The times., 1900-12-18
AT THE THEATRES.
The coIumbin-ssnn Toy.v


The best musical piece that has come
to Washington this year is San Toy"
seen at the Columbia last night. and II
this thoroughly enjoyable entertainment
is fortunate enough to successfully com
pete with the delights of Christmas shop
ping and attracts audiences of worthy
proportions. the Luckett & Dwyer play
house viii be found to possess an made
quate seating capacity. Washington has
heard many musical comedies real, and
so-called-but San Toy is. without ex
ception, the best of the lot. Persons who
have suffered at comic opera presentations
and have endured the agonizing humor of
extravaganzas and know what it is to be
compelled TO sit through n stupid musical
comedy will find real pleasure in this
latest musical piece.
In .San Toy there are no Delighted
young women of the chorus: no dialectie
gentlemen thrust themselves forward rs
comedians not a suggestive word is IN
trodueed; senseless horseplay~is climi
mated and none of the many inanities that
are so often presented as modern stage
humor is in evidence-in short there Is
absolutely nothing of the conventional
musical piece about San Toy" There
are. on the contrary, a lot of pretty,
tunefrl melodies that will linger in the
memory long after the footiights are left
behind. host of charming young wo-
men of the ingenious type whose lowell
ness is admirably set of in an Oriental
framework. several capable comedians.
headed by James T. Powers, a wealth OF
rich costumes and elaborate scenery and,
finally. there is Minnie Ashley, dainty,
graceful and delightful slip of girl who
does not possess a wonderful voice, but
-hn hs.c inc
and whose two little feet are ever rest
less in dances that are the very perfec
tion of rhythmic motion. Good as is .'Saa
Toy" Miss Ashley is the best thing in it.
San Toy has plot and very good
one it is. It is on view much OF the
time during the progress OF the piece. and
is handled admirably. The humor is OF
the kind that is usually described as spon-
taneous. There is an abundance OF it
and the merry quips follow each other
IA e;iick succession with the result that |
there is never any lag of interest. At |
such odd times when the entertainment is !
apt 10 drag little the composers have |
cleverly introduced a catchy song or |
dance, that from the first 10 the last |
chorus san Toy is splendid specimen |
Of the brisk and deverting musical com /
edy. Such songs as THE Maid in the
Moon sung by Miss Elgie Brown, Mr. |
Powers song describing the soldiers OF |
various nationalities. George Fortesque's
iitty about his six little wives. and Minnie !
Ashley's "Rhoda Ran Pagoda. are sure |
TO be immensely popular and will soon be
heard everywhere. Then there is also our
Dld-time friend, Tommy Atkins" which
mas been revived by Melville Stewart. and
which was received fully as well last night
as when It was first sung in THE Gaiety |
Girl a half dozen years ago.
james I. Powers as Lii is quite in his
element and was never more amusing
sYen in his character Of Wow Hi in THE
ieisha. His song with Miss Ashley. in
which both appear as Chinese Agures, is
me OF the distinct hits of the perform
Ince. Miss Ashley, remembered by local |
heatregoers for her excellent work two
seasons ago in THE Geisha" and "The
;ircus Girl" has made great improve
nent in her art since her earlier appear
noes in Washington She is particularly
ttrGctiye in her dances, OF which she has
number, none of which, however, is bet
er than the umbrella dao with Mr.. Pow
rs George Fortesque is well to the front
IS the Mandarin, while Melville Stewart
S goodlookiEg and manly Capt Bobby
'reston. Wilfred Clarke has a small
art. Sir Bingo Preston, in which he does
,ood work. Sarony Lambert makes a
Emperor, and J. L. Weber is an
cceptabie President of the Board of Cere-
monies. Flora Zabelle as San Toy is a
leasing picture to look upon, even if she
oes not possess the vocal requirements {
ne might wish for. The dance in the |
econd act of Carolyn and Frances Gordon | {
S cleverly DONE and is one of the best !
efforts of the performance. |
San Toy" is staged in handsome style.
he costumes are rich and elaborate in |
lany instances, the scenic artist is seen
t his best, while the groupings are ad- ,,
lirably done.