New-York tribune., 1912-02-11
VAUDEVILLE LIGHTS
BayeS and NorWorth, Their
Music Hall Theory and
How Ii Turned Out.

Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth. who
are two Of the best known "yaudevlllians"
in this country, joined forces To perpetuate
variety entertainments several years ago on
the surprise theory With the definitely
laid out plan of always doing the unex-
pected. these two entertainers sought a
reputation for offering sketches which had
the flavor OF inpromptu. They saw that In
every line OF business constant ehort was
beine made TO secure something new, and
that in no calling was this pursuit for new
ideas kecne- than IN the amusement held.
despite the assertion that the condition OF
the theatrical business was growing un-
certain and that the public would not give
ADEQUATE support to tho productions II
vas their idea that IL business was not
good the fault did not lie with the puoilc'
hut with the producing managers them-
salves. that ;he long suffering public had
grown weary of having the same old thlhej
disbed IN anew to them ana top prices
charged The cry for something new from
tho ,hoatreeoi-g tublic was more par
,io,,orly the cry Of vaudeville audiences,
n,ho were frankly looking for amusement
,rre oulntessencc % novelty on the stage
20 slyav the impromptu entertainer VINO Is
known TO improvise with wording ana hc-
tion as he goes along. and parucuiarV
tbie form of light dramatcs attractive IN
,,,,sic halls and varieties. ~here the nlood
~ an audience IS for frollc ana notlihs
.,rea,,lar" is expected from any one on the
p,orraume Improvisng is' OF course
d,cscu,t enough thing TO do, and requires a
,i,,hIonces Of wit that makes it compara-
,ive,y raro. but az both these youls pay
.rs happened 10 have that particular guar
itv they wisely enough saw It's uselu'hess
"a decided 20 make the most OF II Tor
vaudeville purposes.
xocs Bey.s. called tic genius oi inusi-
cal comedy" together with her cleNer nus
hand lack Norwo.th, will be seen al the
Eyftb Avenue Theatre during the coming
r,aels at the head Of their own selected
co,,,arv of comedians IN ono OF TIER spe-
aioI r-irds Of entertainment entitled "A
,r.,,ca, Surprlsa Party" and which al
,I,orzb cor.rogcd Of selections OF musca
comedv vaudeville. opera, buriesque' CON-
aort lagcrdeulalr and general potpoufn
% tba famous Baves and Norworth IDEAS
including general selection OF their OWN
| songs will bc OF an elastic enough nature
! 70 leave openings for the play OF the IN
sp;ration Of the moment
Nora .Bavcs writes the music ard JACK
vorr.orih writes ,hc lyrics Of their songs
and their work is done in studio IT 'her
home on West End avenue,
Jacl, Norworth few years ago was
= cboi- bov lr tho Church Of The Epiphany
~ paiIaleIpria. He was discovered by I'd
v.,rd T. Nlbcc. q theatrical manager Wn'
or-arrd him at orcc ror two years OF con-
cccut;yc rIaying Later on he became
rarodr SINGER and was considered one OF
the best on tho American stage
Tho kind of entertainment which Bayes
,rd Norworth have worked ont ''21''e'
! ie something or tho order of the oid s'hool
NJ nlavcrs who amused London at the Gai-
/ ..,,, rra7tr,. where 'thc sacred lamp ot
! burIcsorc Burned" under the management
/ or Jobn Uolilngshcad. whose principal
rIsvo~e were Nellie Fsrren. Connie Gil
christ and Edward Terry. Errlosque' as u
was known al London's Gaieiy' had "o'
} ho.p sr.n IN This country until Nora BaycS
! and lack Norworth called attention 10
themselves by their work as comedians.
/ Whether the "impromptu idea" has pros
uo,od or not can better be gathered by evil
dcnces OF material returns than lN any
other way For their present tour MI anu
! Mrs Nor, s..N and their associate p'aNefs
enjoy the comforts Of home. 1hoy occupy
their own private Pullman car. "hicn was
milf AT a cost OF $1,000 This car is prac-
ticallv 'hotol dc luxe on wheels.