The Topeka state journal., 1913-04-19
CLOSED SEASON
Raymond Hitchcock Last Of.
fering at the Grand.
And 1t Was Good Show and
Good House at the End.

The Topeka dramatic season, which
has been short but excellent closeu
last night with Raymond Hitchcock in
the RED Widow at the Grand. Mr..
Hitchcock has reached the stage where
he can rest on his reputation as wen
as his efforts; still, as the Red widow
herself expressed it, he is a very
dron man" The play has more snap
and dash than any musical comedy
that has been presented in Topeka TINS
year. The only shows that can ap-
nroach II are Kitty Gordon in Ihe
Enchantress," and possibly Vera Al
len in the Countess Coquette- Inc
house was packed; most OF the CITY
social circle occupied boxes or orches-
fra chairs. So enthusiastic was the
applause that Mr.. Hitchcock considered
IL incumbent upon him to make cur
tain speech after the second act ne
thanked the house in a some"nd
rambling manner for theH W~oIuel ~ iue f
demonstration of their appreciation OF
his efforts. One doesn't expect snaIlS
of wit in a curtain speech Mr.. Hltcn-
cock touched upon the presidency; l.
r.: the defeat of the Kaws; and chick
ems. The speech. unlike the play lack
ed point
edy, but it has a plot-a rippingly gooo
one. young Nihilist, Anna Vavara' ,
called the Red Widow" from her /
choice of costumes. crosses the Rus
sian border disguised as the wife Oh
Cicero Hannibal Butts, corset manu-
facturer from Yonkers, N Y. 1nose !
who have been in Yonkers appreciate
the joke. Butts is an inoffenslVe olu
fellow but finds himself involved III
all sorts of anarchy much TO ms
chagrin He is chosen to slay the
czar with bomb. Bombs IN laGt, ~,
pass around like peppermints. The
widow revels in them. It's only at
the last minute that the dastardly plot
is foiIed-ahai-by the arrival OF Butts
bona fide better half, and the WIDOW
discovery of her love for Captain BASH
RomanOff, of the Imperial bouy duaio |
We like titles.
The first act, which is cleverly ana
elaborately staged, represents the roy
er of the Alcazar Music hall IN Lon
don. Red is the dominant note until
the widow enters with purple aigrette
and a purple fan. The effect is start
ling rather than hideous. Flora "a
belle who has the role, is excellent
ly cast She signifies her wish for a
handsome man, and Hitchcock appears
on the balcony. He is persuaded to
smuggIe her over the border on his
passport. They are accompanied by
Mr. Butts son, oswald, and his fiancee,
Yvette a dancer. Yvette enters with
a chorus chanting, Never mind sing
ing lust dance my dear And Yvette
can dance: her claims to distinction
are based solely on the height of her
kicks; they are most aspiring. Os-
waId does some Donald Brian steps in
a creditable way.
The second act is a handsome apart
ment in the Hotel de IEurope, St
Petersburg. Enter the president of
group of nihilists, disguised as wait
er, and wearing whiskers like mud
guards" He bears the muffin-lke
name of PopOva, and introduces the
bombs. The third scene shows the
gardens of the cars winter palace
during the progress of the annual
White Fete" The costumes and
scenic effects are really quite splendid
The prettiest musical number in the
piece is the duet of Anna and Basil,
Il Love You, Dear" The other song
hit was Butts melancholy ''I Shall
Never Look at a Pretty Girl Again"
Raymond Hitchcock will always be p
given the glad hand in Topeka. He n
ast appeared here several years ago a
IN THE Man Who Owns Broadway" @,
Hitchcock has a humOr all his own, ia
md is droll simply because he is OF
He's funny and Iikable b;
rom his feet to what he most aptly il
.alls his Intoxicated hair" in
The Grand will be opened only once m
more this season when Reinald War di
baritone, closes the Park is
hurst concert series on May s. T.
A. L. H. hi