The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-30

NafionaI--Iarry BuIger In New Mn-
steal Comedy, "NOah's Ark"

NafionaI--Harry Buiger in New Mn-
steal Comedy, "Noah's Ark"
Harry Bulger. one OF the eleyerest COM
edians who heads musical comedies in
this country. has at last got a vehicle
that gives him a real opportunity, in
"Noah's Ark. by Claire Hummer, which
was seen for the first time in Washing
ton at the New National Theater last
night. The piece is only about six days
old. but already It has been whipped into
such shape that II does not take prophet
to predict that "Noah's Ark" is likely to
be one Of the big hits of the next theatre
cal season.
1t seems curious that no one has before
thought Of such a theme. II might be
considered treadlng on dangerous ground
to take such a subject for a Fiotaus mu-
steal comedy, but it has been deity
handled. and the result Is a show that Is
fun Of jolly good fun and that offends
the taste nowhere.
There is not much Of consequence about
the show; the first act is laid on top Of
Mt Ararat, just after the food. and the
second act some 1000 years later. but that
does not really matter. The story gives
excuse for a lot Of bully good music,
some cheerful and clever dancing; the in
PRODUCTION OF some dialogue that is witty
ana bright, and the whole thing is COS
TUNED and drilled so that it is delight
to the eye
or course. in ''Noah's Ark Harry Bull
ger is the center Of attraction; as Bill the
Bosun he has many opportunities for the
sort of fun which he can interpret best
and the dialogue which has been given
him he makes the most Of It is full of
those plays upon words which Bulger de-
lights IA. and so he makes ali OF them tell
ard the result Is very funny. He has two
songs. too. that are delicious; in the first
act "a song called MT Noah" and in the
second act one called "Reincarnation %
Both give ample opportunity for hits at
local political and social fads, and both
were encored so heartily that Mr. BuIger
ran out Of verses. He has another good
song with the big chorus in the second
act, Come Along With Ne" that also
made a hit with the audience.
The company back OF Mr.. Bulger is an
excellent one. There Is Miss Sallie Fish
CT, pretty OF presence BFdceiui as they
make them, and with a voice that Is I'M
usual IN its qualities to charm. Her first
song, Down by the Sea- is one Of the
hits Of the show, bar her second song.
MY Very own" is more than likely 10
be one Of the popular hand-organ tunes
Of next summer II was delightful
Clever work was done In both acts by
Mr.. Stanley Forde who PLAYS the part OF
Mr.. Noah. He has a fine stage presence
and a baryt0ne voice OF fine quality. so
that bis M Noah" and Ny Castle In
the Air" were markedly enjoyed. Mazda
Snyder also does some very clever work
Her song. "Ou A-qrat." was very enjoy
able. as was beer '1Iary, Come Down" in
the second act. Indeed ''Noah's Ark Is
hlied with high-ciass and enjoyable mu-
sic. II is funny throughout. tuneful pie
turesque. There is a large chorus well
drilled and brilliantly costumed. and alto
gether the show Is one that provides an
entertainment of high character and de-
signed 10 tighten the burdens Of life
'Noah's Ark viii be the btu at the New
National all the week. and 1t should
cure many people Of the blues.