Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-13
IBSEN REVIVAL is THE WEEKS DRAMATIC NOVELTY
GERTRUDE HOFFMAN, Isl
WELCOMED AT KETH'S|
ALI Grant With Topics of Ma
tional Interest Is Big Hit
at the Broadway

Spring Is almost here, but Gertrude HON.
mann beat II by more than a week. With
an aggregation Of nymphs, who are
nymphier than all their predecessors Miss
Hoffman, Is the center Of attraction at
keiths. Her unique offering might be
called Everywhere" IL opens In the woods
aud ends at the seashore, but between these
places there is little Of Egypt, Paris and
other miscellaneous spots
The entire creation Is art with a capital
A. IL you view IL you must bear this in
mind To have things true to life without
unnecessary fripperies las always been
Miss Hoffmann's aim. The last time she
visited us the Hoffman, girls danced
merely in bare feet and bare legs, but now
--- well. IL you see them you must re-
member that they really cayort that way
I'm Egypt.
The revue has been staged with lavish
hand 1t is a succession OF scenic surprises.
Undoubtedly the best Of the stage picture
was roof garden overlooking a city at
night. off in the distance lights twinked in
hundreds of homes and sly-scraping apart
ments.
The garden for the Spring Song and the
Egyptian atmosphere is also worthy of men-
ton Costumes = when they were were
gorgeous in the extreme More than .
| score of beautiful girls whrl through the
| eight scenes with the star, who sets the pace
at all times. She also jumps into the or
| chestra and plays the drum, sleigh bells,
chimes, tambourine and other traps" like a
| veteran. All of which goes to prove that IL
| IT came to a showdown Miss Hoffman,
| could act as her own orchestra
| The limitations which brought the star
her early fame were thrown in for good
| measure.
Some incidents in the revue might be
| dispensed with, but there are so many good
| things that little defects are quickly lost
| IN the shuttle, OF course, there's dash
| of Hawaii and an abundance of patriotism.
| which is introduced consistently in the
Song of the Nations" At the finale Of
| this q mammoth American silk flag curtains
| the stage and acts as background for
| the singers. The act was given a hearty
| greeting.
Another novelty in the dancing line was
presented by Nina Payne She gave a
| number of character studies with special
scenery and costumes for each. Her best
number was futurist creation with a
wobbiy-looking street and lopsded house
as background
Like Miss Hoffman,. Miss Payne seems
to put her whole heart in her work. She
/ scored a decided hit.
From the standpoint Of real applause
Jim and Betty Morgan Cleaned up" the
show There's reason, Their songs are
exclusive and original There's not an old
idea in one of the fifteen minutes that they
are on the stage
Moon and Morris did some very excellent
dancing and sang a character song which
was n vaudeville cassic-but they inter
rupted it, unfortunately with useless talk
Much applause.
Arthur Stuart Hill and Lillian Durkin
offered what vaudeville calls a singing act
de luXe.-Well received.
Rockwell and Wood cavorted in new
brand of nut stuff, which included every
thing from domestic squabbes to the cost
of the Panama Canal. They made the audi.
. ence laugh at 10 oclock.-Good of its kind
Ruby Raymond, who has been seen hers
with various other partners, this time ap
pears with Charles oConnor in a singing
! and dancing act which offers opportunities
for both Alexander Brothers bounces
balls art!stically. Mrs. Vernon Castle wa
! seen pictorally in "Patria." j. g c.