Evening star., 1916-04-04
New National.

Resplendens even in the most minute
details. F. Ziegfeld, jr., has really out
done himself in the Ziegfeld Follies of
1915, which is high. praise, indeed.
Twenty gorgeous stage settings, ten to
each Of the two acts, supply appropriate
environment for the galaxy of stars and
for the Ziegfeld beauty chorus to fas
cinate and entertain. Old favortes and
new are with the company this year, in
cluding Ina Claire, Anna Pennington.
Leon Enrol, Will West, Ed Wynn, Bert
Williams, Charles Purcell, Vivian Oak
Mr.. Ziegfeld long ago established a repu-
tation for corralling the pick OF the
available show girls and chorus girls.
and he seems to have increased his eff
cheney along that line this season. Some
OF the scenic effects are in reality kalei
doscopic spectacles. and at the New Ma
tional Theater last evening a capacity
audience attested its approval by ap-
plause that was almost continuous. To
augment the regular seating equipment
additional chairs. which increased facili-
ties were not sufficient, and many stood
throughout the evening.
The curtain makes its initial rise to
disclose Under the Sea-" a scene OF
mechanical massiveness. unique and
beautiful. The illusion is OF water.
Several beautiful mermaids are swim
ming about. Suddenly strange "fsh'
appears. 1t proves to be a submarine.
Answering query from one OF the rner-
maids, the commander Of the submarine
announces that he Is in search Of all un-
spoiled woman
Can there he grenter folly'" the
mermaid inquiries.
Como with me and l will show you
The Folliea of 1915" replies the com
mahder, and the show Ia on.
This constitutes whatever plot there
may be. and II Ia soon forgotten In the
whlrl of events an earth,
In strong contrast with the shadows Of
Under the Sea" is the second scene.
which is the "Heme of the Sum-" This
affords Vivian Oakland and male chorus
opportunity to present a ragtime number
entitled Held Me In Your Loving Arms" :"
Next the audience is ira ansferred to '"The
Silver Forest, In which George White
and coterie of zebra Girls" give a
travesty on the prevailing fad fer stripes
in costumes for wemen. The scene shifts
to the Catskill mountains, and, of course.
suggests Rip Van Wrinkle Leon Errel
impersonatea Rip, VIII West poses as
William Jennings Bryan and Ed Wynn as
Billy Sunday. the evangelist, twisting the
name, however, to Nut sundae" In the
next scene, in jungle, Bert Williams
makes his first bow to the audience. He
IL supposed to hold the attention of a
young and vigorous African iien while his
from the safety first protection of steel
cage The only thing that Sd YES Williams
In the fact that the lion recognises him
M a benefactor when the king of beasts
was part of u menagerie on Ceney Island,
In this scene also Anna Pennington,
dainty and agile. is the central figure in
n dance entitled THE Birth of II Chicken u
One of the NEST pleasing features is
"Radiumiand," in which Charles Purcell
has the solo part with the entire girl por-
ton of the company. In white, executing a
| sort OF stand-up, sit-down dance on a
coliseum effect in front of background
Of black velvet. distinct novelty is a
visit to the movies entitled "Cemmotion
Picture" The real-and reel-movie
shows members of the company in action
and on the screen, absolutely true to life,
they obey the verbal instructions of Ed
Wynn, given from the auditorium
ACROSS the Contipent," a map eccu-
pying the entire stage. with pretty
| faces showing to indicate the principal
cities of the United States. is the set
| ting for the now famous song hit.
Hello Frisco" which is the vehicle for
| the entrance of Ina Claire, who was Dor
| the entrance of Ina Claire. who was born
and bred a Washingtonian, She Is in
Frisco. while Mr.. Purcell Is at-the New
York end of the wire. Jointly for an
encore they give vocal limitations of
| the cello. violin and banjo. After a
Midnight Cabaret" in which W. c.
Fields. grotesque juggler. is featured.
l act ends with a picturesque cnarade