The Washington herald., 1912-11-26
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BELASC0.
"Hanky Panky."

| "hanky Panky."
Call it "Hanky Panky," Long ant
Lanky," or whatever else a foolisl
fancy may happen to dictate, it is al
the same-a typical Lew Fields show
this appropriately termed tumble o
jollification' in two acts, presented a
the Belasco last evening by that premier
producer OF musical comedy.
| And as one might expect, responsibility
for 'Hanky Panky" rests with a famil.
lar quartet. each member OF which has
had finger in the making OF the otheI
Field shows, and all Of which is by way
of saying that Edgar Smith wrote the
\ book, E. Ray Goetz the lyrics A. Bald
| win Sloane the music, and Gus Sohlks
| staged tile production. And author
| composer, and stager have given US In
| their present Offering all of those ele-
ments which spelled success for their
earlier efforts. We have the merry
Smith-like quips passing back and forth
In what Max Rogers would call rapid
suction several tinkly, tuneful, typical
Sloane numbers. with one especially
catchy one thrown in for good measure,
and numerous novelties in chorus eyo-
lutions and groupings.
And when We get down to cast and
cho' US. then We heve something to talk
about. as every one who has ever en-
joyed a Fields fest of foolishness knows.
And before the cast claims too much at
tention let it be said OF the chorus that
II Is by far the prettiest, best dressed,
and altogether most attractive that has
graced the Belasco boards for these
many weeks. And by way of adding
bit of local interest to this pulchri-
tudinous aggregation, 1t might be men
toned that Miss Bessie Sessions, we'll
known here, is making her Washington
debut in the "Hanky Panky' ranks
Getting back to the cast, a veritable
galaxy Of comedy talent. which fills its
mission of fun making with great sue
cess, 1t remained for William MONTGOMERY
and Florence Moore, vaudeville favorites,
to carry or the honors OF the evening.
Miss Moore has rare gift for laugh
making, and while her methods are at
times somewhat startling, they are at
all times effective. However, II is
trifie questionable whether the dignlfied
gentleman who occupied an aisle seat
near the stage particularly relished the
osculatory salute with which Miss Moore
favored him as she passed down the aisle
during her odd Time Ball. number. At
any rate, the rest Of the audience ap-
peared to. Mr.. Montgomery is an ad
mirable foil for Miss Moore, and when
not engaged with her amused himself
and the audience with an excellent wood
en- shoe dance, and then naturally just
had to drag out a miniature piano and
play himself a little tune on II.
Then there is Harry Cooper. as funny
IS ever. and with his almost opera voice
in evidence constantly. His efforts
throughout and especially his second act
number. 'On the Mississippi" won him
many encores. Max Rogers is also there
twisting the good old mother tongue into
more shapes than you see in a Paris
fashion sheet, and now working opposite
Bobby North. ''in Dutch" for the occa-
SION. And to them and the Misses Myr-
tie Gilbert and Flo May falls the most
whistleable number. Where the Edel-
weiss Is Blooming"
Christine Nelson has two numbers
which she sings acceptably, and Clay
Smith displays a toothful smile and a
nfmble pair Of feet in his number with
Virginia Evans. Hugh Cameron appears
to advantage in various guises
Judging from the characters on the
programme, Mr.. Smith contemplated a
burlesque of &c. r. Q. Wallingford,"
which happily didn't materialize. for
'hanky Panky" in its present form 10
easily ''jumhle of jollifcation.'