New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-06
THE DRAMA
"The Never Homes" at the
Broadway Theatre.

Who can say that New York Is ira
ditionless or that IT has developed nothing
of its very own as long as there Is such
an institution as the annual Lew flelds
production OF music and dances and non
sense and girls and good humor at the
Broadway Theatre? Here, at least. Is one
bit OF theatricals-you cannot deny it-that
does not try TO copy any place or any
body. and that laughs. skips and makes
merry in its own llght-hearted fashion
talks broadway" parodies local issues
and goes its own way rejoicing-and the
audience with II also rejoicing. You at
tend this annual output Of frivolity at the
broadway in something of the same pleas
antly care-free and ready-for-anythins
spirit in which folks used to go on straw
rides before that now too leisurely form
Of amusement passed into the out OF date
This year the words that hurdle the foot
lights IN an irrepressible onrush and with
an irreproachable desire 70 please were
written by Glen MacDonough. The music
that breaks into, the dialogue at all times,
both expected and suddenly, was prepared
by 4. Baldwin Sloane. The yarn that
the production is spun upon (you see II Is
not necessary 20 say motif or even thence
is that the women have at last grasped the
political sceptrc and are ruling with I'M
disputed fervor a town whereabouts not
stated called Lilydale. No need to ask
why they arc called never homes" when
you know that police. fire department
street cleaning. all things, are in their
dainty. beribboned. chocolate favored and
violet scented grasp.
1t is a typical New York show and treats
the suffragette problem as New YORK
loves best to treat all problems and persons
that take themselves seriously, 20 make
perfectly capital joke Of them. Nothing
could be I'm better humor and at the same
time more entirely and delightfully."- foolish
than the ending Of the first act, with the
ladies' fire department trooping out on sud-
den alarm in various stages Of dress and
undress leaving their captain behind, the
only one who knew "the address OF the
FIRE"
The quarters Of the fire department made
by far the best scene ~ the show. and there
was better fun and the greater part Of the
suappy lines assigned 70 g. The scenery
altogether was full, As some one present
described ii. of husky colors. But the
costuming was unusually attractive and IN
good taste.
George Monroe added TO his popularity
and satisfied 10 the point n ecstacy ms
old friends. who were present IN droves ~
the first performance OF The Never
Homes last night. Mr. Santley, with his
beautiful hair; Miss Ray Cox. with her
wonderful voice and the nerve-stirring rem
dering Of her feelings during ride In a
motor: Miss HerleIn, with her high notes
and her smile, were all winners OF storms
Of applause and shouts Of approval Little
Helen HAYES acted as children on the stage
do not usually-that is like "A child. There
was something delightful about the grace
and self-possession Of the tot and the au-
dlence fairly hung on her words.
There ire tunes in the new piece that
will accompany our meals and measure our
strides along the Great White Way for
probably a long time ahead THE Never
Homes" will no doubt be "at home at the
Broadway Theatre for months TO come.