The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-28

NEW SHOW PLEASES BIG
AUDIENCES AT LYRIC

Novelty and comedy combine to
make the new. show that ~ane to the
Lyric yesterday one Of the best vaude-
VILE entertainments offered In O long
Novelty is exemplified 10 a high de-
gree in Gautner's Toy Shop, which Ia
far and away the most delightful pro-
duction OF its kind ever brought here.
The massive stage setting represents
the interior of a toy shop. The en-
tertainnent Is supplied by a ring
master, an equestrian, a comedian.
four highly trained Shetland ponies
and three clown dogs, The entry OF
an inebriated customer La the signal
Tor all the tnostoaIess rocking herses
and animals or wheels to spring into
living subjects. The ponies and dogs
play all sorts OF amusing pranks at the
expense OF the "souse." The exhinf-
ton closes with circus ring perform
ance In which the agility. skill ano
dexterfty OF all the men and beasts In
plotted. The act was big hit with
each Of the audiences that filled the
theater. afternoon and evening.
Hager and Goodwin scored laugh
ing hit with their songs and piano
playing, the principal feature of the
act being Hagers travesty of the mid
way ap;eler, accompanied by the rend-
ering of as, Down At the
County FAIR
The Arco Bros. all around ath-
letes won many rounds OF applause
with series OF dangerous and diffi-
cult acrobat'c feats and some very
UoI wy
presenting the farc!al sketch, "All
Wrong" kept the crowds laughing,
and Harry Wardell. blackface CO.
median and singer. contributed an ad-
ditional fifteen minutes OF merriment
The new motion pictures are, as
usual. interesting and entertaining.
John Drew Tonight.
There are 50 few actors of the old
school left on the stage today that
the appearance OF one OF them be-
comes a matter of more than ordinary
interest. In looking over the lists at
the present time, one is compelled
to admit that Of all the actors claim
doubt the most representative Ameri-
can on the stage. Here La an actor
who won his spurs In the best organi-
cation that this country has ever
known--that managed by Augustin
DAILY Mr.. Drew's art has been ad-
mired In England as well as In this
country, and his line Of roles has
covered everything from shakespear-
can comedy TO farce. In his pres
ent comedy. 1.-THE Chief" which the
actor is to make known at the Acad-
envy tonight, he Is credited with
showing his skill and cleverness at its
best. The play itself is deserving Of
more than ordinary attention, for II
comes from an author-Horace An
nesley vacheIl-who has been the
cynosure of all eyes In the pIaygoing
worlds Of England and America. 4
year ago Mr.. vachell was unknown
to theraetgoers. Book lovers remem-
bered him as writer Of entertain
ing fiction, but he was unknown in
the theater. Since then he has had
no less than four plays successfully
produced, which Is a record that any
author might point to with pride. The
pldy with which he has supplied Mr..
Drew has been applauded In New
York, Boston and Philadelphia. and
not without reason. for II
is said to be bright, witty and enter
tanning. with a little thrill at its An
ish to round II out. The role given
Mr.. Drew 10 that of a middle-aged
man of the world. and II 10 said to
At him. AS usual Mr..
Drew will be found surrounded by a
strong company There will also be
matinee and night performances to-
morrow.