The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-10-09
BELASCO.

Three hours Of bright. snappy enter
tainment with no mental strain. just q
rollicking evening Of fun was served
for the audience at the Belasco last
night, an audience that filled the theater
from gallery to orchestra.
With a series OF, gorgeous spectacles,
girls Of ever description stunningly
gowned, several fun-makers par excel
lence. swaying music, and artistic and
novel dancing this latest OF Winter Gar
den extravaganza. SHOW Of wonders
lived up to its name. The consensus OF
opinion seemed to be that the much
maligned press agent had not strained
his Imagination in his fervid announce
mentS OF what to expect
There is not the suggestion Of plot
to occupy the mind and to interfere with
the enjoyment Of the fifteen scenes that
follow each other in bewildering array.
However, there are a number OF good
reasonS why the audience last night
seemed to approve of the Wonder show
rather more heartily than Of its prede-
ceSsors. Chief among these were Mari
lynn Miller, Eugene and Willie Howard,
George Monroe and White and Clayton
One comment overheard was the
freedom from the touch Of vulgarity
that has marked some OF the extrav-
aganzas of former years. though
those wont to gasp had several op-
portunities. The costumes were as
daring as OF old, but q circular run
way around the orchestra Fit replaced
the ones from the balcony, and the
girlies came down the aisles instead.
One OF the hits. both literally and
hguratiyely, was the Get a Grille"
number, when scores of rubber balls
g-N h. rafnad
back with more or less accuracy at
the peaches" on the stage. Another
number in which the audience took
part en- masse was Love Is q Bub-
ble," when balloons hoated all over
the house were batted about and ex-
ploded at frequent intervals long
after the number was over.
Marilynn Miller was the piece de
resistance floating OF and on the
stage. very much in evidence all dur
ing the performance. This dainty bit
OF blond loveliness dances beauti-
fully, has q really good voice. and has
the charm of girlish abandon that
won her audience completely.
Willie and Eugene Howard not only
repeated their ''hit" OF former sea-
sons, but went even further, this
clever pair of entertainers being ION
stage" much OF the time. White and
Clayton, CARRIED as Pullman porters.
contributed an eccentric dance that
was delightfully."- novel, and George
Monroe, now appearing as "Pansy."
was just as amusing as ever with his
broad comedy and his unctuous BE
that as 1t may"
With its whirlwind of spectacles.
song numbers and specialties the per-
Torrance provides three hours of
fun and the one serious touch Is given
in the really wonderful spectacle
Submarine FIT"
The curtain rises on a stage set
ting that is said to faithfully repro
duce the interior of a submarine.
Through the periscope the audience
has a vivid picture of the approach
OF the enemy fleet and of a dread
naught torpedoed, on IRE and sink
ing. Then of the submarine, hit,
going to the bottom, and Of its rescue
by divers.
All in all, the Show of Wonders"
pleased the audience last night i'm
mensely and most of those who saw
IL laughed, romped, applauded and &C.
gasped-then went home in
a contented frame of mind. 4