The Washington times., 1915-04-29
BELASCO.

forty-two centimeter type of mu-
sical comedy scattered fragments OF all
the modern ideas of entertainments OF
this sort with few original laugh
producing situations and memory-hunt-
ing melodies of It's own. over an au-
dience that filled the Belasco Theater
last evening when Joseph Santley was
presented as a star in "All over Town
There was also a aforementioned sepa-
rately and distinctly because 1t Isn't
usual for plots to be found in such COM
pany. The reason for this is that SAINT
lev furnished the story himself-bor-
| rowing the late Mr.. Goethe's idea-whilc
Harry B. Smith wrote the lyrics and
Silvio Helm prepared the music.
The definite story OF "All Over
Town is one Of the things that is most
surprising about 1t. The audience is not
permitted to forget there is such a thing
for a moment. because most of the
| dialogue and some OF the songs revert
to it in a most direct way. And when
some of the special numbers seem about
to run away with the interest. Walter
Jones Is hurried onto the stage and In
husky tones. audible at least as far
back as row G. recalls the story.
II there were no other features OF
one new idea would entitle II to the
|. kindest sort OF consideration. But there
were other features. Though 1t con,
tanned a digest of most of the musical
things. 1t presented these ideas In
way that was distinctly pleasing. and
! In some respects novel. The iiiustra,
tive choral diagrams that were served
with a number of the songs, In accord
ance with the accepted custom of
showing where the author and composer
had buried the meanings thereof. were
presented In a manner that was ek-
tremely entertaining and the entire Sc
ries of settings were good to look upon.
The story tells OF a ricn young man
named Reginald Faust, who always
sleeps at the opera and who fell quick
ly into deep slumber while occupying
box at the Metropolitan on an even
when Faust" was being produced: lie
dreams he is ali old man and is visited
by the head of the temptation depart
ment Of modern Mephistophelian es-
tablishment who agrees to restore him
his youth and permit him to win his
Marguerite II Faust will assist the de-
partmcnt chief to get rid of his own
wife. In the working out Of this idea
the hero and the principal characters
Town"-just like the title states.
During the course of their Journeys
from one point to another. they en-
counter all sorts OF people and adren-
special features that give a revue tinge
to the piece. Notable among these Were
the modern duel song and dance which
provided finale for the first act and
duced numerous Broncho Billies and
Charlie Chaplins into the action. Tie
dance features were especially notable.
particularly the opera ballet chorus In
the first scene.
"All over Town" will take some cut
ting and trimming. but the chances are
that 1t has just the lightness and air
mess that Is needed for the kind OF en-
fraz:le that jingles. but seldom jangles.
There are several highly original ideas
and one Of the most varied and elabo-
rate costume displays that has been
seen In Washington outside Of the
"Follies''
Joseph santey. as the youthful hero.
surprised even his friends with a bit
OF real character acting ability he dis
played for few minutes as an old
man. His dancing was of the kind
which makes 1t apparent why latter Gay
musical comedies Invariably contains
parts that recall Santley to the mind
whenever they are seen. Walter Jones,
as the henpecked representative OF
the plot and had several amusing
scenes. Roy Atwell, who Is featured
with Jones in the program in support
OF the star. was provided with the part
also a scientific detective and was en-
tirely pleasing.
Marie Flynn. remembered for her work
in Lady Luxury" labored under the
difficulty OF having been called into the
production Sunday evening last to play
Marguerite, but she gave an excellent
account of herself. Lillian Lee. as the
masterful wife. and Blanche Deyo as a
disappointed prtma donna. provided a
length and breadth OF comedy. respec-
lively. that was thoroughly enjoyable
most of the time.
The dancing of Ruth Randall. Rea-
trice Allen. Dorothy Young. Johnny
Boyle, Richard Tabor and the special
chorus people was especially effective
and the violin numbers introduced for
Saranoff displayed that artists mastery
Of his instrument and fitted well into
the scenes presented. AS production,
"All Over Town" Is a fantasy. a revue.
a melange; but 1t ranks well as an
entertainment no matter what the par
ticular fancy OF the entertainee might
demand. GARDNER MACK.