The Washington herald., 1912-08-27
AT' I|[iI|Izz EiIIlIzA II2IzS
POLLS rHEArER.
"Little Johnnx Jone..,

| Two months ago when IL was announc-
ed to the Poll Players tIst Three
Twins" would be produced. loud was the
wall Of despair. Principals Of the COM
pany declared they couldn't sing. but
the management was equally insistsnt
that they be made to sing. When the
announcement OF musical comedy reached
the public ear 1t so stirred curiosity that
the house was packed during the entire
week with good-natured audiences which
made the occasion sort of gala AFFAIR.
applauding the efforts Of their favorites
without discrimination.
Encouraged by the reception Of Three
Twins" Mr.. Poll Is this week offering his
Washington players in George NJ. CO.
hans early success, Little Johnny
Jones'" with Graham velsey cast In the
title role, which proved last night one
Of the redeeming features Of offering
company of dramatic stock In musical
comedy.
Mr.. VeIsey sang THE Yankee Doodle
Boy" 'Life's a Funny Proposition After
AL" and Give My Regards to Broad
way" the latter having immortalized
the Great White Way" when sung in
the original production by George N.
Conan. who wrote the book. composed
the music, and created the role OF
Johnny jones'" the young American
jockey, who was accused by Anthony
Anstey. an American gambler. who
wanted him out Of the way. Of "trow-
ing the London Derby, Just when
Johnny Jones was the idol Of the hour
Dropped by his friends. tho usual ''un-
known" OF musical comedy plots be-
friends him and eventually clears his
good name.
Mr.. velsey sang THE Yankee Doodle
Boy" well and proved himself q capable
dancer in this number.
The Give My Regards to Broadway"
song, which ends the second act on the
pier at Southampton. was somewhat
termittent contortions OF the big boat.
which made frantic efforts to pull out of
the dock. and was finally seen lighted up
in the distance making a tremendous
effort to stick to the waves.
There was nothing, however, TO mar
Mr.. Velsey's final song. "Life's a Funny
Proposition, After ALL" nor the You
and I" duet. In which he shared honors
with Gertrude Bondhill.
Miss Bondhill is cast this week in the
role of Goldie Gates. originally created
by Ethel Levy, in which she sang Miss
Levy's great hit of the original produc-
ton, Good BY, Flo" in a singuiariy
sweet contralto voice, which won for her
repeated curtain calls last night.
IZetta Jewel was seen as Florabelle
Fly. a San Francisco newspaper woman.
in which Characterization but one mu-
steal number fell to her lot, Nesting In
a New York Tree" in which she made
up in winsomeness OF manner and frol-
icksome dancing what she lacked In
voice.
Louis Haines, as Timothy MCGEE. an
American horse owner in London for the
Derby, made night hideous" in a solo
number and dance, for which he was
totally incompetent vocally and physi-
cally. The feat left him breathless and
wheeling. and the audience convulsed
with laughter.
As the Unknown" A II. Van Buren,
had but few vocal duties. which left him
free from a good comedy characterize
ton.
A. H. Busby. as captain OF the ship
gave several vocal numbers acceptably,
and other members OF the company wereI
seen in minor roles. assisted by a chorus
sent down from New York by Mr.. Poll
for the occasion. ,
Little Johnny Jones'" as presented byl
George NJ. Cohan, was a tremendous
success, but 1t places a company OF dra-
matte stock at a great disadvantage.
J. Z. MANI.