The Washington herald., 1915-04-25

the whole audience broke into a At of
laughter at his Quickness on the trigger.
At this point the audience seemed to
wake up to the fact that the intent OF
the play was to stir up partisan feeling.
Shortly after it also discovered that the
piece was not an impressively serious at
tempt to deal with an important public
question, but that it was, in fact, q
loosely constructed melodrama without
merit for serious consideration. From
that moment the fate of the play was
sealed. Its most serious moments were
greeted with merriment. Every time the
three conspirators appeared-and they al
ways appeared and disappeared simulta-
neously-there was a burst of laughter.
This happened regularly, in spite of the
fact that one Of them was supposed to
represent the prominent editor Of New
York German daily newspaper. whose
utterances are reputed to stir up pro-
German feeling in America.
And SO this momentous play went on.
II 1t had been more skillful in construc-
ton, and better acted in dealing Sc
riously with a question of considerable
present Importance in this country, II
might have made a deeper impression
on the big and representative audience
that sat through It; but It would not
have been one-half so amusing. Even
the authors friends were moved by the
semi-hysterical wave Of laughing amuse-
ment that swept over the whole gather
ing. When the final curtain came down
every one left the theater in a merry
mood, and THE Hyphen' had failed to
rouse any partisan spirit whatever. The
play had turned out to be a Joke instead
Of creator Of discussion or a provoker
Of war feeling in the audience
pressmakinE Enterprise.
After numerous postponements No
body's Home has finally been produced
at the Princess. The delays in the pro-
duction Of this very sketchy musical
piece. judging by the final result. must
have been due to dressmaking difficulties
rather than to anything in the acting.
musical or scenic accessories. 1t Is ru-
mored that a certain Fifth avenue estab-
lishment which is making a strong bid
for fashionable patronage was vitality
interested in .'Nobody's Home and the
circumstances Of the first production
seem to warrant that assumption.
After the first act there was a formal
parade in the aisles and Hobbies Of young
women models, or mankind" as they
are called IN Paris, dressed in the houses
latest creations in evening and street
gowns. one Of the costumes being the
very latest thing in the form Of a check
ed riding habit. This was a novelty in
the way Of theatrical entertainment and
gives US new ideas Of how the drama
may be utilized to develop trade. There
seems to be no valid reason why butch
ers. bakers and candlestick makers
should not also be allowed to display
their wares in tho dull intervals between
curtains at any Of the leading theaters.
At the beginning OF the second act there
was also pronounced emphasis of the
dressmaking element Of the production.
or course in q girl-and-music show things
are done without logical rhyme or reason,
but in this case the young women of the
chorus-well chosen as to looks and SYM
on q veritable display of
costumes. The program announced that
these were all from the establishment re-
ferred to and apparently they were all de-
signed with a view to showing what the
house had on sale to meet the require
ments Of the present spring season. Ger
tainly every woman in the audience knew
where to find any one of the numerous
styles displayed which might catch her
fancy. The dressmaking concern may not
have contributed any cash capital toward
the production Of 'Nobody's Home" but
The supply of = WINS on and of the stage
was certainly a liberal contribution and
supplies an advertising precedent which
should be Of mutual value to producing
managers and enterprising dressmakers
The program acknowledgements of credit
% various interests helpful to the produc-
ion were even more conspicuous than
usual This one in particular seems to
possess a special distinction in this line
If theatrical literature: The Gentlemen
In 'Nobody's Home are wearing r. B.
Fashion Clothes. Tailored at Fashion
Park. Rochester. n. Y"
"Nobody's Home.o
The piece itself is the fiimsiest sort Of a
show, although done with
of the polite atmosphere that
outs English pieces of this kind on a |
more refined plane than the usual Ameri-
an enterprise in tho same line It hasn't |
ven the semblance Of a plot, and depends |
or its continuity on a loosely threaded |
uccession Of farcical scenes. Mr.. Law
ence Grossmith. lately imported from
london. a brother of George, jr, and |
ephew of Weldon. of the Grossmith ilk, |
) the saving grace Of these. He possesses |
he family lack Of facial beauty, and also |
he family trait Of being able to amuse in |
thoroughly self-possessed but polite |
way. Adele Rowland. Alice Dewey, and
faude Odell are the principal female
nembers Of the cast. In addition are the
Inevitable dancing couple without which
o entertainment today is complete, and
he aforementioned aggregation Of
Dung women who display the model
owns. There are some clever numbers,
n occasional laugh BILE line. 50 that
Nobody's Home" IS fair entertainment Of
L..