Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-28
Columbia.

1.-THE Sunshine Girl had it's first
presentation in this country at the CO.
lumbia Theater last night before one
Of the most notable assemblages
Of the season. gathered under the in
fuence Of a double reason, a desire to
promote the interests of the George
town Hospital. for whose benefit the
| opening performance was given, and the
expectation of unusual entertainment
in the way of song. comedy. dancing
and costuming. Charming young
women distributed programs and
vended flowers. Interest in the open
enthusiasm which greeted THE Star
Spangled Banner when the President
OF the United States appeared Inc
climax of the evenings festivities was
bouquet, which had been sent down to
| the presidential party. to the demure
| little prima donna comedlenne. VINO
was being accorded enthusiastic wei
come as a star.
Another climax was the recitation by
Miss Sanderson of very brief but very
sincere speech Of thanks in response to
an ovation. While the entertainment pre-
serves conventional form and employs
neither prologue nor epiOgue. the Greek
chorus was suggested not only in the
| fraternity lettering on the decorations,
but by the young college men who, at
discreet intervals. interpOlated their gen
ial and lusty salutatiOnS. 1t was one OF
the best rehearsed college yelis ever
heard in Washington theater.
a background of seriousness was al
forded by the presence OF the Napoleon
of the theatrical world. Mr.. Charles IRON
mana Napoleon it should be mentioned,
who has never met Waterloo. He con-
templated the production with the Ser1-
BUSINESS OF man who is permitting MN
self unaccuStomed relaxation. Mr. Froh-
then as an incident to his activities in
more substantial lines of theatrical pres
entation. 1t may be assumed that his
critical eye detected more that might be
of benefit. either in the way of addition
or elimination, than the casual reviewer
could be expected to observe.
The scene on the stage was one OF
constant and vivacious change. Costumes
were on lavish display. 1t looked like a
magnificent millinery establishment with
Fashion in mood of reckless holiday
celebration. At first glance the garment
ingS were conventional, but the second
and some subsequent glances revealed
audacities rivaling the effects employed
in creations Of the extravaganza or
revue" type. The dialogue and verses,
at first staid in spirit. drifted into some
rather abrupt departures from the stand
ards of ethereal delicacy: departures
which the audience entirely too well
bred to observe. Miss Sanderson cooed
daintily and danced with irresistible
grace. the persOnitication of summer skies
and blossoming landscapes.
1t is a pity that a heroic determination
to Introduce plot into the entertainment
should have required the Sunshine" in
the title to stand for soap instead of
"SanderSon." A very remarkable young
man who combines genuine comedy tai
ents with extra ordinary facilities as a
dancer appeared to advantage. He is Mr..
Vernon Castle The note of novelty lie in
PRODUCES into the musical play is refresh
ing. His dancing with Irene Castle was
wonderful performance. Joe Cawthorne
has opportunities to display all the tricks
as an entertainer that he has acquired in
"a lengthy and active career His song,
You Can't Play Every Instrument" was
the comic hit of the evening. Topical al
lusionS dealing with the recent election
were introduced with frank reliance on
goOd-natured forbearance on the part of
any members of the audience who might
have been personally concerned in the
subjects under discussion. Tom Lewis
displayed his personal drolleries and Eva
Davenport was largely humorous. The
array Of singing, dancing and comedy tai
ent is remarkable: SO overwhelming, in
deed. that it causes the fact that some
where in the enterprise there is a book
and music by Mr.. Raleigh and Mr.. Ru
bens to figure as a minor circumstance.
THE Sunshine Girl is in every respect
production de luxe