Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-05

be method in the bookings which have been
S criticised BY hammering away at must
cal comedy. the powers may have hopes OF
surfeitins the people and driving them en-
masse to the first dramatic entertainment
that presents itself. But there is not the
slightest sign Of disafection yet. The week
past was remarkable one in that all the
theaters were heavily patronized. There
was rush to see the pretty clothes at the
Anna Held show, and to enjoy the comedy
offered by Francis Wilson.
Francis Wilson and Eddie Foy made
strange combination at the New National
Theater. Wilson was on good terms with
his audience from the outset. and Foy was
immensely popular, whenever he appeared.
1t was a mistake. however. to put them in
the same production. If is especially 10 the
disadvantage of Mr.. Foy. He is one of the
best extravaganza comedians the footligilts
have known. but in a production like this he
is necessarily under shadow. In the pecul-
lar semi-pantomime parts that he had in
the days of ''Sinbad." he is without a peer
and in London he would probably be nam
ing his own salary. Some day a tradition
will be forever shattered when a comic
opera comedian learns to sing. Mr.. Wilson
and Mr.. Foy remind one of Jean and Ed
Guard de Reszke-by contrast.
Mr.. Wilson was sitting In his dressing
room last night when a question of the hour
took him unawares-"W is musical COM
edy?" he repeated. We'll, what in -. 1
beg your pardon-what is musical comedy.
anyhow. I have never tried to think out
an exact definition.
1T isn't something that has to be written
by Harry B. Smith is it?''
Not observation-disclosures that is one of
raTia ~ VII ;c,
my boy. if I were to tell you what it is
you wouldn't understand me. You would
be obliged to descend to a low subterfuge
and confuse your readers with a lot of
technical terms. I'll study it out for you
and write il carefully in the language of
the vernacuar.''
Just then the call for the third act came.
The comedian reached for his wig He
pointed to a long white strand in it.
do you see that gray hair?" he said
plaintiyely, 1T wasn't there last night
That's what comes of trying to tell what
musical comedy IS"
Eddie Foy said he did not know what mu-
steal comedy was; that there were mo-
ments when it was legitimate that it
seemed like tragedy.
Musical comedie.' said Anna Held SIM
ply and conclusively. Feet eez somezing
very beautifuI-Iike "Ze Little Duchess
Manager Florence Ziegfeld remarked
that 1t was something that would absorb
an unlimited bank account. But" he
added as he contemplated the standing
room only aspect Of the ticket rack. 1T
pays Dig dividends"
Manager I.uckett OF the Columbia said he
did not know what musical comedies are
but he hoped they would happen often.
Manager Rapley. who CHANGED to be look
ing at his date book, expressed the opinion
that musical comedies have nearly had
their innings and that the public is hunger
ing for negro minstrel show like Prim-
rose & Dockstader's.
1t would be strange if Fov did not raa1-
lie that he might be more felicitousIv
placed. obvious as the purpose is to give
him every opportunity that his part calls
for. While The Little Duchess and ..Tba
Strollers' We're playing in Baltimore Fov
had an opportunity to see the Held pro
auction, which he embraced. There was
the array of Sumptuousness such as he
was wont 10 SHINE in alone and unhindered.
there was the chance offered not only one
colnedian, but three or four (they are pro-
duced in punches these days) to hold tho
stage so long as he could make the peon1e
laugh. 1t is impossible to imagine an ar,
nosphere that would be more congenia1 r.
Foy Approaching Mr.. ZiegfeId after the
curtain descended. he exclaimed in his eDi
grammatic way:
Say
What do you think of our produnriop -,
said the affiuent Ziegfeld
Think of it. Locke here: if anv of ,-o,r
comedians don't be good"
Then followed a pause more e,ooua,,
than words.
All audience who Sees musical comedy
one night can never be sure that the friend
O. "hoin ne conmends the show is going to
see the same thing. THE Strollers,, he
been very greatly changed since If lief,
New York. Wilson has introduced a L.
amount or new business His performance
with the cuckoo clock Is recent. Wilson is
an interchangeable worker ready tn give an,
accept suggestions, and an enthusiasts In
whatever ne undertakes. He believes If s
ms business TO make people laugh and he
ATTENDS 10 That business He is not afraid
OF the classics. and he has under con-
sideration stage adaptation OF a book hv
one or the best ltterateurs He jntro-
duced several new bits while he was here
lie mas made no curtain speeches this sea-
son. and declared that his failure to r..
spohd 10 calls was due to the fact that
ID make II sound impromptu
The Little Duchess has been in contip.
ual process Of evolution. The last act wouId
not now be recognized by those who saw
on Monday night. 1t has been shortened
so that the comic duel scene might be e,ah-
GRATED and occupy nearly all the act The
rasged-boy costume and the French song
have been eliminated. The lights are NOT
turned out and the act proceeds to fin
fsh from the bit of triangular nonsense
which is now given the prominence to
"hich lis cieyerness entities 1t. When an
elaboration of this scene was first sux-
sested TO Manager ZegfeId he said:
II the people like it so much. let them
come again to See it,
Then he thought of the ticket specula-
tors on the sidewalks Of New York and re-
Tented
The opening of the second season of the
Bellows Stock Company at the Lafayette
Theater Monday evening" October IL will