The Washington herald., 1911-01-10
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THE NEW NATIONAL.
ssThe Old Town."

Inc OA0
There is hardly any doubt that II q
vote could be taken as 10 the compare
tive popularity of the different teams"
now working on the American stage
the names of Montgomery and Stone.
who opened a weeks return engagement
at the National last night. would lead
all the rest
1t is certain that there is no pair of
comedians on the stage to-day who have
the popularity in this city that these
two possess. No matter whether the
piece in which they are playing is three
years old, or whether 1t is in its first
season. Washington theatergoers flock
to the playhouse where the lanky Stone
and his somewhat shorter partner are
performing and applaud enthusiastically
and laugh heartily, the mere announce
ment that Montgomery and Stone are on
the bill being sufficient to insure them
an enjoyable evening.
But in THE Old Town." the vehicle
at present used by the funny pair, Wash
ingt0n knew whereof it thought, for the
piece played here fourteen months ago,
before 1t went to New York for a long
and prosperous run. Those who had
seen Stone do his stunts on the high
wire or throw his lariat with all the
skill of a Mexican COW puncher, who
had heard Montgomery in his "Japo-
Japo-Japanese'' song, or the pair in their
ridiculous christina Swanson with
its accompanying inimitable NJ. & S.
business. did not have to be urged to re-
turn to the National last night. and that
playhouse was filled almost to the doors
with an appreciative. enthusiastic audi
ence, who left at the drop of the cur
tain thankful that they had had another
opportunity to enjoy themselves in the
company of two such capable fun makers
as the stars of this piece. II long
continued applause and insistent encores
are any criterion by which to judge
the success of a musical comedy, then
has THE Old Town more than re-
peated its success of 1909.
The audience noted that several changes
had been effected in ''The Old Town
since its last appearance here A few of
the numbers which did not take so we'll
nave been eliminated and number of
others placed in their stead. One of the
brightest and most attractive of these is
Travel, Travel, Little Star. in Your
One-horse Car the duet with which
the stars make their entrance. From
this time on, through changes the rapid
ity of which fairly makes one dizzy and
disguises which appear the last word in
completeness: through songs bright and
catchy and songs merely funny; through
laughable situations and lines in which
one can see the familiar trademark of
George AIDE at his best, the two come
dams did not fail for an instant to
amuse and delight their hearers.
But although the stars certainly
monopolized large part of the perform
ance. they have surrounded themselves
with-or perhaps one should say that
they surround-a company of singular ex-
cel1ence. With four exceptions, it Is the
same as on the last appearance of 1.-The
Old Town. in this city, and the only
change that does not appear to have
improved the cast is the dropping of
Ethel johnson, who had the role of the
Swedish maid in 1909.
The Reed twins-reaIly, truly twins, SO
we are told-have taken the place Of the
Hengler sisters, and their work last
evening was highly pleasing. Particularly
good was their song with Montgomery
and Stone. entitled When I Think of
fou. and their duet and dance in the
second act. This is the first time that
these young ladies have visited Wash
ington in the role of principals. May
we see more of them.
Alene Crater. whose work here as Mrs.
Bilwether. latter-day Mrs. Malaprop,
was one of the hits Of 1.-The Old Town"
on its last appearance here, repeated her
triumph last night, as did all the other
old favorites.
Despite the fact that this is the second
season of the piece, the chorus appeared
just as lively and the pictures as bright
as on its first visit. and the groupings
in the ''Suffragette'' number were pro-
ductfve of numerous encoreS.
To those who are suffering with the
blues. whose outlook on the world is
gained through a haze of trouble or who
feel that the only one who loves them
is too far off to do any good, one can
only say. Buy a ticket to The Old
Town You'll enjoy the trip and your
return will find you in a far better frame
of mind