The Washington times., 1903-12-08
ROGERS BROTHERS DEAL
NONSENSE BY THE YARD
Evening Of Mirth at the
National Theater.
VAUDEVILLE WITHOUT PLOT
New Play of Doubtful Quality for High
Priced Houses Where Refined
Audiences Go.

When the curtain fell on the final act
of ''rhe Rogers Brothers in London"
which had its initial local presentation
last night at the National Theater, it
is doubtful if anybody who attended the
performance could have repeated one Of
the endless chain of quips that were
sent in quick succession over the foot
lights Despite this fact an audience
that completely filled the house sat for
more than two hours and laughed long
and heartily at the sallies and ridiculous
situations presented in the latest Nc
Naliy piece
1t was not the humor of Hawtrey.
fine and delicate, nor, indeed, could it
lay claim to anything that called for
real intellectual appreciation 1t was
the humor that brought out that fool
ish impulse in nine-tenths of humanity
that makes them sit up in public and
laugh at the most senseIess and ridicu-
ious lines of comedy that can possibly
be put together.
Had this duo of comedians started
out TO offer anything in the way of
legitimate comedy they would certainly
have been severely scored by every
lover Of straight" comedy and every
discerning dramatic critic that put pen
10 paper However. that is just what
they did not do. with the result that
their honesty of purpose has filled the
houses where they have appeared, and
their ridiculous jokes have made hun
dreds Of serious minded persons laugh.
and all with a bit of froth ably served
and gracefully partaken.
Simon Pure Comedians.
When that is said. all is said. The
Rogers Brothers are simon pure
comedians, with claims only to non
sens4cai laugh-provoking material for
their various stage performances. When
they make no pretense=st any higher
purpose one certainly cannot condemn
their failure to give the public a view
OF intellectual or legitimate comedy. In
their present Offering. as in all which
have preceded it, their performance is
continued vaudeville show, with links
enough in the way of plot to carry the
stars and their supporting company
across the big pond and back again-all
IN full view OF the audience.
Much as a busy and induIgent public
likes 10 be entertained, yes, and even
in a free-hearted way like that of the
Rogers Brothers. the audiences that
are accustomed TO patronize such
houses as those in which these coined .
ians s9e won't to appear, are not. salts
ned 70 listen TO eoassev 50kess \ Many
Of the lines in the present piece are
such that need only complete elimina-
ton. When men care to listen to and
laugh at such things-and there are
such men, as last night proved-they
may pay the small sum of Is cents and
patronize the burlesque houses. An
audience that pays frst-class theater
prices wants refinement. and plenty Of
it. mixed UP with as much fun as any
writer for the stage desires TO furnish.
Same as of Yore.
The Rogers Brothers are the same
amusing comedians as in other days.
tThey tell their funny stpries. sing their
songs and perform GENERALLY TO the en-
joyment of old and new friends. Joseph
Coyne, one Of the most popular players
chief support Of the stars, and right
glad everybody was to see him last
night. Coyne is clever and the local
public knows II. Melville Ellis has HIS
name on the program twice-once as
Lord Harry Hartford and again up top
with Max Hoffman as joint composer OF
the music. In both instances Mr.. Ellis
makes good His greatest hit, how
ever. is as a real show girl" Diet
richstein never wore skirts to such good
advantage. Lillian Coleman, Sue Stu
art, Neva Aymer, and half a dozen
other attractive girls make up the femi-
nine principals. The chorus Is beauti-
fully gowned and the stage setting ade-
Quate