The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-16
WELCOME IS WARM
FOR COMEDY TEAM
Montgomery and Stone Win
Approval in The
Old Town"

All Washington IS glad today that
Montgomery and Stone are back. The
vehicle doesn't matter greatly. but it
was THE Old Town and was seen at
the National Theater last night.
Not for many a day has a Washing
ton audience warmed up like the first
nighters did when this pair Of favorites
began 10 show what they could do.
II must have been very pleasing to
these versatile young men, too. for
the vehicle in which they appeared is
more like a One-horse shay than a 60
horsepower car.
The lines Of the play do not reflect
great credit upon George AIDE. nor Is
there any plot worthy Of mention, but
these weaknesses are overlooked.
Whenever there is a breach in the origi-
nal lines and a pause in the applause
threatens, one OF the pair springs some
thing unexpected.
Audience Loses Itself.
When the curtain went down and the
house had chance to draw p good
breath and feel a trihe ashamed at hav-
ing forgotten itself so completely In a
whirlwind of foolishness. IL was hard
to decide whether one had seen an en-
tire vaudeville bill, a circus, or world
congress Of beauty, so Kaleidoscope had
been the changes of costumes and situa-
lions. AS a pair of showmen, Mont
gomery is the circus manager and Stone
the star attraction. They appear again
as a pair Of ScOtchmen. then as an
old Swede and his wife, until finally
Montgomery. backed by almost the en-
tire company In NippOnese costuming,
appears as a distinguished japanese Wis
itor and sings one of the hits Of the
performance. Then Stone, the versa
tile, comes on as Mexican COW
puncher. and does stunts" with lasso
that would do credit to the real article.
Miss johnson Scores.
Not all Of the credit. how ever. belongs
to these headIiners. for t'isy are sup
ported by an excellent company that IN
Cludes Ethel Johnson, the Hengler sis
tiers. Allene Crater and Charles DOx.
Miss Johnson, even more charming
than OF old, appears IN the role Of a
Swedish maid. not the easiest in the
world. and while her singing is hamp-
cred by a cold, she scored great hit
both with her song ana 1eT dancing.
The Heugler Sisters haven't great OPP
pOrtunities with their speaking lines, but
their team dance had to be repeated
time and time again IN tdct, the en-
tire company can dance. and so con-
tagiOus does the rhythm become that one
looking on has a hard time keeping
ones feet still.
In the lines there are occasional
flashes Of the AIDE humor. Just now
and then is there enough Of a pause to
slip in a merry QuiD. For the rest the
work of Montgomery and Stone and
their aids save the day. Added TO their
good work are stunning girls who wear
beautiful gowns and can sing and dance.
IN the suffragette song, IN particular,
their appearance was the signal for a
round Of applause
Synopsis Of Plot.
The plot OF the piece. what there IS Of
II. is builded about the happenings OF
two young fellows who have left THE
Old Town" to seek their fortunes. It
follows the regular lines lai1 down for
musical creations and carries them
through all sorts Of vicissitudes of for
tune
on their rvst appearance the pair
come into to- hmelieht with their cir
Gus on the verge of disruption. To save
the day the Open-air performance IS
given. with MONTGOMERY in the role Of
a rODe-w alker, their artist having aban-
doned the show. They meet the girls
they left at home, now adopted by a
millionaire uncle. find a fortune and,
after a series Of adventures, succeed in
winning their swcetheartS. despite the
sCheming OF an ambitious aunt to mar
rY them to two celebrities
AS a genuine. wholesome laugha bic
show, The Old Town" deserves a place
IN the front rank of the seasons sue
Cesses.