South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-31
IheQters
MoNTGoNIERY ANp sToNE.

MONittbMER0 md STONE.
one Of the theatrical events or the
present season. and an engagement
that viii compare in importance with
any for several seasons. was that Of
Montgomery and Stone III The Lady
Of the Slipper at the oliver yester-
day. Seldom have two such capacity
houses greeted company in one day
at top notch prices. IL is a record
not often equaled ia any city by any
company on Monday which IS usually
an off day In the show business. The
attendance of 400 Culver students
helped materially 10 swell the matinee
crowd. The boys made a fine appear
ance and helped with their school
yells 90 create enthusiasm.
The Lady Of the slipper as pre-
sentcd by Montgomery and stone and
their capable company is "a gorgeous
show. 1t IS splendid in its coloring
swift and continuous in its movement
and frequently funny. Besides the
two popular comedians mentioned at
the front Of It's many performers
there are bevies OF choristers and
hOcks OF cOryphees. all dressed and
undressed in a dazzling variety of raj
ment. It was never "a dull show 10 the
sophisticated theateFgoer and proved
"A delightful surprise 10 the occasional
attendant. Cinderella's ride To the
palace in a coach drawn by six white
ponies racing at top speed brought
the first act 70 a smashing finish. 1t
was an effect the like of which is not
often seen in smaller cities.
In shaping this very good entertain
ment the authors have told again the
familiar story Of Cinderella. It has a
modern touch and an elasticity which
fits 1t 20 all the admirable things that
Montgomery and Stone can do.
woven some Of his CatchieSt tunes. IL
runs much TO graceful or eccentric
dances and stunning parades.
The fairy queen wishes Montgomery
and Stone out Of their cornfeld. where
one is a pumpkin and the other a
sCarecrOw. just as he was I'm The
Wizard Of on. They come on dane
ing, they dance into and out Of many
adventures. and they are dancing at
the close of the play. They assume
various DISCUSSES. and once they APP
pear in almost natural makeups. In
one act they introduce a travesty on
the old-fashiOned song and dance, the
sort they used themselves when they
first appeared in vaudeville some -
years ago Again they have the dumb
assistance of ali the tricks and traps
OF "Fantasma". Probably the height
OF merriment was reached when Fred
Stone ended one of his amazing ecCen-
TT az udUGtS ttA lttA JlllE from n SOFA 10
chair, and then TO table and
through ar oil painting. His bur
lesque on the modern society dances,
cleverly executed with a mite of a
dancer. Violet Eel, was another bright
moment.
Montgomery played fantastic
comedy character better than any
part he has had for several SEASONS
and scored a decided hit with his big
song number. "Bagdad". In the part
Of the title. formerly played by Elsie
Janis. dainty Helen FalcOner waltZed.
tangoed and acted sweetly natural in a
way that Miss Janis was not missed.
When the stars were not twinkling
there was plenty for the others 10 do.
Once a balletiin spreading tulle skirts,
took the stage and danced under the
leadership Of handsome Marjorie
Bentley Douglas Stevenson. as the
manly prince. had one pleasing ballad
and danced gracefully with Miss Fail
concr. Edna Bates appeared now and
then as the fortune teller. the part for
merry played by Allene Crater (AIrs.
Fred Stone) and lone Bright several
times achieved attractive visibility as
the fairy gOdmOther. David Abra-
ham. one of the best animal actors on
the American stage. did honorable
service as a cat and a dog. There
were many many others.
Most Of the music was the music
OF the dances. but there were songs
both comic and sentimental. Alto
gether Il was a gorgeous and richly
entertaining show. of the big city sort
in every respect and rejecting real
credit upon the management that
made the South Bend engagement pos
sible.