Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-26
A M U S E N E N T S.
New National.

Almost akin to the famous though fab
ulous achievement of Atlas carrying the
world on his shoulders is the performance
of George Huntley, who succeeds in up
holding that cosmopolitan trifle Of farce
and song Kitty Grey" which consti-
tutes the weeks attraction at the New
National Theater.
The piece reflects London Paris. New
YORK and in certain intonations of the
companyS speech our own middle west.
The chorus is comprehensive, not only
geographically. but as to time. since it
represents IN its tuneful personnel the
past as well as the present. Experience
has evidently been more considered than
mere superficial attractions, and perhaps
this is wise, since it ables the perform
ance to impress itself as one of those
London creations which are distinguished
rather by polish than by broad and origi-
nal effects. The discipline which makes
an English musical production a COM
plete creation running as smoothly as
clockwork. with songs Ginning in and
ludlcrOuS demonstrations peallng out at
exac. intervals is inseparable from d GER
tain sense of restraint. The finish of the
performance is unquestioned. There are
no rough edges. 1t is Sandpape to a
degree of smoothness that reduces it at
times to unsubstantial translucency.
The plot Is in general way seen
through at glance, and the characters
are trimmed to conventional shapes and
sizes All this is most agreeable and
satisfying. provided there is somewhere in
the performance the strong note OF per-
sonaity which compes interest. Mr..
George Huntley supplies this element.
The product of hereditary wealth and
idleness is delicately and effectually
satiriZed in his portrayal of the Earl of
Dulston- 1t is not harsh burlesque, nor
yet arrangement. Instead of being in
any sense a horrible example, the earl
demonstrates the superiority of heart over
brain. since his genial frankness more
than compensates for a lax method of as
sembling and expressing his ideas, due
rather to intellectual Incidence than
native lack of gray matter. Mr.. Huntley
has made the study of this type peculiar
ly his own, and while there are exag
gerations they are SO deftly attained that
they pass unnoted. He takes an audience
most thoroughly into his confidence. adj
dress ng it now and then in aside speech
es across the footlights, without seeming
to do SO. A relationship of most jovial
understanding is speedily established, and
it is maintained throughout the perform
ance.
story which serves as a frame for
the Huntley character study is not unfa-
m1l1ar to patrons of musical comedies,
concerning as it does the neglected wife
who visits an actress who has won her
husband affections and learns from her
the art of charming the opposite sex.
mere are episodes which threaten TO take
on the seriousness of the problem play,
but they are speedily sung or danced
out of attention. The title role is as
sumed by Julia Sanderson. whose come
ilness accounts for the fascination her
character eXerts in the story of the play
Eva Kelly has a serious part, that of
the neglected wife She plays it more
with view to sentiment than to comedy.
Inc responsibility for comic song which
ihlhEles the Srlfesome with the ludicrous
IN discussing the marital adventures of
Henry VIII is allotted to the competent
care of Charles Angelo. Mr.. Angelo
gives a good Interpretation of the repre-
sentative of petty royalty who allows
ms throne to take care of itself while
he oombards ladies of the footlights with
jewels. He receives valuable assistance
in his song from James NJ Elhern. who
mas an unostentations but effective vein
of humor. The songs ripple lightly and
agreeabiy through what is unquestion-
ably most satisfactory evenings enter
tainment.