The Washington times., 1903-11-17
NAM 'SELLE NAPOLEON"
A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE
Anna Held's New Play a
Triumph of Inyestiture.
WELL RECEIVED AT COLUMBIA
Star Essays Emotional Acting-Sup-
ported by a Good Company-A
Climax of Costumes.

Masters of the arts have contributed
conspicuously to the production of
Nam selle Napoleon which was seen
for the first time locally at the Colum-
bia Theater last night with Anna Held
in the titular role. OF all the musical
productions seen in Washington within
the past twelve months. Nam selle
Napoleon" is without exception the
most gorgeously cOstuined and signally
notable
F'lorenz Ziegfeld. jr.. Miss Held's
manager, has manifestly expended every
effort that money time and study could
induce and the result is that he has OBJ
tained series Of stage pictures rarely
surpassed or even equaled. The cos
tunes provided for the large chorus are
changed with such rapidity, always
with increasing beauty, that the audi
ence is kept in a continual state Of ex-
pectaney as to what new surprise IN
millinery awaits it, Court stage. and
ball gowns follow each other in daz-
zling succession and the climax is final
ly reached when. at the opera ball, the
entire feminine chorus appears in fol
ly' dress, presenting the most brilliant
picture in the series. Mr. Ziegfeld has
attempted in musical comedy what
other managers have reserved for the
serious drama, and the fact that a musi-
cal production can be and has been Of
fered the public in such notable guise
should prove a balm to the feelings of
those persons who deplore the deganer-
acy of art in their Endorsement Of musi-
cal presentations.
A Stage Kaleidoscope.
One of the chief and alIuring features
of Nam 'selIe Napoleon" is the ballet
at the opening of the third act. which
quite surpasses anything Of its kind
seen in Washington for many seasons.
In this the services Of the entire com
pany and a brass band are enlisted.
lance follows dance with the abandon
characteristic OF such fetes. and the
scene is one Of supreme revelry The
arrangement OF the dance is so intri-
cate, the chcruses 50 inspiring, and the
entire scene so brilliant that the c0ly
question which suggests itself is what
amount of time must have been con-
sumed in gaining such results.
OF the play. II need only be said that
Jean RicheDin. its author. and Joseph
Herbert. Its adapter. have selected an
incident in the life OF Napoleon around
which TO weave bit OF story with a
/ musical setting. The story has little
]
: play Napoleon, Fouche, lie Febvre.
I Nine. Sans Gene. and any number of
/ other characters Identified with the life
and reign Of the little Emperor" Gus
/ tav Luders has contributed a group OF
musical numbers adequate TO the gen
eral scheme of the piece and cast OF
principals selected from musical and
/ comedy circles assist the star In the in
depreciation of Nam seiIe Napoleon"
Miss Held Not an Emotionalist.
I Chief interest naturally centered in
I Miss Held's portrayal OF the well-known
/ actress and beauty of Napoleon's time
/ Nile Mars. Critics of other cities have
averred that Miss Held has made great
strides in art IN her assumption OF this
character. and that she has surprised
/ her public by heretofore unknown dra-
matte pOwers-aH Of which may BE-
/ true 20 those same critics But, If the
| evident judgment OF last nights audi
ence may serve as a criterion of Miss
Held's histrionic work. her old and new
admirers will be content TO see her In
/ ethereal comedy roles, where she may
continue 10 wear stunning toilets
/ sing dainty songs, and play havoc with
/ her languorous eyes Miss Held has no1
! the voice or the temperament for deep
/ emotional work, and is seen TO much
more advantage when making comic op-
/ era love than in serious demonstration
/ OF the divine passion" The gowns
worn BY Miss Held are marvels of thl
/ milliner's art. and she sings her lays as
charmingly as Of yore.
/ Frak RushwOrth, formerly Of the Bos
| tonians. and one of the best tenors now
/ before the public is Miss Held's chief
vocal supporter His voice IS smooth
! sympathetic. and even more musica
/ than when he sang the dashing role OF
/ Robin Hood. and ii is a pleasure 10 hear
/ so delightfully."- given even the light
songs he has in the Held piece MathildC
/ COttrelly who refuses 10 get any older
plays Nine. Phillipard with the clever
ness that long ago placed her in tn,
| foremost rank Of American character
/ corlediennes. Joseph Herbert and DaT
/ AfcAvoy do a brother comedy act
throughout the piece. and succeeded II
! keeping the audience highly amused
/ Another comedian. who, unfortunately
/ has not been given his rightful share OF
opportunities Is Franz Ebert. the ia
/ nous LilliDutian. Billie Norton. she Of
] erstwhile variety fame. plays the maiC
to Mars. and a long line Of players
/ completes the cast.
]