The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-10-14
Anna Held's Show a Bril-
liant Production, Though
Not fer the Actress or the
Composer.

Anna Held's show. THE Little Ouch
ess,'' is a splendid example of the tri-
umph of the dressmaker. the milliner
and the scenic artist over the librettist.
the composer, the actor, and the actress,
for above everything else in the per-
Torrance at the National Theater last
night stands out the art of the cos
tuner. the designer of the headgear
worn by the feminine members of the
company and the admirable painting or
Artist Albert.
Of course. Anna Held was there as the
star of the affair, but she, as well as
the others of the cast, were completely
showed under by the riot of coors of
the dresses. the wonderful millinery dis
play and the beautiful lights.
Stripped of its gaudy plumage and at
tired in the conventional musical COM
edy garb, THE Little Duchess would
be about as idiotic and as uninviting
as most of these inane pieces that are
called musical comedies by enthusiastic
press agents. And while there was
great zeal of applause last night, most
of it was called forth by the sumptu-
business of the production. the success
sion of glittering pictures that was pre-
sented-mostly sartorial exhibitions
that caused the feminine portion of the
audience to utter little gasps of de-
light and envy. and the men 10 mentally
calculate the cost of the whole affair.
Changes in the Piece.
There have been good many changes
made in 1.-The Little Duchess since 1t
was given here n year ago. Much OF
Reginald DeKovens music has been
tossed aside. while Harry B. Smith, the
father of the libretto. would not recog-
nize his child. The performance is more
of the popular sort now; the musical
numbers are more jingly and the situa-
lions that are supposed TO be funny are
better worked up. But while the per-
formance has been improved in one
way, in another the entertainment is
not so good as formerly.
Charles Bigelow, now lost in the
Weber G. Fields company, is succeeded
by Joseph Herbert, and while Mr.. Her
bert could not be bad, no matter in
what sort Of role he might be placed,
he is plainly out of his element in the
part of the bathing master, while the
gentleman who has Mr. Herbert's last
years part, Edward Durand. is dis
tinctly lacking in humor, and wobbles
around in a most distressing manner.
If the management had only left Mr..
Herbert undisturbed in his old par ana
secured another successor TO the Bige
low gentleman THE Little Duchess
would be much stronger in its comedy
department, and Mr.. Herbert would, no
doubt. be greatly relieved.
Hubert Wilke wears costume that
makes him look too sweet for anything
and he makes love 10 the star and
sings Ellen Wright's "violats" song
in the most murderous fashion mag
Unable.
Star Much the Same.
Miss Held gives very much the same
sort OF performance as last year She
wears some dresses that can in all
verify be called stunning and she
only half sings her songs, because she
only has half voice. but she uses her
eyes as effectively as ever. She's Anna
Held, the star of the show. though, and
gets in the way of the calcium when
IL, alr 4.
and interesting in kitty-catty sort |
of way, and the audience likes to gaze
upon her and her manner of wearing |
gowns.
Louise Royce sings Eva Davenport's |
part, and does eXcellently. The chorus |
OF Sadie Girls is better dressed than |
ever, even if the girls are not so good |
looking. Billy Norton, the handsom- |
est and most distinguished OF the fem |
mime contingent, has a small part that |
she handles cleverly, and Anna St. Tell, |
too, has a few lines to speak, besides |
which she does some splendid dancing
with George Marion.
Mr. Marion is entitled TO a large share
of praise for the general excellence of
the production, as he staged the piece,
besides Interpreting one of the principal
roles in his usually capable manner.
Saharet's Remarkable Dancing.
The feature OF The Little Duchess"
is the American dancer, Saharet, who
has been appearing in the prominent
music halls of the continent for the
past five years. Saharet does not ap-
pear until almost the end of the per-
Torrance. She is unlike any other ma
tive dancer. She is a beautiful young
woman to begin with, and then she
dances with really marvellous grace
and experiences. She has smile that
is fully as alluring In it's way as any
thing Anna Held ever did with her
eyes, and she seems to take pleasure
in her terpsichorean diversions, and
whirls around the stage with an abandon
and agility that are remarkable. Sa-
haret. besides being physically attrae-
tive, displays gown that is. if any
thing, even more gorgeous than any
of the other members of the company
are provided with. Her dances last
night were the most artistic part of the