The Washington herald., 1907-04-02

Those who were present at the Belasco
fheater last highland the audience was
so large that every seat was taken-might
well have said they were in society, in
deed, for a representative audience Of the
best people in Washington turned out TO
the performance of the musical comedy by
MIR. Phelps Brown, We Are in Society"
The performances are for the benefit of
the Washington Junior League of the
National Junior Republic, OF which Miss
Catharine cullom Ridgeiy is president. 1t
is to her that the performances are due.
Mr.. Phelps Browns musical comedy is
bright. dainty. and entertaining, aud il
was most admirably performed last night.
Indeed, there was absolutely nothing
about it to Indicate the work of amateurs.
From beginning to end it was delightful
entertainment, needing no apologies on
any score at all
Every one of the principals OF the COM
pany acquitted themselves with credit.
but the great star of the evening was
Miss Olga Converse. In the first act her
work was only apparent in the chorus.
but even here she made a decided hit. by
her grace and splendid viyacity When,
IN the second act she came to do individ-
ual numbers, her work was so artistic
so graceful. and so entirely beyond that
of the usual amateur that the large au-
dience simply rose at her; not content
with the ordinary applause they cheered
loudly-sO that II really seemed like an
audience in some Continental city-and
her graceful dancing was one Of the big
features of the evening.
Her first hit was made in the song with
Mr.. Cough and the chorus: THE Roller
Rink for Mine Here her work was de-
lightful, Her singing was entitled to very
high praise and her dancing was a sheer
delight. She followed il with d speciality.
Down Connecticut Avenue" that would
have done credit to any professional.
number that was vocferOusly applauded
and Yet IN spite OF the cheers of the audi
ence, il did not get praise enough There
Is many professional on the stage earn
ing fabulous, salary whose work will not
compare with that Of this talented young
lady
Mrs. Thomas G. Noyes, as Yyolette dis
played to great advantage a voice which
is well known in Washington for its
pureness Of tone and remarkable clarity
and sweetness. Her first number "A Life
in Song. was enthusiastically received
and her song IF I Can't Have You, Dear"
was delightful. it was a pity that Mr.
Le Roy Cough, who played opposite TO
her. could not have let go Of himself as
Mrs. Noyes did, and thus lent greater
verisimiltude 10 the situation Mrs
James Mitchell. as Miss Whirlev Fly
away, was astonishingly good. and Mrs
James Hooe and Miss Edith Spofford DIS
Mrs Bullingham and Mrs Bearingham,
respectively. Miss SpoTOrd especially dis
played talent in the Hello Girl" song.
OF the men. the comedy hOnOrs went Ia
Mr. Andrew y Bradley as Hastings Hunt
ngton- He shows himself an excellent
comedian and avoids well that tendency
to oTerdO "a part which is the drawback
of so many amateurs. His song, ssTo "a
SOFT Drink, was one Of the hits OF ihe
evening. Ia the singing line, Of course.
among The men the honors went 10 Mr.
George O'Connor for his fine singing Of
Money Mad. the Auto Coon Song.
"Fantalizing Liza, and others. AIr
Phelps Brown. as Count Sans Argent.
caused good deal OF merriment. and Or
Alfred Hopkins. as the Senator. Was very
good. Mrs. Piquette Mitcnei. as Mrs
Packington. did some very clever work
especially IN the graceful Spanish dance i'm
the second act. where she was most ably
assisted by Mr.. Piquette Mitchell
The comedy itself is slight, but il proves
an adequate vehicle on which TO hang the
number of fine specialties. and il may be
truthfully said that the piece has not a
dull moment II is full of color. tuueful
humorous. delightful. aud it proved an en-
tertainment that evoked the strongest en-
thusissm
Especially good was the work Of the
chorus. The ensemble numbers showed
the effect of careful drilling and of con
scientious effort. The dancing was grace
ful and fine. and the fresh young voices