New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-11-21
Still HAS TROUBLE
wiz HER EYES
Anna Held Appears in Follow Me-
at Parsons-Play Only Fair

"Follow Me- in which Anna Held.
for the last two years OF Paris and
| the battlefields of Europe, is starring,
appeared at Parsons theater. Hart
ford last evening with large and
orllllant company and gorgeously
equipped chorus. For nearly three
hours and a half the action of the
piece dragged through to it's final
i conclusion in manner that was de-
| cidedly mediocre even taking into
consideration the fact that it was a
nrst night The play will need much
! rewriting and the introduction of
| more catchy music before it will live
in New York
AS TAR as Miss Held is concerned
she is the same Anna Held of II
Wonder What's Re Matter Wiz My
Eyes" fame. Her gowns are stunning,
particularly the one used in the LA
Parlslenne Peacock Girl' song though
most or this particular gown is added
to the back in the form of a pea
cocks tail. Her songs-well, every
seasoned playgoer knows Miss Held
of old. Suffice it to say that they are
just what might be expected. IT Want
to Be Good But My Eyes Won't Let
Me- being a fair sample.
Harry Tighe, Florence Moore, Edith
Day, and Henry Lewis, all struggle
in a commendable manner to get the
most out of lines and action that are
THEORETICALLY threadbare With a
first class cast to present to playgoers
lines have been handed out that could
not gain a laugh despite their mas
terly handling Naturally there are
few exceptions to this but they are
few and far between.
An agreeable addition to the cast,
probably at the last moment as her
name did not appear on the program,
was the diminutive and captivating
Sylvia Mason whose work, judging by
the attitude of the audience, was the
most favorably received of the even !
ing Appearing in the first act with |
Harry Tighe an extremely catchy |
piece of music and a pleasing dance
speciality was. presented by the little
ady. 1.-The Girls Are Getting Wiser
every Day." was the burden of the
'efrain and the dance with Tighe, who
appeared to be able to slip his partner
nto his pocket should it be necessary,
vas provocative of much laughter.
Henry Lewis entertained his audience
yery we'll for several minutes with a
Little Bit of Nonsense" comprising
songs, verse and monologue, all of
Which proved most acceptable.
olo ballet by Mary Eaton, opening the
second act and burlesque upon it
nm ediately following, were two spe-
ialties that should not be overlooked.
The music as a whole was not Of
he catchy description so popular
With the stage of today. Rather it
vas an attempt at light opera with
tut the beauty of music necessary to
'ecommend a piece of this descrip
ion. The one true piece of syncopa-
ion (Miss Nason's song) proved by !
is reception that this style is still the
'uling favorite with audiences. !
The chorus presented an array of |
feminine pulchritude in gowns, and !
not, that was indicative of the eye of |
a master. Seldom has a better col |
lection of "girlies' appeared upon any |
stage. Their costumes were. at all |
times, appropriate, colorful and pass /
ingly beautiful. The stage settings |
were also the best and most pleasing |
that money and taste could procure. |
From a spectacular standpoint there |
was nothing left to be desired.
The plot of the piece, though it |
matters little, was perhaps a mite |
more connected than in the usual |
musical comedies. It conferred around |
the infatuation of a married man
Hector with a footlight favorite, !
Claire La Tour (Miss Heidi the de- |
spair of his wife Getty Yorke) and |
the intervention of the American mil !
lionaire, Worth Muchmore (Harry !
rTighe) The other characters were !
m erely incidental.
With the exception of Miss Mason, |
whose name did not appear upon the |
program, the following parts were as +
signed:
Louis, page boy 49,. Wilmer Bentley !
Worth Muchmore, American mil I
lionaire ........... Harry Tlghe !
Laura, Marquise de Lunay ......
............ Lefty YOrlle |
Malvina Bliss. an American heiress,
ambitious to be loved for her
self alone ....... Florence Moore |
Denise, fortune teller at a charity
bazaar Ed1th DAY |
Hector, Marquis de Lunay ......
.............. VIM. P. Carlton |
Fresco, a waiter from Maxime's -.
EXTRAORDINARY. 2. Paul Porgasi |
JeWeler ............ George Egan |
DR. Jolivet ......... Robert Capron |
Alphonse, call boy Wilmer Bentley !
1eteS Anna Held ,
Ninon. attendant at the bazaar 49,.
............... Gladys Sykes !
Babette, attendant at the bazaar -. ,
Ethel Sykes