The times., 1900-12-18
AT THE THEATRES.
The coIumbia-asan Toy,

The best musical piece that has come
10 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 IL Is to be
compelled TO sit through a 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 dialectic
gentlemen thrust themselves forward IS
comedians; not suggestive word is IN
troduced: senseless horseplayis 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, lot OF pretty,
tuneful melodies that will linger in the
memory long after the footlights are left
behind. a host of charming young wo-
men of the ingenious type whose lowell
ness is admirably set off 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 a girl. who
does not possess a wonderful voice. but
~, nlx
and whose two little feet are ever rest
less in dances that are the very perfec-
tion of rhythmic motion. Good as is San
Toy" Miss Ashley is the best thing in 1t.
San Toy has a plot and very good
one it is. II 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 quip5 follow each other
in quick succession with the result that
there is never any lag of interest. At
such odd times when the entertainment is
apt to drag little the composers have
cleverly introduced a catchy song or
dance, so that from the first to the last
chorus San Toy is 4 splendid specimen
of the brisk and deyerting musical com
edy. Such songs as THE Maid in the
Moon.' sung by Miss Eigie Brown. Ir.
Powers song describing the soldiers OF
various nationalities, George FOrtesGus's
ditty about his six little wives, and Minnie
Ashley's ''Rhoda Ran a Pagoda, are sure
to be immensely popular and will soon be
heard everywhere. Then there is also our
old-time friend, Tommy Atkins" which
has been revived by Melville Stewart. and
which was received fully as well last night
as when II was first sung in THE Gaiety
haI dozen
James T. Powers as Lii is quite in his
element and was never more amusing,
even in his character OF Wow Hi in THE
Geisha' His song with Miss Ashley in
which both appear as Chinese figures, is
one Of the distinct hits of the perform
ance. Miss Ashley. remembered by local
theatregoers for her excellent work two
seasons ago in The Geisha" and THE
Circus Girl" has made great improve
ment in her art since her earlier appear
nnces in Washington. She is particularly
in her dances, OF which she has
a number, none of which. however, is bet
ter than the umbrella duo with Mr.. Pow
ers. George Fortesque is well to the front
as the Mandarin. while Melville Stewart
is a good looking and manly Capt. Bobby
Preston. Wilfred Clarke has a small
part, Sir Binso Preston, in which he does
good work. Sarony Lambert makes a
grotesque Emperor, and J. l.. Weber is an
acceptable President of the Board of Cere-
monies. Flora Zabelle as San Toy is a
pleasing picture to look upon, even if she
does not possess the vocal requirements
one might wish for. The dance in the
second act of Carolyn and Frances Gordon
is cieverly done, and is one of the best
efforts of the performance
San Toy is staged in handsome style.
the costumes are rich and elaborate in
many instances, the scenic artist is seen
at his best, while the groupings are ad-
mirably done.