Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-03-24
AT WASHINGTON THEATRES: R z, 5
"The Lure" at the Belascol-Ltye Show
At The Gayety..i i. go.

- = b
"The Lure" the last word in the
exploitation on the stage Of the nasti-
ness of the Underworld, presented at
the Belasco this week, presents the
various elements in the compound OF
the social evil ar5 all their repulsive
nakedness. Compared with it such
paays as "The Easiest Way" are
pinks of propriety. 1t leaves abso-
lutely nothing to the imagination
which fact perhaps constitutes the
only apology that can be advanced
against rs severe condemnation of
such productions as the English Ian
euage is capable of supplying. 1t
deals with hrothels, prostitutes, pimps,
procurers, debauchery anti v:leness. 1t
teaches no moral; it breaches no SER
mon for the purity Of the family sucn
as is preached in Damaged Goods. ="
In brief, it is unutterably coarse,
vicious and nauseating. If anything
can furnish an argument in favor of
the appointment of censor OF stage
productions it is play like this one.
The social evil has existed as long as
the human race; it is not at all prob
able thit it will ever be cocmpleteiy
eradicated; the most that can be hop
ed for is that it may be srinimized to
the last possible degree; certainly it
ought to be kept within such bounds
as human nature, properly regulate
will admit Of. There is absolutely no
excuse for psrading it on the stage
before the eyes of pure women.
The story which George 'Scarbor-
ough envelops in this exhibition, and
which is made to serve as an excuse
for it is that of young girl who has
been DISCHARGED from her employment
in a store. Her mothers life can only
be saved by an expensive operation.
While in the store the madame OF
q house OF ill-fame, who cloaks her
vile business under the guise Of IN
employment agency, has given the girl
her carl. The girl goes to the agency
in the hope Of getting employment
She tells the "faGam" that she needs
500 to save her mothers life. The
woman points QUITO her how she can
easy cam that araGt;nt q 7n:'neS II
her down town establishment. She ha7
an encounter with thG Cadet" and,
with another white slave, is rescued
lust in the nick Of time by a young
I7etective
The company which presented this
play at the Belasco last night is maGe
up Of excellent material.
New Sehman Show.
Few burlesque shows come to the
Gayety during season that have q
shade on the new Benman Show, which
opened its weeks engagement at the
popular Ninth street theatrer yester-
day. Lew Kelly, who has never been
seen to laugh on the stage, and who
keeps his audience in q constant up
rcsr Of laughter is the main attrac-
t;on When it comes to being funny
he is about as funny as they come.
Sandwiched in between the fun there
is plenty of catchy music and clever
dancing to keep every one in good
huror. The show is different from
most burlesque offerings in that the
chorus is given very little to do, and
the principals hol;' the footlights the
greater part of the time. 1t is show
of, specialities and every one OF them
worthy of mention. The second act
which is concluded with screaming
war time burlesque entitled "Shen-
,ndoah." is a vaudeville performance
in itself. Gertrude Lynch as Eva
Tangray; Laura Hayden as Maude
Adams: Vic Casmore and George
Douglas as Montgomery and Stone
were all excellent. The real hit OF
the show was Martelle, woman i'm
personator.
The entire production is elaborateiy
staged and costume.i. The chorus i;
| large and sprightly and did the littit
it was called upon to do in pleasing
way. Manager Peck is to be con-
CIRCULATED upon inauguratins "ladie;
wAeh, with such an offering. There |:
nothing about the bill that the mos
| scrupulous person could find objection
ab1e 1t affords two hours OF clean
| ,,.h,,oeon,ey amusement.