The Washington times., 1903-09-29
A Musical Play of Fairy
land and a Satire on
Americana Colonization
BothS1perlativelyPer-
formed.
"Toyland, Toyland,
Little girl and bOyland.
Once YOU pass its portals
Won can uefer RETURN AGAIN

int AOA TSOihS NeESt, SuhB III bdDeS
in Toyland" at the National Theater
last night. was of peculiar Significance
TO the audience of grown ups" which
followed each successive scene in this
new and Interesting musical piece with
close attention.
In the midst of more or less meri-
torious stage works-plays which ap-
peal to one's literary sense or are de-
signed to give tribute to the stage me-
ohanic's art-some headed, pure
minded person remembers there are lit
tie children in the world Instead Of
weaving a sordid story about heroine
of questionable morals and presenting
to his audiences a series of uninviting
pictures, ne takes a dozen children,
puts them in a play which breathes
the purity. the happiness of young lives
and if the older heart is not stirred
with a reverence for the beauty and
holiness of childhood. then to him the
mission Of the stage. of life. and of all
things beautiful is for naught.
Men and women who have sat through
Shakespeare. who have marveled at
Wagner and whose thirst for divertise-
ment leads them to many and divers
places-these men and women sat SPELL
bound through the enactment OF Babes
in Toyland" last night. and when it was
all over. the final curtain down. and the
lights out it is safe TO assume that nine
out of every ten wondered where lay
the charm of the piece. and all the time
it was their own. happy. care free child
hood shown to them again in the face Of
graver things. Contrary Mary, Jack and
Jill. Red Riding Hood, Little Miss Muf-
fet, DO Peep. Simple Simon. Tommy
Tucker. Little Boy Blue. and even Bobby
Shaftoe were all in the merry party
which made things merry for two hours
and a half.
Not Play, Fairy Tale.
Babes in ToyIand" is not a play. It
is happy and judicious blending of
songs and games dear to the child of to-
day. but doubly dear TO the one of yes
terday. From the time the first curtain
rolled up and William Norris and Mabel
Barrison danced out in their charming
little tot" clothes until the big drop
shut off Toyland forever the piece was
like a sweet voice from that far away
land of Mother Goose" rhymes and
children's fairy tales.
Just enough good comedy has been
admitted to ''Toyland" to keep the
audience from getting altogether lost
This, however, is distinctly diverting
and. happily. fresh In scenic equipmelt
Babes in Toyland" is all that could
be desired. One scene. the Christmas
Tree Grove. is particularly attractive,
being made up entirely of Christmas
trees set in letter blocks. The opening
scene. a storm at sea. aroused the in
terest which the subsequent sets in
creased in sum like a climax. SPACE
does not permit a lengthy resume of
their features. but its commendable exc
cution recommends at least a mention
OF the toy soldier march led BY William
Norris. This enlisted the services OF
the entire chorus, as automatic dolls. in
as picturesque and novel march as
any stage director ever devised. The
number is an interesting development of
an old German doll ballet known as Die
Puppenfee" and popular years ago in
German presentations.
A Company Worthy Of It's Task.
William Norris is in print, and. be it
gratefully said. in reality the star of
the production. Every time this actor
comes to Washington. it is in new
role. and he adds another success 20
the long chain Of triumphs that hanqs
about his career. He has shown his
friends "in front" that art is not ncces-
sarily confined 10 the serious drama. and
has proved that his artistic shoulders
are quite as capable OF bearing up under
a little boy" suit, as in the robes
of Pope. In the present piece, Mr. Nor
ris IS a real boy-a mirthful, rompiug.
mischievous, whole-soul, happy loving
and lovable boy. A boy like those they
used to grow-a boy that stayed a boy
as long as he could, and then-well. no.
body knows just what this particular
boy did after Toyland faded from view.
but It is safe to assume it was some
thing good.
Mabel Barrison was an excellent foil
for the star and contributed much TO the
entertainment. Amy Ricard. the girl
from Montana" with Mary Mannerlng
last year, is, unfortunately. lost in the
present piece. George W. Denham. a
Washington actor, gives good account of
himself IN a character role. Gus Pixley
Charles Cuyer, Charles Darcy. and Frank
Hayes we're well equipped with con-
genial roles. Bessie wynn claimed the
vocal honors Of the production, and
Nellie Daily did some acrobatic comedy
as Jill that gave her q conspicuous share
OF attention. The realistic animals of the
Spider Forest" were capitally repre-
scented by Robert Burns, as the giant
spider. and Walter schrode as a bear
Although Mr. Macdonough and Mr
Herbert. co-authors of Babes in Toy
land" Will continue TO assure their
audiences that no rain checks" are
given for girl and boyland." these same !
oufhcro have pro.,idod