Evening star., 1915-02-16
Relasco.

Plot enough to enable it, if necessary.
to stand on its merits as comedy
without the musical embellishments;
lines that have plenty Of snap and
sufficient seasoning of real humor;
songs and choruses that won repeated
encores; men that look the part in
stead of resembling overmillinered
willy boys" girls who have good
looks, voices and the knack of using
both without in any degree verging on
the immodest-these are some of the
ingredients that go to make Lady
Luxury" at the Belasco this week,
kind of musical comedy everybody can
enjoy without acquiring bad taste in
the mouth. The book, by Rida John
son Young, is good enough to stand
alone. and the music that Wiiliam m
Schroeder has written for it enlivens
Il lmost every other minute of the two
iacts.
The story has to do with the mis-
chances that befall Eloise Van Cuyler-
Miss Florence Webber-When, on her
twentyfirst birthday, she comes into
the fortune held i'll trust by her old
school uncle Edward. Reared in an
atmosphere of almost nunlike simplic-
ity, the heiress decides to "cut loose
and does it with vengeance. Uncle
Edwards efforts to win her back to the
abetted by Sam Warren-Forrest HUFF
-rancher from Texas, and the COM
plications which ensue when Uncle Ed
ward leaves a startling note and dis
appears into a secret chamber over the
great fireplace i'll the drawing room,
make the story.
Uncle Edward, played by ]. w. Her
bert. and Sam Warren furnish most OF
the comedy. The tragic, as far as 1t
goes, is about equally divided between
Eloise, Nine. Mischkowa, Russian dan.
Ger and owner of half a million dollars
worth of jewels; Count Plnlasell-
whom Uncle Edward persists IN cal
ing that Peanut kelly"-and Maude
Ora per-Cowles, imported Engiish chap-
eron, who smokes cigarettes IKE
fend and criicises Uncle Edwards >
taste in Scotch.
dancer, and in the second act does a
erpsichorean number as well as a real
Russian dancer. The count. PLAYED ey
Arthur Albrio: Miss Draper-CoWles' py
Miss Emil Fitzroy. compose another
version of the eternal triangle, the ef,
forts of the count and Manoe 70 Hlo
opportunity for a little lovemakins on on
thwarted by the mother, desirous OF
better things for her daughter than an
impecunious Italian nobiefnan, ana aiso
with an eye on the commission that is
the heireSS.
To tell more of the story would be
unfair 1t is sufficient to say IT IS a
real story, unhackneyed and presented
in a fresh and vivacious manner. Also
that there is not poor voice IN the
cast Mr.. Huff's baritone being q gen
uine treat. while the soprano OF MISS
Weber shows a feXibility and range
that should be equal to the require
ments of grand opera roles. The en-
semble numbers, of which there were
none too many. and the accompanying
dancing are done with a verve and APP
pearance of actual enjoyment on the
part of the chorus that is refreshing.
1t is not often an idea which is not
threadbare, effects that are fresh and
pleasing. real humor, music that is ac-
tually musical and principals and Choir
us that seem to be having as much fun
as they are supposed to have. are com
bined in an evenings entertainment;
but that is the combination Frederic
Mckay is offering at the Belasco this
week.