The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-15
AnuSen1enfs
.A Yankee Tourist"

Raymond Hitchcock, with the famil- far thatch of yellow hair overhanging his angular face. disported himself for two and half hours on the stage of The Grand last night. And incidentally he afforded Q good sized Montgomery audience delightful evening. He did this practically single handed and alone. His support wasn't much to speak of. The costumer and the stage carpenters did all they were paid to do. but if Hitcheock's supporting com pany was no better in New York than it was in Montgomery, it will remain a mystery as to why "A Yankee Tour ist' had such a run on Broadway. It has been six years since Hltch- cock was here in King Dodo." He remarked upon this in a neat curtain speech after the second act last night, for the audience had him out after each act. In six years theatre goers can forget a great deal, for stars and plays come and go and nothing comes and goes faster than the continued run of musical comedy, And although Hitchcock played 'Dodo" here six small part of the audience last night recalled his own peculiar character istics and mannerisms. The audience last night, perhaps, for that very rea- son was a bit slow in waking up to the excellence of Hitchcock's comedy work. But once started, the crowd was enthusiastic. The angular Comedian really had a fine night of it. He had all of the appreciation that was needed to spur him up to his best
 Hitchcock is a comedian by nature --that Is, he could not be anytime else if he tried. Some comedians are such by choice and polish, but the arr tificially developed article never has. and never will, compare with the real thing--the natural product. There is nothing polished or studied about Hitchcock'5s playing. His comedy is apparently the spontaneous expression of his own nature. That's why a big audience forgot all about the financial panic and laughed away all other care last night.
 port that the star receiyed last night was that contributed bS Miss Zabelle. She was quie worthy of her role, which, true enough. was subordinate. "A Yankee Tourist" it might be men tioned in passing. appears to nave been made to order for Hitchcock. The comedian is kept on the stage nine- tenths of the evening.
 Richard Harding Davis wrote the DOCK or the play anu " ID OhAJ JuSNsSS to say that the lines are clever enough. It was the music that was bad. The two hits of the evening were first an adaptation a of the old familiar Wear ing of the Green and a half spoken song by Hitchcock, Whats the Use?,'
 The chorus was good looking and well dressed. The ballet of nations at the close of the second act was really a triumph of costuming, good looks and grouping. The chorus was a little shy on singing. The principals did not outshine the fun in their vocal aecomp- lishments, either.
 But withal Hitchcock managed to five his audience a delightful even- ing.
 Mir. Hitchcock liked the provisions made for the actors in the dressing rooms of The Grand. They were so fine as to be unusual. lie felt called upon to tell his audience how fine the arrangements were. He praised, too' in general terms. the theatre.
 ''The Heir to The Hoorah" will be the attraction>$oni