dodson Mitchell gave • forceful ud to- telllgent performance, hot taade Edward Olider even more stolid than the author's lines seemed to intend. • Georgia Lawrence, Catherine Tower and Kenneth HU1 had small Mice, but made a great deal of them. The others did good The play waa appropriately staged. It began its second week 16. Of the Klttoge Theatre, which on this oaca- ston was dedicated, It must be said that It is a credit to its owners, Its architects and Its builders. It will seat about 1,000 people, In the most comfortable cbalra to be found In any theatre in this city. The decorations arc {ilcaslng to tbe eye, the general color scheme t gold and rose, and In tbe design of "mod- ernized" Egyptian. From all parte of the house a perfect view of tbe stage Is to be had, and. In consequence, so patron can complain of having a poor teat The house la located on West Forty-second Street a few doors from the Liberty. The house staff Is: Arthur Bar- ney, house manager; Mack Billiard, treasurer ; Harry M. Cohan, assistant treasurer. "IY BEST GIRL" Park (Frank McKee, mgr.) — Mv Belt <Hrl, a new three act musical farce, book and lyrics by Cbannlng Pollock and Renaold Wolf, music by Clifton Crawford and Au- gustus Barratt; first metropolitan production Thursday night, Sept. 12, by Henry B. Harris Co, with this cast: «. ., «*■„ 1 Jack Potter Police Officers J ';' Jamea O'Neill Harry Ferklas Harrison Garrett Mrs. Wellington Bolllvar Florence Edney Col. Wellington Bolllvar. ..Harry Davenport Beatrice OHtb Ulrich Samuel Brown Edwin Meander Capt Bobert Denton Harry Falrleigh Qua Bludgc Frank H. Belcher Daphne Follettc Harriet Burt Tbe Little 8tranger Corallno Waldf Richard VanderfJeet Clifton Crawford Dora Lane IHta Stanwood Private Stuart Jack Fitzhogh A Bergeant Louis Baum Tommy Langham Wlllard I^ouIb Grace Carr Bessie Bell Gwendolln Le Monde Eilecnc Marshall While newspapers have announced that the production of "My Beat Girl" marks Clifton Crawford's first appearnncea as a star, It Is an undeniable fact that Mr. Crawford has really been a star for a long time. Messrs. Pollock and Wolf have given their new piece a happy title, and its book and lyrics ore replete with sporkllng comedy and delightfully funny situations. "rte program docs not tell as the author- ship of the doaen songs that arc nicely dis- tributed through the actloa of the piece, hut It Is safe to assume that the major portion of them muBt be set down to Mj\ Crawford's credit. The piece is typically American, and not only has an Ingenuous starting point, bnt there Is quite a little string of interesting In- cidents to its concoction besides the telling of an entertaining and quite probable story to a light comedy vein. Mr. Crawford, a* Dickie Vaaderfleet, the hero of tbe piece, la a wealthy young idler, who starts on a trip abroad, and en route to the pier gets into a fracas -with a man whose face he does not see, because of the darkness. Tbe report that he lias killed his opponent Is bold him when we are first Introduced to him as he emerges from an. automobile to an automobile salesroom, where the action of the f'lece begins. The effect* of hi* carouse of be night before still linger with him, but Ms muddled condition doe* not prevent him from trying to shield his Identity. He ex- changes place* with a young chauffeur em- ?loyed In the salesroom, who Is a deserter nam the army. As was to be expected he fete arrested aa the supposed deserter. He- ore bis arrest, however, he meets a young woman wbo eventually becomes hla "best girl," though he i* already engaged to another girl who cores nothing for him. Act two occurs at army hcadqutrtcra on Governor's Island, and It Is here, in the uniform of a soldier, that Mr. Crawford has his best opportunities to display his delight- ful comedy talent Act three la placed at a hillside In upper New York, In Winter, and from a scenic standpoint, nothing prettier hat been shown npon this stage. Here we find the man with whom Vanderflcct had changed places, now tbe proprietor of an Inn. This msn promises to return to the army and serve bis term of enlistment. He Is forgiven for all the trouble he has caused. Vanderflcct releases bis fiancee from her engagement to him, and dis- covers that she has another sweetheart, and all ends happily with Vanderfleet coming safely through all his trials and winning the girl of bis heart, It Is pleasant to record that Messrs. Pol- lock nnd Wolfs new pen effort Is from first to last genuinely clean and wholesome fun. and nlso that Mr. Crawford scores legiti- mately from bis first number, "If the Morn- ing After Were the Night Before." His other best numbers were: "I Do Like Tour Eyes," "Come Take a Dance with Me" and a number that is sure to be whistled Into popularity, "My Best Girl." Corntton Walde, as the Little Stranger, has a catchy song, In Dutch dialect, entitled "Mr. Schnoodle," and Frank II. Belcher has a stirring song, "The Regular Army Man," which was made doubly effective by the aid of an excellent chorus of soldier boys. Bit there is charming music throughout the entire piece, and Augustus Rnrratt pre- sided over a very capable orchestra, which entirely tilled tho commodious orchestra space. lUta Stanwood, as Dora, tho "Best Girl." was very sweet and pretty, and not only acted her role with charming simplicity, but In her musical duos with Mr. Crawford, she sang charmingly and danced gracefully. Harry Davenport, as Col. Wellington Bolllvar ; Harriet Burt, ns Daphne Follctte, and Frank H. Rclchcr, as Otis Bludgc, were excellent. "My Best Olrl," from first to last. Is good (mtertoiranent. and will afford a pleasant evening's diversion. The second week began 16. OH Timer. ■ Criterion (Chorlea Frohman, mgr.)— Or. Thursday evening, Sept. 12, Hattlo Will- lams, Richard Carle and Wm. Danforth ap- peared in a burlesqtc on A Mat of lAfc. which they Introduced Into the third act of "Tbe Girl from Montmartre." Mr. Carte, aa the author, acted to Ihc most approved emo- tional manner; Miss Williams, as tho wife, ffI*J5! rl * ht touch i * n * 1 Mr. Danforth, aa the butler who started the trouble by hlB anonymous telegrams, was also thoroughly up to the requirements of the travesty. Tfiio telephone, the "aside," the stage whisper, the soliloquy, nnd all other stage standards were properly mode fun of by the trio, and the dramatic scene when husband and wife confess that they have had no "past" was a proper climax, even the fight for the centre of stage In the curtain calls, Weher**. —Mntlon pictures of Paul J. 5??S V Afrlc 1 n nunt ooej"! the «toth week at this house Sept. 18. Matinees are given Tvesdny*. Thursdays and Saturdays. »f^."*i a J QB "1 (ft Rothchtld, mgr.l— Motion pictures and photoplays an the offer- li1£rL, SCENERv THEATRE* AND PRODUCTIONS * VWJhEViLUACTS^ ■*w aad Ssteaad Hrnnd fee*sm |. .. IUSRAY HUX SCENIC STUDifP _ MURRAY HUX THRAraa « v W PANSY'S FIRST PLAY/' William Collier's Cosaedr *J*» (Harry M. Hyamt. mgr.) -Fannl^V^ Play, in an induction and three Vet. ^' George Bernard Shaw, produced itXti? Mpt 16. by the Messr^ 8hubert d wltbtf; IHB IMDTJCTION. Count O'Dowda c. H ClitoSte Fanny O'Dowda JElteibith in.> Mr. Trotter Walter' SlJSSS Mr. Ounn Frank H.^iJ ft Mr. Flawner Btwel....,.:.:.!^!*" THB PLAI. " Mr. Bobin Ollbey Sydney Pa,i»„ Mrs. Ollbey fficS Juggins Walter rr»i»i, DoS Deiane, Eva* Leonard'^ Mrs. Knox «arv lS,I? Mr. Joseph Knox V.-ArMg Margaret Knox Gladys Harm Lieutenant Dnvallet Herbert Itat» Bobby QucaUttToa This new play fairly bristles with eplrriBs and witticisms written In George &rnini Shaw's most caustic style—a combination « literary skill and real humor. Laugh 3b* laugh Is found In this piece, and It Iti em to understand why It ran for two years at it Klngsway Theatre, London. "■"■»*■ la "Fanny's First Play" 8haw has a lot of fun, with four prominent London dramiMt critics as the targets. These four gentlenu are Invited to a country home In CambrldM England, taken by Count O'Dowda for the ?'UrpoBe of presenting the play, which proves o be a travesty on tbe conventional modtra drama, showing all of the stock types of toe stage through the usual situations. In tbe epilogue the critics came together to de- termine the suthor. They all agree that It is a great play, and that certainly George Bernard Shaw could not have written It The plot Is as follows: We are Intro- duced to two homely middle class households, to which respectability Is life. They ire punctual in their religious observances, the; comply with every social law of their asrror environment; the breath of scandal has never penetrated the monotonous sanctity of tbeii homes. One day they find themselves fired with a scandal which exceeds their Imagi- nation, and they see themselves ostracised from their circle of friends. Mr, Gilbcy and Mr. Knox arc partners It business, friends In private life. The Glltcyi dine with tho Knoxes on Tuesdays, the Knoxes dine with the Ollbcys on Fridays, two evenings' pleasure every week, and they are looking forward to the time when a closer and dearer tie will unite the two families. The men are the pushing type of trades- men, who make a point of combining busi- ness with religion. Mrs, Gllhey Is of tbe negative style of woman, with no definite opinions of iier own. and a placidity of man- lier which not even the most startling of inci- dents can outwardly disturb. Mrs. Knot is very religious, but, as Mrs. Ollbey puti it, "she's quite cheerful." Both families at tbe beginning of the play are in a state of doubt and dismay. Younf Bobby Ollbey has not been heard of for • fortnight; Margaret Knox has been away from home for a like period, and all that her parents know of her is derived from i telegram that informs them sbe Is not deal, and they are not to worry about ber. Eacl family Invents an excuto for tbe absence if tbe child, and each Is afraid that the ctbei has guessed tbe secret To the Ollbcys there comes a rakish yotmr lady who calls herself "Darling, Dora, r ' aril addresses everyone as "old dear," and throura her the distracted parents learn thtt Master Bobby has, quite unknown to tbcm, beat going a way of his own with "Darling Dora, which has eventually led him to Wormwood Scrubbs prison—forty shillings or a month. Margaret arrives home In tho company or a Frenchman and boldly asserts that she bai spent the fortnight In Holloway prison for riotous behavior in a night club, and knock- ing out a pollccmnn's two front tectb. in tho end Bobby marries "Darling Dors, and Margaret marries Gllbey's footman, for whom she has long had an admiration, ano who turns out to be a younger brother of« The acting was of a high order. Each member of the cast (the original London on- played thoir respective roles In Just the rig" key. Lack of space forbids Individual men- tion at length, but every one in the cist w letter perfect With a few exceptions oil oi tbe players have "bits.' .. . ' Dont miss "Fanny's First Play." II '• » literary and dramatic treat. T hird froio. COLONIAL (RALPH EDMUNDS, M(1H.) Monday, Sept. 10, commenced the Rfcowi week of this season. Owing to many in- quiries of why and wherefore, Manueei m munds has decided to have the usuo Inter mission. This wss discontinued at ID* w ginning of this season, as Ik the custom in other Keith houses. .. „,, Ben Beyer and Brother, in a ryeHngscij entitled "The 8prlntlng Messengers, opiaea the bill. Oae of the boys, M n colorcd nit *cnger. managed to get a little conu'dy on of his first entrance. The rest *f tb* M* about tbe same as a number of other nicy" ttC ltiiby Baymond nnd Eobhy Hsatk. tatj* with a special drop picturing ttw WfJvlW nt Atlantic City, offered scvcro! mm "f some talk, a singing specialty, by H 5 "" 1 ' being especially well liked. i_.„mobi- LoWrtl was well liked. His lnl f. cr K tlons of famous musicians was wfl «g™ although, to get a little comedy n, he Miner burlesqued pJderewtkl. Oraew m|ie son*w were : XlBit, Hollman nnd Joachim. lie mw»JJ with a scene from "Trilby," a woman as- sistant singing. , .... ..-lob!, Cunningham and Marion, acrobats, it«U£. did some tumbling BtuntB, closing w»h bosk high kicking by one of them. . eW i "The Trained Nurses," with J™" Jjj, Bergman, a new miniature muslcn fsaww presented by Jesse L. Lasky, made its u New York appearance. (New Acts, in »— lB T.^. (Buhe) Dickinson offered . jg monologue with mannerisms quite » b( His maanerisms made more of a %£%£/ material to tho monologue. A """- stuff would go better. „n™>nrcd •? Virginia flamed andI componyinppca'eu Miss Harned's new drama. The w Paris." (See New Acts in this i«iic. ^ Tat Booney and Marlon Bent in ftt clever dancing nnd idnglng offer ng, jy& News Stand,'' received »«JK%*5 B welcome. We know of no 0, "cr ten , vaudeville who are more entertaining dancers, tooth of them. . "noon 9 , 8 W". La Veen and ..company, B ' Neir Sports and Pastimes," appear un«" n(KI , Acts. .. KaWUsoa Stjure Boot ***n J% nets continues hl« at this resor wi» three ring cabaret shows and dan'mi. CI rclel—Vaudeville and pictures. ''' i J i i ■