The Washington times., 1916-04-04
Brisk Nonsense, En-. tic
Music, Superb Settings, and
a zlegfeId Chorus.
TUNEFUL SONGS GALORE
Fun-Provokers Are Assisted BY
Specialists In Refreshing
Entertainment.

The "Foliies''-Ziegfeld's, OF course
overlooking with brisk nonsense, music
that joliifies, girls within and without,
and dances. from acrobatic to classic
all gorgeously mounted before some OF
Joseph Urban's magnificentiy colorfui
decorations. opened at the New National
Theater last night.
Two acts Of nineteen scenes. an aug
mented orchestra with trap drummer
who put the "tic" In energetic. and
quantities of pulchritude. are utilized by
Mr.. Ziegfeld In the current "Follies."
and the mixture passed with such aban-
don that none in the immense audience
had the slightest opportunity to do
otherwise than rejoice.
Opening with the under the sea
maids float around like an r street
parade, the "Follies" proceeds for three
happy hours in tuneful songs, much
animation in its brilliantly costumed
groupings, and specialties by specialists.
Leon Enrol and Bert Williams. con-
tinue as the headline fun-provokers,
with Ed Wynn and VIII West as aids
In the assault upon gloom, while w. &.
Fields does real and burlesque Juggling,
The spotlight demands Of the female
portion are monopolized by Anna PEN
nington. Lucille Cavanaugh, Emma
Haig. and May Hennessey. whose dam
cling seemed to be the last movement
in Terpsichore.
Ina Claire, in impersonations and
songs, proved most refreshing; Kay
LAUREL upheld her advance notices as
a beauty. and the Oakland Sisters added
Gus pictures presented by their vivacity.
Setting Of Rare Beauty.
The bulk OF the song numbers assigned
to mere man fell to Charles Purcell. and
he proved eminently equal to every syl-
able allotted him. George White and
Carl Randall n pair OF nimble-pedaled
young men, break speed and altitude
records In their dancing.
The Catskill mountains. an Urban set
ting OF rare beauty, offers the back
ground for the first course inehe easily
digested menu OF nonsense offered by
Enrol, West; and Wynn, the former as
b. Ryan" and Wynn as Nut Sundae."
Bert Williams frat appearance was as
20. Shaw Androcles," in a travestry on
Shaw's satire. West essays the role of
Prof Alsoranville Barker and Phil
Dwyer does a clever bit as the lion.
Wynn then stages a "Commodon Pic
ture," in which Enrol and others Of the
company are the characters on the
screen. Hello Frisco" before mon
ster drop showing the American Cont
nent, follows as one Of the song hits
given by Mr.. Purcell and Miss Claire.
. More nonsense r. staged by Wynn.
Fields, and the Oakland Sisters in scene
nine. showing a midnight cabaret, and
1 the first act concludes with a massive
| tableau entitled America, In which all
| the rulers of the world. including an
excellent likeness OF President Wilson.
are portrayed.
Chorus in White Satin.
Foremost among the song interpola-
lions were those in Radiumland. with
Charles Purcelrs song, My Radium
Girl" before a massive black drop. set
| on by the chorus in shining white satin
"Yama Yama" suits, and Purcelrs sons
of the year with twelve chorus maids
gowned for each month.
Bert williams Murder" song, and
his old favorite, Never Let the Same
Bee Sting You Twice." added to the
general merriment, and Anna Penning-
toms dance. The Birth of Chicken
| and her Irritation medley dance with
| George White proved novelties expertly
| done.
The high spots In the concluding act
are scene three. devised to enable Bert
Williams to dispense some of his in
imiata5e humor as a hall boy. and
Leon Enrol to give his ever welcome
jag skit in the hallway OF the Bum
KEN Court Apartment; a gorgeous stage
setting showing ''Elysium," wherein
oriental dancing Is performed by the
| lively trio, Carl Randall and the Misses
Cavanaugh and Haig. with a burlesque
finale Is Ziegfeld's danse de follies. with
Miss Cavanaugh. Miss Claire. Miss
LAUREL. Carl Randall. and Charles Pur-
cell, and the comedy chorus in the fore