New-York tribune., 1914-03-31

Mrs. Chalmers rs.....................Al Alice Gordon
Mr.. Chalmers Charles Burrows
Theodore Ouench X .Tera NcAnliffe
Hon. Percy Fitzthistle. ..... Lawrance D'Orsay
Max Hoggenheimer r............... sam Bernard
Winnie Marlborough ............. .Gaby Deslys
Joseph ...''.....'.....'.... ..GTafton Williams
Pepper .......'............N Norman !. Blume
Miss Slender ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Grace Orr
Every once in a summer some of the
gentlemen, who write learnedly and eX-
haustively on the drama for the maga-
zines, dash off articles on "Why Mu-
sical Comedies Succeed" The general
opinion Of these experts seems to be that
factor called unity Of idea" is the
secret Of success They may be quite
right. Of course, but one would have en-
joyed watching search for unity in
The Belle Of Bond Street." presented
last night at the Shubert, and here is a
hodgepodge of color dance and tlnkly
tunes most certainly headed for a sue
cessful run
There really isn't trace Of unity i'm the
whole three acts. Everything is scattered
from Sam Bernard's conversation down
to the filmy costume on the most diminu-
tive chorus girl Gaby Deslys clad in
airy creations that baine descript tion,
scatters her slight store Of English while
Harry PilceT scatters his legs about the
stage in ecstauc gyrations. Even the
composition Of the production was some
what divided, judging from the array Of
writer's responsible, and the costumes
well the versatile Melville Ellis has never
so successfully scattered his talent for
design. They are most amazing.
D,i Of
years ago. "The Girl from Kays" Things
have been dOne-many things-to Mr..
Bernard s early success since its first pro-
duction, but we still see the rich Mr. Hog
eenheimer cavorting about i'm thunderous
clothes. and entertaining every lady with
+ in reach. There is something, too, about
bride and bridegroom who become es-
tranged because of slight tiff on their
wedding DAY. They do most Of the near
serious" songs You know the sort They
hardly affect the action Of the show, eX-
cept that Forrest Huff and Fritzie Won
Busng are the pair and sing their songs
rather plessingly.
/ II is the girl from Kay's. otherwise
T Gaby. who is important. She gives, be
sides her songs and dances. most unique
limitations Sometimes she appears as a
lone tree on plain, at others as ferris
wheel at a gay resort And then again
before YOU can say "sufficiency,' she will
dash out with the rich Mr. Hoggenheimer,
disguised as a leopard-with spots. II is
all very wonderful and makes one feel
for the eighty or ninety wardrobe assist
ants. who will be stretched senseless with
H. Co.,
Harry Pilcer dances Perhaps he sings
too but it is his dancing that sticks in
the mind Not for Mr.. Pilcer the gentle
and persuasive rhythm of the dip and
the glide As done in the best circles. lie
goes in for nothing If not for cataclysmic
leaps and bounds and wild hings OF the
leg. When he dances with Gaby IT Is like
a pitched battle and the more fierce the
tussle the louder the applause.
Lottie Collins plays a gentler role
that OF sweet Ellen, the lady's maid
but. try as she will. she cannot avoid
being drawn into some rollcking dance
numbers Mr. Lawrance D'Orsay, strange
TO say, is singularly remiss in this his
latest appearance. for he doesn'' dance
At ell. one misses his elephan,ine
galumphs He does "cut up though
"Yaas,' all In his usual manner
Among the many attractive numbers
perhaps the most popular Will be the
cleverly devised "Prunella" ensemble I'm
the second act. This at any rate. is the
song the orchestra plays between the
acts and that is a sure sign OF popular
it's. One may prefer. however. tho one In
the same act called The Tango Dip" I'm
this number strange and enhancing
bathing costumes figure largely. or large
ly figure. and 10 some stoadfast sitters on
the front row this. too. is a sure sign.
Mr. Bernard does yeOman work in man
ufacturing comedy for the performance.
and. ~ may be expected succeeds in Civ
ing some highly amusing Celebrations on
his stock Of stunts. Ills "Rip Van
Wipkle" song vas particularly well re-
p ccivcd and nothing copld be funnicr than
his unsuccessful attempts 70 make the de-
mufe' little millincr's assistant laugh al
Z his antics.
The chorus unfortunately iT toe
/ large 10 onumerate ~ printing the cast
and that Is rather pity. fpr u W one ol
the most pleasing and grace efui presented
! this season.