The Washington times., 1901-12-24
AT THE THEATRES.
Coiunbin-"Tbe Governors SON"
gAc-r ar gJtAD Ag,T'rps

Coiumbin-"The Governors SON."
CAST or CHARACTERS.
benjamin Ftis.................-..J Jerry J. Conan
MgT Nhetlpck k.-.....-...........G g .orEc VI. tohat
lion. Theodore Nhcriocb. .,........M illi9m ke1us
Dicbic Dick il u. Nls'u
Nsrtin Nctsaycfu. ........... jane II Manning
RHl Svift.................... j. sullivan
Nr, johnson. -l-Il ". ',
Webster. fcter :. kindtt
Walter W. stuck"cll
Harold John Kaufman
Count won Bi-on.-....--...........D Alex Acl'i
Valet .tatlcs Close
Emerald Grcon. Ethel InFey
Mr.. F,artliu-loue--nc rymore.loscphiuc kirswood
Mrs Benjamin CNrtis.............. Helen 7. Cuhau
Mr. nrtie Dickson. josephine Conan
There was laugh almost every minute
at the Columbia Theatre last night. when
the Four Cohans. former vauseville fav-
orites. made their first appearance in
Washington in "The Governors Son. 8"
greatly 10 the delight of an audience Of
large proportions. The quartette of Co
hans with the assistance OF a number Of
other almost equally clever funmakers,
gave n performance of the kind that is
best described by the word, "gingery. ."
There was something doing in the laugh
line from early in the evening until the
curtain made the anal descent and mean
time the assemblage was treated to one
Of the swiftest shows that has come to
Washington for many day. The Gov
ernors Son" is certainly an amusing chap,
and he Will undoubtedly entertain many
big houses during his stay at the CO.
lunbia
The piece is practically an elaboration
OF the vaudeville sketch of the same name
that was presented the last time the
Cahans visited this city. For the pur-
poses Of an evenings entertainment. there
have been numerous characters intro
duced, and a chorus OF over a score of
young women have heen thrown in for
good measure only, as they fail 80 con
tribute anything to the beauty Of the pro-
duction. in fact, this chorus Of "Thc Gov
ernors Son" is one of its weakest points.
and ii is only the splendid work of the
quartette of stars that makes one forget
there is such a thing as n chorus con-
nected with the organization.
The plot for there is plot to the af-
fair, concerns two married couples who
become very much mixed up. an irate
brother-in-law, and a fleeing husband in
disguise. All of these persons fall into a
of State-the author has neglected 10
specify the Commonwealth-with sporty
proclivties, and his son, who can give his
father several pointers on the sporting
business. The son Of this Governor makes
each member OF the two married cou-
pies imagine that his or her partner in
life has another partner and what is siill
more complicatiag, that the said other
partner is the opposite partner of the op-
posite couple. One OF the husbands is
hiding from his wife, and that he may es-
cape her. he assumes the disguise OF a
German detective. and is employed by his
brother law TO find himself. The Gov
ernor's sen busies himself worrying his
father and compelling him 10 give up
money to prevent the betrayal Of his many
intrigues The complications are SO Won
derfnl as to cause he audience to greatly
concern itself as to the manner in which
everything will be Strengthened out in
the end This is very cleyerly done. how
ever. by young George Cohan. when he
has got about as much fun out OF the idea
as he thinks possible.
George Cohan is about tho whole thing
in the performance. He wrote the piece.
composed the music. staged the produc-
tion. and. besides, enacts the principal
role with considerable ability. There is
a good deal or him before the perform
ance is over. and while he is a fairly good
comedian, the moment be begins one OF
his numerous songs or dances be cdm-
pels admiration
The real artistic hit of the perform
ance IS scored By Josephine Cohan. She
has always been considered 4 remarkably
graceful dancer, but she eclipses every
Thing she has previously done in The
Governors Son" She Is tall. and good
looking. and possesses an air OF distinc-
ton that i: denied to every other mem
Der Of the company. But il is when she
gathers up her long skirts and begins TO
dance that she causes the audience TO
sit upright in their seats. and 10 wish
that she might go on forever Nothing
like this dancing Of Josephine Cohan is
20 be seen in any other performance, ana
no other dancer possesses a like amount
Of grace and magnetism. George Conan
is something OF a dancer himself. but
while there arc fully a dozen men on the
stage who can equal his terpsichorean e.
forts. his sister stands pre- 'minent-
Jerry VI. Cohan is an easy and natural
comedian and his work is generally good
Helen +. Cohan does not have much 10
do in the farce except wear some dresses
that are quite elaborate. VIII II. Sloan
makes a very funny German detective,
and James Manning. as the Irish proprie-
tor Of a hotel. is satisfact0ry William
Keough sings we'll. and capitally portrays
a stage governor. while ". J. Sullivan Is
ENJOYABLE as q ballplayer and brother-in-
law TO one of the brides. Josephine Kirk
wood is a very charming sort Of a three
time widow, who is "still willing to take
chances"
In .The Governors Son" there are a
number OF good songs Of the popular or
der and the audience last night liked
some Of them very much. VIII sloan's
song. I'm q Regular william Gillette.
caught the popular fancy instantly WI,
liam Keough and George Cohan scored
with their duet. Never Breathe Word
Of mis- 10 Mother" Lucy" and oh, Mr.
Moon" we're literally applauded, and ne
story Of the Wedding March. Interpreted
bv George and Josephine CJhan and the
chorus. was feature OF the musical part
Of the show
There VIII be matinees Of The Gov
e-r,or's som Christmas and Saturday
SntfonnI-.Iamcs IL. Hncl<ctt.
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