The Washington herald., 1906-11-06

'The Belle of Mayfair" E1tertains "A
Large Audience at the National.
The latest musical comedy TO reach
these shores from England began its en-
gagement at the National Theater last
night under the favorable circumstance
afforded by an audience not only large
bue generously approbative. The Belle
of Mayfair" the music of which Is by
the composer Of 'Florod0ra." Leslie Stu
art, and the book by C3smO Hamilton
and Charles II. T. R-ookfeld. belongs 10
that attractive category of precedent
musical comedies among which can be
named "a Runaway Girl" "The Silver
slipper" The Catch of the Season. anG
he like-a select list, embodying those
peculiar alIurements 'acklng when none
can be really successful. It would not
be easy 10 state just exactly what il IS
that makes high-class gayety pieces in
general. and the new Belle in particu-
Jar, but catchy tunes. Hitting melodies.
pretty women, and clever, refined. and
genuine comedians. bright and timely
witticisms, 10 say nothing Of scenery,
costumes, and pcs. have all their especial
parts in the work Of fascination
There IS a most attractive array of tall
ent set forth ia the cast OF The Belle Of
Mayfair Irene Bentley whose beauty
and freshness have always made her
favorite, played the role Of II. s. II. Prin-
cess Carl Of Ehbreneitstein with her
usual dash. and scored In several good
songs the And the Weeping Willow
Wept" giving her the best opportunity.
To Christie Macdonald was intrusted the
part of Julia. played in London By Edna
May, and she sang and acted with a fetch
ing ingenuousness that could not have
been OutdCne by even Edna herself
NaleSka Suratt made a striking Lady
Rosaline Rocksley. Annabelie Whitford
was amusing as an affected woman OF
society, and Jennie Ooie as Lady Chaldi-
cOtt was a typical picture Of the match
making stage mama Bessie Clayton, who
is one Of the best-knOwu dancers Of the
stage. performed several difficult dances.
ana sang a duet with Mr. Martinetu called
MY Little Girl Is a Shy Little Girl
With the exceBtion of Richard Carroll
as Sir John ChaldicOtt and Ignaci0 MaTti-
netti as the Count de Perrier. the male
portion OF the east is not as efficient as
the occasion would seem 10 demand. The
two mentioned furnished q good deal Of
refined comedy but Van Rensselaer,
Wheeler has small chance TO show that
ability which has given him q high place
in musical comedy. Jack Gardner's song.
what VIII the World say" was well re-
ceived
In spite Of its wealth Of elaborate cos
tuning. and two handsome stage settings.
and a company of well-iiked principals.
''Fhe Belle Of Mayfair cannot lay claim
10 being anything but the usual easy
going cOncoctiOn with which theater-
goers have grown familiar Mr.. Stuart's
music IS excellent. there being one or two
stirring numbers that viii become i'm
mensely popular and every attention has
been given TO details Of stage manage
ment and the drilling OF ensembles The
chorus was headed by eight statuesque
snow-giris. whose gowns were works Of
art
Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Mitchell enter
tanned box party. as also did Mr. IT,
". Rariey. In the audience were Capt
and Mrs. Richardson Glover, Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Poor Mr.. and Mrs. George
Howard. Col Frank Denny and Miss
Esther Denny, Dr and Mrs. George Bar
RE, Mrs. Henry Sherman BoU,er. Mr.. and
Mrs. Sutherland, Mrs. Able. Miss ErroI
Cuthbert Brown. Miss Bloomer. Mr.. and
AIRS John +. Wilkie and Mr. and Mrs.
Fischer