The sun., 1918-11-26
ZIEGFELD PRESENTS
ENGLISH SPY PLAY
''By Pigeon Post" War Drama,
Is Given With Birds in
Cast at COhan Theatre.
SCENES FROM LORRAINE
Debut Of Manager as Producer
Of Serious Pieces Shows
Him in q New Role.

Mr.. Ziegfeld OF the Foilies made his
appearance last night as a producer"
OF q serious play at the Conan Thea
tire. A London drama OF the war called
BY Pigeon Post was the medium
that inspired him to enter another
field than that In which he has long
been unique. Maybe the title Of this
spy drama by Austin Page Intrigued"
Mr.. Ziesfeld. as some OF our Allies
would say.
In tho past his artistic interests
have been aroused by pathological
suggestions, II not always by pigeons.
It would probably be found by careful
Investigation. that to squads and more
frequently to chickens. had the in
spiration to his most notable achieve
ments in the art Of the American the
atre been attributable. But there Is
ample evidence OF this sensitiveness TO
be observed now in New York. While
some OF the wonders of the Follies are
now to be seen only in those cities
which to the great delight of the pop
ulation. are on the itinerary OF the or
ganization, some OF the most choice
specimens in Mr.. Ziegfeld's aviary, are
said still to roost nights under the
caves OF the New Amsterdam Theatre.
The Pigeons OF verdun.
Be that as 1t may. 20 quote the
philosoph!c George Monroe. there is
nothing in by Pigeon Post" 30 novel
as the birds. Mr.. Ziegtelds cunning
had not failed him. The pigeons fiut-
tered and hoped about. cooed and
preened their feathers, and like true
artists docilely submitted to have the
messages tied about their legs. A very
charming and unusual accompaniment
they made to the progress OF the play.
They were in a cage at the rear OF n
| library In a chateau skilfuliy painted
in his characteristic style by Joseph
Urban. with n picturesque valley seen
through the windows. The aviary was
bathed in sunlight and covered with
swinging vines. Then one Of the birds
returned to its home from fight. a
bell rang to announce 1t. quite as II
the bird were an important arrival at
hotel
The Work OF the Spies.
This chateau was in Lorraine. ana
in It were quartered French soldiers
and a pair of active German spies.
The play started slowly. but its pace
was soon quite as interesting as that
OF any war play which has come here
from England. Indeed, some OF It's
scenes are agreeably thrilling. The
story Of the young Frenchman strug-
Cling against the Vaccinations of the
spies determined that his pigeons
should be q disgrace to him rather
than a credit. the Red Cross nurse in
| treacherous German masking as a
French Colonel, the ultimate keenness
of the young hero in outwitting his
enemies-all OF these elements made
play that was generally engrossIng
to the spectators. OF course 1t has Its
occasionally battling incidents. but ex-
perienced theatregoers have seen
enough spy plays by this time Just to
overlook this confusion and pass on 10
the next scene. And to all the merits
OF by Pigeon Post" must be added
the pretty background and the sun
lit aviary.
The Actors in the Play.
Mr.. Ziegfeld's skill had stood him in
good stead in another particular. He
had selected decorative men and women
to interpret the characters. AS the
Red Cross nurse who seemed 20 have
all the powers OF n Major-General
Phoebe Foster looked prettler thar
ever before and acted with progresses.
Ing girlish emotion. Peggy ONen was
her sister. chauffeur TO a,General, and
her roguish beauty as well as hel
spirited acting of the comedy scenes
added freshness to the play.
Jerome Patrick was a handsome Il
unfortunate hero and Vincent Ser.
rano a dashing villain, Harrison Hun
tier played well the master German
spy and without his skill and au'
thority the role might not have beer
taken seriously. He was excellent
Ida Waterman and Frank kemble
Cooper represented well the dignity OF
years. Mr.. Ziegfeld made altogether
a most creditable entry into the list OF