Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-16
Antics of Cut-Ups
Annoy Lyric Cro,od
Near-Wts Mar Excellent Bill
With Scnsclcss Action at
Might Show.

| There is n peculiar form of idiocy
which manfests itself. chiefly in the
sprinEtime. upon the duller variety OF
he strect-corner princes charming and
impels them to give vent to strange
antics when they visit the theaters
such as facetiously applaudins the en-
trance OF the stage hands when they
come upon the stage between acts 10
change the set or breaking into the
dull monotony OF n musical number
with fair imitation OF cackl:ng hen.
or making feeble attempts to attract
the attention OF the audience away
from the actors by repeating time
worn bromides in loud tone OF voice
or making up" in an uncou,h manner
to tho ladies' in the cast
The second performance OF the Lyric
last night was married appreciably by
the demonstrations OF youths afflicted
! thus. The worst part OF 1t was that
they seated themselves. as always. in
larger numbers than usual in the or
chestra and in the front boxes and so
nearly succeeded in their attempt to
make the whole performa nee ridicu-
lous. never realizing. in their superb
self-conceit. that they were all the
while the objects OF the half-contempt-
nous laughter of the spectators They
were inspired to great efforts by those
who laughed most heartily at their
OF amusement in anything. howsoever
rough and course. The large major
Try who had really come to hear vau-
deville. and not antics OF village cut
ups. were disguised. but held their
peace and waited for the storm to
calm.
But the calm failed to come about.
In fact. the cackles increased in num-
Der rs the show went on. ofttimes OBJ
the performance. An usher attempted
TO quiet one OF the crazed ones SO that
the Wilton Sisters might be heard He
succeeded after three efforts: but, by
that time. the bill was well-nigh COM
pletcd. Shortly after il began again.
and Kclso and leighton played in the
midst OF tumult the like OF which
has seldom been heard in any theater
in Richmond
The skit rendered by the Wilton
Sisters. as much Of il as could be heard
from distance greater than four row.
away. was the best or it's kind heard
In this city for many weeks Both are
remarkably talented: one has q voice
which. under skilled tutorage. should
develop into soprano OF rcmar kable
quality; the other is skilled violin'st
ana very accomplished little actress
tier distinctive way OF intcrrupting he7
rag time" selections with trills ava
diminucndoes brought n loud and ling
erin2 applause from the front part ..
tn" house. in particular.
The cci. billed as Earnest Evans sud
GIFTS suffered Chiefly from the clown
ish demonstrations. Miss Ora Deane
me danSeuSc. was graceful and prettv
especially SO IN her bluchrd dance. II
is miracle. however. lust how sba
managed to keep dancing in front O,
inc numerous loud-Spoken comments
ihc higher notes OF Miss Paddock. VII,
possesses voice Of rare charm were
oltImcS scarcely distinruishahi,
Misses H"hlc and Rife. who accom-.
! panied admirably on the violin ana 49,,
piano OF course, suffered likewise
BERT toward and Elsa Graf vbo
presented II skit. termed The Juepler.e
/ i,r"an' and Stanley and Birncs t..n
clcVcF Soft-shoc dancers. presented tho
on! TWO acts which did not suner fror
.ne would be humorists. simply be.
.ause theF were more or less "silen,,.
,nat is they had no speaking parts
hc!so and Leighton, with an asso,t
meht OF rariegated nonsense. anneaj.d
strongly to the assembled wits mi
'ic"' perhaps greater amount ~
men cacklinE than did all OF the o,her
! acts combined.
IL is pity that such bill sbor,d
Suner from such an audience: thai 49,
c.ehcE OF the management in hook
'ns Huch collection Of acts shon,1 -.
SoF 'hiess by the incfIiciency ~
nt "SherS in failing to check ne.r
no. on the part OF small pcrcAnta..
OF the patrons ehtaS