Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-21
ADJUSTMENTS
Weber and Fields.

Before an audience such as Washing
ton rarely vouchsafes to dramatic Of
fering in springtime, the imperishable
Weber and Fields. with their galaxy of
stars Of the famous days of their playhouse
in New York, came back at the Belasco
yesterday afternoon in way to astonish
the "old-timers' and to put crimp in
the pride of youngsters who strenuously
deny that the old days were best"
Hickey Pokey' was the name of their
hodge pOdge.
From the time the orchestra started off
with bound into lively rollicking air
as the asbestos curtain assembled. those
who had never seen a Weber and Fields
show knew that something very unusual
was coming. 1t was in the atmosphere.
And as the second curtain slowly lifted,
unfolding characteristic scene of the old
music hall whose fame seems destined to
live at least as many more years as 1T
has already lasted, one watched and
waited.
One by one in their turn the old stars
reappeared-the perennial beauty OF LII
liam Russell, not one bit dimmed by
time: the rotund but always lively Fay
Templeton. with her gorgeous contralto
and inimitable songs; john 1. Kelly, the
more sore sides from laughter than any
man in his line: George Beban, the droll
and excitable Frenchman; Willie Collier,
with his unique blend of humor. dancing
Garrick his handsome and gifted foil.
and even frankie Bailey, model OF
physical womanhood. until one wondered
If it was the fortuitous favor of fortune
i'm other lines, or only the break that
time makes in all things, that such a
company should ever have been dispersed.
One face was missing, and those who
have laughed the hours away In the New
amusement lovers who have never seen
| it. missed genial Pete Daley.
OF course, the keystone OF the COM
| bination and its creators. Weber and
| Fields themselves. were there, Just as
ridiculous, just as laughable, just as
| original as in the days agone. 1t was q
| great combination, and a great show. II
/ is useless to attempt to describe IT. Tor
| its real interest and elements or enjoy
ment are almost indescribable. Nor
! would one dare single out any OF the per-
| formers for exploitation. None of them
needs it, and it would not be fair to the
| remainder
The chorus of itself, a galaxy of femi-
| nine grace and beauty, such as is rarely
4 seen this side of New York, even in the
| great spectacular productions that come
| direct from the metropolis with the same
| cast and identically the same produc-
| quately describe. Youth, beauty. and
| best of all, the ability to do everything
| required of it in the best possible way
approximates description, but its work
Il
| as chappies and chickens" SO familiar
| in an old Weber and Fields show. or &C.
companying Fay Templeton in her Scotch
version of "Alexander's Ragtime Band.
or lending color to a romantic picture as
the immortal Lillian vainly calls dowr
| ''The Evening Star from the armament
or yet as troupe of white face Ministries
| arrayed for a street parade, or accom-
panying John T. Kelly in his laughabl,
| compliment IF 1t Wasn't For the Irisi
| and the Jews" it is a chorus that will b,
recalled in after days by all who saw
| and heard II.
Lillian Russell, as radiantly beautiful
as ever, seems to sing with the same ole
sweetness, and. when taunted with hel
frequent change of name by the mis-
chievous Willie Collier. bowed her &C
acknowledgements to the audience. and. will
her face wreathed in smiles. she wished
at least to a portion of those wht
laughed at the taunt. the same to yo'
and many of them" Fay Templeton hal
not lost in weight, nor has she lost any
of the gorgeous beauty OF her Lowell!
voice. nor yet her coy way OF handing
you one In all else save girth, per
haps, she is the same. John T. Kelly