The Washington herald., 1908-03-24

dainty little actress and a dainty
comedy proved = combination Of most at
tractive proportions last evening at the
New National Theater. when an audience
probably one OF the smartest and most
distinguished Of the season, was on hand
to lend aid TO the worthy benefit OF the
House Of Mercy and to do homage 10 the
youngest American star-Elsie Janis.
The Hoyden,' adapted from the French
/ by CosmO Hamilton. is precisely the style
and weight OF setting IN which one would
prefer to see Elsie Janis: and il bright
songs. bunch Of pretty and handsomely
dressed girls, snappy comedy. and other
wise entertaining business constitute
success. this show needs 20 run second to
very few Of the performances Of its kind
seen here in quite a while II plot there
be, no one seems TO take much stock in
it, the people on the stage are too busy
being amusing and clever. and the au-
dience too much occupied in applauding
and in enjoying itself 10 bother about
small thing like that. II was a case OF
every one being satisfied last night and
so The Hoyden'' and Elsie Janis may be
said 10 have admirably performed their
joint duty, which is obviously 70 rescue
Us from the parched desert OF recent in
ane attempts TO separate the public from
its coin.
Elsie Janis is the same frolicsome and
charming little girl that we have known
ever since she was so high,'' or there
abouts. Her capabilities are upon every
ones tongue, and il not. they ought 70
i ha rh fu
slip Of a girl who has grown I'd from a
| state Of precociOus childhood 10 be a real
comfort 70 the public In It's old age She
has shown Us that she has an ambition
above the limitations In which she first
attained top-iine nOtoriety. Last night
/ just as though 10 prove her versatility.
she gave US Barrymore (EtheD. Anna
| Held, Rose Stahl. and a few others OF
/ eccentric mien. turned a handspring or
| two. climbed a tree descended ladder
/ from perilOus heights, and varIously
romped.' hoped. skipped. and literally
jumped into the affections OF the audi
ence, until, after the second act, she was
forced TO acknowledge her gratitude In
a curtain speech. whereupOn an enthUsi-
asst tore OF a corsage bouquet Of violets
and threw IL upon the stage-witb mighty
I good aim for one Of the fair sex, too.
Joseph Cavthorne. hailed with shouts
Of laughter upon his entrance. and all
through the play. IN which he has much
10 do, envelOped the scene with a thick
/ fog of his familiar Dutch dialect. and
/ seemed unable to keep his rs from r-r-
rolling all r-r-rOund the stage He has
one OF the funniest roles he has had for
| some time. and made good in furnishing
| nearly all OF the comedy. having little or
no assistance from the male portion OF
/ the cast He and Miss Janis make an
| excellent comedy team, and sang a Dutch
song together most effectively Cav
thOrne's topical song That's Why I'm
Single was repeatedly eneored. Equally
catchy was Miss Janis I'm Growing
| Fond of You"
| The cast surrounding Miss Janis Is an
excellent one. and includes Nellie Beau
mont. Arthur Stanford. Samuel Reed
Annie Esmond. Jessie Richmond. who has
& voice of unusual sweetness: Edgar
Halsted. and La NOveta. tanseuse.
! The scenic effects are tasteful and have
an appearance Of freshness. which defies
the lateness Of the season. The costumes
are beautiful and expensive-looking. at
least. The orchestra is under the direc-
| ton Of Robert Hood Bowers who. with
John L. Golden, Is responsible for most
of the music sung during the perform
ance
The Hoyden'' IS a good show and a
clean one, and amusing from start TO
| finish. II is swift, and has a go TO II
/ that many a more pretentiOus musical
| comedy might envy