The Washington herald., 1918-02-25
Sunday Theater
Openings
NationaI-'The Land of JOy.'

Wine. women. and song; light,
color and melody; mirth, beauty and
youth-everything necessary for
the delight of the senses, are offer
ed in abundance in The Land of
Joy" at the National Last nights
audience went simply wild over
this Spanish revue-and with abun-
dant reason. for everything that
enters into the makeup of the en-
tertainment bears a refreshing
stamp of novelty-the Spanish mu-
sic is fascinating and melodious,
the young woman dancers have a
beauty and cleverness of their own.
the costumes are barbaric in color
ing. and the scenery is artistic and
distinctly different.
Conspicuous as a part of it all are
the charming Spanish senoritas
who make their American debut in
The Land of Joy" singing and
dancing Quinito Valverdes exquis-
ite melodies as IL they had gone
straight to their dainty little heads.
Ma ria Marco is coloratura So
prano of note who sings lovely
songs, including the sprightly
Spring song" and the pensive
"Pensamiento Enamorado." 1t is
difficult to pick favorites among
the dozen principal lady solo dane
ers. Senoras Mazantinita, Amparo
Saus, Doloretes, Violeta, Anita Juan,
Luisita Puchol. and the sisters
Mari-Juli, all display their delight
full personalities and dance with a
cleverness and Vivacity of spirits
that is most appealing.
Julius Tannen is the Interpreter
on this novel dancing tour through
Spain, which takes us to Valencia,
Granada, the Court CT Lions in the
Alhambra, Madrid, and the arena
of bullfght. in all of which the
ever-present castanets. the thrum-
ming guitar and the tambourine
beat out rhythms for swaying
bodies and clicking heels. Mr..
Tannen was most amusing as Nav
russ Perlmutter, the American, ex-
planning In his inimitable way the
clever pantomtme Of the singers
and dancers.
Antonio Bilbao was really re-
markable In a Table Dance" and
Senorita Puchol pleased in "Ay Que
Rico" as did Violeta in the "Bati-
burrillo," but not a bit more than
Amparo Saus in several numbers.
The chorus costumes formed a
beautiful picture-flying patterns
of rose and blue, red and yellow,
green and white, forming and re-
forming like waves on the beach,
tossing one color to the crest and
then another. The bazaars and
shops of old Spain apparently were
robbed of their choicest fabrics and
gayest tints to supply every whim-
sical wish, and several of the set
tings by Spanish painters are in
teresting splashes of color.
In the midst of all the color and
activity of the dancers, one is apt
TO forget the music. It is worth lis
tenlng to, however, containing in
Vulnerable alluringly rhythmic
measures quite as clever as any
thing our popular composers have
contributed to our amusement. AL
together, The Land of Joy" is one
OF the most delightful entertain
ments of the season. One is sur
prised that these Spanish artists
nave not visited US earlier.
Gayety-ssome show,
Barney Gerard introduces something
entirely new to the followers of bur-
lesque with his talented company.
Some Show" which opened to two
packed houses at the Gayety Theater
yesterday. In presenting Edmond
Hfyes as the top line fun-naker. Ger
arp places before his audience one OF
the highest salaried comedians in the
burlesque world.
Hayes. as Spike Hennessy.' needs
no Introduction to burlesque play