The times., 1899-12-26
CoInmhIn-..Naughlv Anthong.,,

Hidden away in the pages Of old alma
macs among ether time-honored adages,
the diligent antiquarian, in search Of
knowledge. even now might ind instruc-
tion that ''the proof Of the pudding is in
the eating thereof" This line OF ancient
composition doubtless was resurrected yes
terday and probably served as consolation
for the presiding angels of various culinary
departments. Since it has been brought TO
light. it can be made to do double duty
in describing last nights performance OF
Naughty Anthony the new David Bel
asco play done fer the first time on any
stage at the Columbia. Chef Belasc0 may
recall the pFoverb in reading this review
and be solaced.
There can be no question that the fash
iOnable and intelligent audience gathered
in Luckett & Dryers house enjoyed the
Offering from beginning 90 end. Laughter
Of kind too hearty TO prompt suspicion
OF stimulation and the most generous OF
applause established that fact. The COM
pany had four curtain calls after the first
act and might have had more but for the
intervention Of William ]. lie Moyne, who
stepped forward to wish the assembIage a
merry Christmas This enthusiasm was
notable again after the second scene. when
make a nervous. grateful little speech.
There was further cOmmeudation when the
final curtain had fallen Briefly. the psO-
pie who came together yester-evening at
the Columbia considered Naughty An
thony" a delightful dessert to q holiday
dinner and were not chary in expressing
their appreciation
Critically, When Mr. BeIasco. primaIIy
announced his intention OF constructing an
r,v-Tr~g
thought they kueW-the limitations of The
mau, felt crestfaIlen. The author OF "Zaza''
and CT The Heart of Maryland" and OF
May Blossom had never suffered a con-
spicuous defeat during his lab0r-fiIIed life
but he had never attempted farce and
he had rarely attempted to work along lines
laid down by himself This anxiety on the
part OF Mr.. Bslasco's admirers was not les
sened by his averment that his unborn
brain-chIld was to be strictly humorous
play; ii was heightened when the press
agent came forth with the statement that
the piece had been called Naughty An
thOny' That title suggested short -skirted
ladies. deceptive old gentlemen, dress
suits, champagne French balls, and the
can-can.' Certainly IL did not presage a
product OF dignity and sterling worth So.
thus given TO doubts and breads, those who
termed themselves the writer's friends
waited for last night.
1t is to be recorded that a majority OF
their fears were realized Naughty An
thony' has no short-skirted ladies or de-
ceptiye old gentlemen Orchestral Con-
ductor Minister did provide a bit OF the
can can but only by way OF an over
ture. Mr.. BeIascO's ideas proved exceed
ingly novel and his story lacks reminis-
cence in surprising degree. Despite this.
however, Naughty Anthony brings out
salaciousness and suggestion quite as un-
pleasant as might be laid to the most con
demned of the season. importations. Be
tween the young husband OF Mile. Fiji "
who was caught with a piquant damsel
on his knee, and the canting hypocrite Of
Naughty Anthony who insists upon 4
hosiery model showing him her ankles there
can be little choice. Neither was really
nasty, both are disagreeabIe.
The faults of Naughty Anthony"
however, are not so uifing as this T e
chief error seems to be a tctal absen,a OF
anything approaching wit or ingenuity: OF
even that dignity which one expects T. ON
q farceur whose elevcrDess renders 1t neel
less for him TO depend on clap sticks for his
success. There are no clap sticks IN
Naughty Anthony" but the humor is de-
cidediy of that variety. Small D. nee IS
made to the attainment OF such couplfcl-
tiOns or situations as might inspire mir n.
1 ne ueNlCeS substituted are EuCl as NAV ( @
had in their original and uudilutei form
from any burlesque troupe on the road A
hungry man, Obliged to watch the supping
of others surreptitiously snatches a bite of
food and soaks it with the contents of
bottle. woman comes to take a Ie son I
from her teacher. and replies facetiousiy |
TO his questions. The entire preseutat on. |
smart lires and careful character draw ne |
is of such nature that the AID |
itor finds himself constantly anticipating
a chorus of Delighted girls and a tenor
From the viewpoint OF the critic who i
cares to deal only with the mechanical d 70
tails of the play. Naughty Anthony" is /
lardly more perfect. Three or four wei /
built Climaxes there are. but the pi &c /
acks cOngruity and continuity in a fearf 7 |
legree. The thread OF the story is byois n 4
into several strands which stray urclI- |
lined, and appeared to require g the i'm. /
One set of individuals is being continual |
for another in interest. one /
series of event is pushed forward in pla q 4
Of a preceding series one combination cf |
motives keeps tang ing with a es con- /
)rehensive combination. There is an ap- |
parent striving for a gigantic ght tha is |
never reached. The author does not l.
lence his making for a visible goal be
vanders sadly and always. These facts
with the excessive length OF the piece. al