Evening star., 1917-03-20

the final descent of the curtain. Both
the eye and the ear are kept busy
especially the eye-although the music
for the most part is Of the popular
type.
A prologue termed '''The Birth Of Ella
tion," and scene 'In the Park Of Phan-
tasy' has Puck, in the person of Emma
Haig. introduce. in succession. 1.-The Fol-
lies Girl of each year. beginning with
1907. and concluding with the latest adj
dition to the galaxy. the attractive young
person of 1916 When they are assembled
there Is spirited controversy: between
han, fmpersonated. respectively, by Nor
man Blume and Carr Randall, as to the
merits of the two as entertainers Of the
public. The scene shifts to THE Street
Marc Antony and julius Caesar. those
roles being filled by Bernard Granville
and Don Barclay. Next. there is the
forum. in Rome. with ragtime in the air.
Hathaway have a scene all to themselves,
in connection. with which the king, who
is Sam B. Hardy, introduces 1.-THE Six
Little Wives of the King Miss Allyn
King is the Ann Hathaway OF the skit.
Then there is a travesty of Romeo and
Juliet" with a setting worthy Of a serious
presentation. Ina Clair. native Washing
tonion, appears as Juliet.
Little Ann Pennington makes an un-
usual entrance, being shown approaching
in a moving picture. and. in person.
bursting through the screen at the ap-
propriate moment. She presents dane
ing number in keeping with her ability.
Bert Williams. the colored comedian.
makes his first appearance OF the even-
ing as Othello, in a travesty OF %Othello, 2"
the scene being ''the bedroom of Mr.. and
Mrs. Otheilo's apartment" In another
beautiful stage setting. "On the Banks Of
the Nile" Puck introduces the ladies
from Shakespeare's plays. and also An
thony and Cleopatra. with appropriate
musical numbers. There is a recruiting
scene. in which William Fields and
Messrs. Hardy. Barclay and Williams
have the opportunity to shine. A Won
derful scenic illusion, entitled Modern
Naval Warfare" Is next presented. show
ing battleship, with Zeppelins. aero
sinks. and a moment later the submarine
emerges from a most realistic appearing
sea.
Will Rogers. the cowboy comedian.
an expert in 1asso manipulation. who
is liable to talk about anything or any
body" does so. His discourse is al
most exclusively on local topics, rang
ing from prohibition in the District to
change of inaugural date. He made one
of the distinct hits of the evening. The
first act ended with a Hawaiian scene.
featured by Anna Pennington as a
Hula Hula dancer; Ina Claire as a Ha-
waiian lady, and Mr.. Granville as a
Yankee tourist.
ne opening scene Ol ACT IWo Is cI-
titled ''The Anteroom of the Harem."
introducing the "Blushing Ballet"
Notwithstanding at least one person in
the audience last evening remarked
There amt no such animal" Miss
Haig and Mr.. Randall present preten-
tious dance. and a travesty of Scheher-
azade is given, In connection with
which Fanny Brice makes her initial
bow to the audience.
In act two Miss Brice, Bert Williams
and Miss Claire are afforded opportu-
nifty to introduce their well known spe-
cialties, the last giving limitations Of
Jane Cowl Geraldine Farrar and Billy
Burke. Messrs. Fields and Hardy in
dulge in a croquet game. which affords
the former an opportunity to display
his talents as juggler. In addition.
there are scenes showing traffic on 9th
avenue, New York. and The Island of
Girls" The final number is entitled the
"Ziegfeld Danse de Follies." in which
the entire company sings I'm Florida
Among the Palms"
Each setting is a scenic marvel, many
novelties being introduced. one. dance
entitled "Somnambulistic Melody being
on a darkened stage with each move
ment of the feet of the dancers produc-
ing electric sparks.
To sum up, the "Follies of 1916" is
"the best ever"