The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-01-24
AT THE
THEATERS
~MARY's ANKLE TONIGHT


theatrical production makes or un-
makes It. IL pretty generally accepted.
Extended runs at Broadway theaters
means that the amusement public Of
tho metropolis has set its approval
and a success may safely be claimed.
''Mary's Ankle" which comes to the
Academy tonight and Saturday and
Saturday matinee. Is credited with
having drawn capacity houses during
the four months stay at the new and
beautiful Bijou theater, with like
reception in other important cities on
tour. IT Ia said that 1t in n gay and
unusually appealing eomedy-ap-
preaching the farcical in it's construc-
ton. yet Offering a delightfully."- charm
ing love story. There are many most
iudi crous situations and a generous
abundance OF laughs, but with the
author ever mindful OF a determine
ton to cause each funny scene: every
laugh. to result alone from the unfold
ing OF the tale and not from some
grotesuuc or totally Irrelevant inter
polation so prevalent in present-day
comedy production. 1t is claimed for
the story that the interest is main
tanned until the finai curtain, while
series OF suspicious circumstances
which promise most embarrassing
complications are only then explained
away In a most unique and surpris-
Ing manner. and to the entire xatis-
faction of the expectant audience.
That the comedy shall be presented
to the best possible advantage. a com
- l., al ~
been engaged and includes VIM. IL.
Lyten. Joyce Fair. James Billings,
Hal Cwynn. Thomas F.. Myers. Arrie
Rodman. Lillian Shaffner, Ollie
Cameron. Harry Howard and others,
who have been identified with the
more important of recent comedy
productions.
~CHIN CHIN"
Chin Chin" at the Academy Mon
day night, is modern version of the
famous old Arabian Nights tale of
aladdin. or the Wonderful Lamp"
The authors have taken all kinds OF
liberties with the original story, but
upon its foundation they have built
an up-to- date EXTRAVAGANZA with be-
wilderingly amusing adjuncts.
willis and Binder in this fantasy
have become a couple OF Cinnamon.
who have more or less thrilling ad
ventures in the pursuit Of the Lamp
which brought to It's possessor all
manner of happiness.
Both of the comedians have studied
closely the rnannerisms and 'ficsyn-
crasies OF Chinese personality. and
one OF them at least has a more than
casual acquaintance with the Chinese
language.
walter wills once had a Chinese
servant from whom he picked ur
great deal OF useful knowledge. Wills
was very fond of fruit of which he
was in the habit OF eating quantity
every evening One day he happened
70 say to his servant that he was not
feeling very we'll Tho Chinaman
grumbled and then said. you eat
too much fiuit--makes belly ache"
willis took the tip and cut down on
his fruit allowance.
MUSICAL SOLDIIIRErTEs.
my Soldier Girl" boasting the
double prestige of being the most
recent stage. offering OF military
flavor. and the arst. OF durable enough
qualities. since the days OF the late
Charlie Hoyt's famous "a Milk White
Flag"--to survive New York city's
critical judgements and captivate that
metropolis for many successful
months. will reach the Academy Tues
dav night
The ready acceptance and conse-
ouent unusually large attendance rec
ords OF this new stage novelty, best
described. a topical ''pot-pourri' OF
mirth, music ana graceful animation.
spectacularly mounted in semi-war-
time atmospheric BACKGROUND. was.
and In due far more to It's intimate
hrecziness OF action. cheerful spirit OF
its characters and to the endlessly
changing ensembles ceaselessly filling
the stage with b. autiful girls, than
to any semblance OF plot the story
might contain.
These vital essentials TO its estab-
,ishcd popularity are naturally strict
~ adhered to. on this tour and the
large company measuring we'll above
the standards OF their individual and
plentiful responsibilities, assures, that
local devotees OF this style OF restfnl
entertainment may well anticipate
such a treat a. Is sorely needed In
thee upset times, In the announce,
ment Of this dalightful ''soldierette"
aAqnO - \