Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-12
Lvric-"Hands Up"

Nobody knows and nobody cares why
Il IL called Hands Up" Nobody quite
understands why Il was advertised as
being naughty. and n this IL Paris, give
US Amerioal What everybody who was
at the Lyric last night does knew and
understand Is that Hands Up" is a joy
Gus and glorious occasion II IL the sort
Of midwinter madness which usually
comes 20 Philadelphia at the end OF a
6ull season and evens things up. This
time Il comes at the beginning. and Il
couldn't be better.
Now the reviewers troubles begin he
can skip the music and say that two Of
the sets were In excellent taste. He Gun
compliment the chorus ladies on their
discretion and the chorus girls on a vast
variety OF excellent things. But when il
comes TO principals!
Maurice, with the rather ecclesiasti cnl
title of Mons" before his name and
Florence Walton. Irene Franklin and
Burton Greene are starred, to be sure.
and they deserve 1t. But first dn the or
der OF appearance) comes George Has
SELL a comedian with a gorgeous sense
OF burlesque. Ills take-off OF melodrama.
OF movie acting and of the dramatic
triangle (morals not movies) Is superb.
They are all a little rough but overre-
hnement would spoil them altogether lie
is an enlarged edition OF Teddy Webb. and
the plot and laughter quicken whenever
he appears on tho stage. (The same goes
for the dog)
Irene Franklin and the man who writes
her music fitted I'm beautifully, although
her absence in the presence Of other
principals was noticed. She sang her now
songs and her old favorites-"Redhead"
and II Want TO BE n Janitor's Child
with all her old touch Of wistfulness and
her delicate vulgarity. which is a positive
art with her. The strange voice and the
crooking finger, the mannerisms and the
human touch, brought her almost excess
i've encores
Now as to the dancing there may be
various opinions. The best one is that
Maurice and Walton, splendidly paired,
do wonderful work i'm a wonderful way
The only question Is whether you care
to see social dancing so specialized and
put on the stage All dancing should be
done, or at least should appear to be done,
for the sheer Joy of IL. There and there
only. NJ. Maurice and his imperturbable
partner often fell short. They are both
exquisite and graceful; their sense OF
rhythm is perfect. And in the way OF
singing they both follow willard Sims
idea, that II you have art, you don't need
n voice.
Mr.. Sims himself stands high I'm this
catalogue Of good things In burlesuue
he took Off the chorus lady of earlier
times, little broadly, but very humor-
ously. As the protean detective CFake
| Kennedy he played many parts. all glad
ones. He was assisted by Bobby North
in his astonishing series of "reminiscences
of Al Jolson. For features there were A.
Robins. the eccentric. and Maurice's kids
For singing there were apparently Hazel
Kirke and her stage fiance. Artie Meh-
linger. But as was said before, nothing
need be said of the music, and singing
is sometimes music.
And there you are. There are 27 num-
bers on the program. There are 10 scenes.
And the chorus fills and beauties each
one. Not since the Winter Garden show
has the Lyric been such wild and happy
place