The Washington times., 1902-09-16
Musical Comedy Contains
Some Pretty Music
and Comedy.
PERCY HASVELL At COLUMBIA
Favorite Washington Actress
Appears Here as
a Star.
GIVEN CORDIAL RECEPTION
Pike Stock Company in aThe Christian"
Pleases Lafayette Audience-Murray
and Mack at the Empire-Melodrama
at the Academy - Burlesque Holds
Kernan's Stage.

THE NATI0NAL-"My Antoinette," ;
musical comedy in two acts; word.
by George Totten Smith. music b,
Alfred A. Aarons. The cast:
.intoinette. -..................G Grace Belmont
Eudcolph Butz-- George Ncoinaf
The Earl of creenlawn.. Richard Gcodai
lazy Honora. ra..-.....-...... Miss Nellie beaumont
Lord Carniegford.. ....--.......- Eugene Wiene
ferkins --.-.-...-.--.-.-. Harry Shor
christopher Lollipop. -.'oscph DALEY
Mabel Lollipop. Miss Beatrice Darlington
Arabclla Lollipop.. Miss Josephine Hal
Last nights offering at the New Ma
tional Theater was that bright musical
comedy which has been seen in other
cities during the past season, my An
toinette.'
OF the performance in detail it is
sufficient 10 say it was pleasing, there
were pretty girls, bright lines. catchy
music, and one or two situations which
deserved better setting than they re-
ceived. The principal characters were
acceptably taken. and the audience
seemed pleased with what was served
up to them in the way of entertain
ment. In detail The st3ry-or perhaps
it would be better to refer to it as the
plot, for all well-regulated musical
comedies have at least the thinnest veil
of plots just this:
There is an aged and rather naughty
earl who becomes somewhat infatuated
with an actress-ag gain. ali well-regu-
lated comedies of this description have
an actress sornewhere-and to further
his suit he agrees with his valet, Per-
kins, to change places with him, the
valet TO become the earl pro TEN, and
his lordship to assume the role of the
servitor Upon this change of identities
hinges the whole story
The valet. however, is infatuated with
Miss Arabella Loilipop. the younger
daughter of Christopher Lollipop, presi-
dent of the Tafy Trust, and again the
complications receive an added i'm
petus. Perkins confides in Arabella the
fact that ne has become an earl and
asks her TO marry him. From this point
the situations become somewhat en-
tangled Arabella- believes the tale. and
the company at large devotes its entire
energies TO toadying to the bogus earl.
which for the nonce leaves the lively
real carl to pursue the charming An
toinette, the daughter of Rudolph Butz,
an iankeeper in Switzerland. In this
act there, are several specialties intro
duced. that of Mr.. Harry Short. the
valet. being of real worth.
Situations Are Complicated.
In the second act. which is played il
three scenes. the first being the draw
ing room OF Lillipop's home in Lon
don, where the situation becomes even
more complicated than before. particu-
larly as Antoinette evinces decided
penchant for Lord Carniegford, the son
of the Earl of Greenlawn. The usual
love scenes. the exposure of the bogus
valet. and his attempts TO right him
self with Arabella occupy the main fea-
ture Of this act.
Then comes something rather more
risque and something which. though a
trife time honored still is done suffi-
cientIy well TO please. There is but 4
'front.' scene which shows the stage door
e the Folly Theater in London, where
ntoine;te is playing. The earl has
anaged to conceive he has an appoint
nj with his charmer, which his wife,
iy Honora. discovers and arrives at
theater before her husband There
good bit of comedy work here which
es on the old-fashioned stage door !
ler. who, grabbed and sour, man.
10 inject some humorous speeches |
business into the situation.
zen comes the risque portion
the left of the stage door is what /
lars TO be large curtained window !
ling to the ground. This is the |
IS dressing room.
toinette enters. the stage is darken- /
and then comes the old familiar dis
hing scene. which. however. is not
rried to a point where IT might become
ffsnsive.
Perkins decides TO go upon the stage,
nd In the next scene appears IN the |
,arb of a Roman soldier. wherein he
manages to obtain considerable humor.
,rabella. too. has decided to follow her
over upon the stage, and this scene,
which exhibits the dressing tiers of the
FOLLY Theater. furnishes material and
citing for some bright business. Nat
lrally in this scene, the last, things are
nally adjusted, and all ends happily, as
S the manner of musical comedies.
Josephine Hall Wins Konors.
OF the performers little can be said
hat is not good. Naturally Miss Jose
h,ne Hall takes away the honors. for
he is the bright particular star of the
lay in the role of Arabella. Her style.
-hich. by the way, is peculiarly her
wn. is too well known to require ex-
ended comment. She is Josephine Hall,
nd that is all that need be said
OF the newcomers who shine. Harry
hort. who plays the valet, is deserving
commentator. He has a difficult role
portray, but he does IL admirably.
e is comparative newcomer to ,
and his last appearance CT
,te was when he portrayed the part
the Duke in THE Rounders." the c
lrt originated by Dan DAILY. Mr. Shorts !
,eeiaities liyen the performance.
Grace Belmont, too, is a newcomer in 7
stellar role. But a short season or ;,
20 ago she was one of the merry merry !,
orus in several Casino shows in New
,rk. later she was with Edna May in i
'he Girl from Up There" and then | r
n