The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-15
Mitzi the Life
of the Party in
Lady Billy Play
Little Coincidence Irresistible
in Musical Play Less Dis
tinguished Than She.

Just how diverting a coincidence may
be was shown last night at the Liberty
by the young person who insists upon
being abruptly called 'Mitzr' without
the slightest kind OF handle TO her
name when she appeared in Lady
Billy Miss or Mile. or FTaulein Mitzi.
who used TO be more specifically de-
noted by her family name OF Iajos,
would be called a low comedian were
il not for her sex. Yet the word Is
only used as a contrast TO the de-
scription high" in reference TO the
means an actor employs I'm his art. Often
the low comedian is much more anus
ing than the highest kind conceivable.
When woman can be funny In that
field she deserves TO be highly distin-
sulshed in her profession. This "Mitzp
is certainly that rare stage bird,
funny woman. The riS oo0Iicd is not
freely granted to the distaff side of the
theatre. The genuine low comedian
among the actresses Is seldom met.
In the play which Zeld Sears has
written for her the actress had frequent
opportunities last night TO exhibit her
skill. She was the chatelaine of a pow
erty stricken palace in Hungary. and had
10 dress up like the family ghost TO
amuse tourists. who paid for the oppor-
tunity TO cape at her trailing about at
dusk. She was caught in her crowded
overalls at work in the family garden
end persuaded 10 come TO New York and
try her success as "A boy soprano. once
in this city. life became one continuous
joke. for she moved to Greenwich Village.
OF course there would be no excuse for
dwelling on Mitzi were IL not for the
fact that she was altogether and admit
tedly the life OF the party which Henry
w. Savage arranged. When the hero
inc was missing the evening grew drab.
To have to watch the stage without her
Illuminating presence was a hardship.
But TO see her behind the footlights was
to enjoy the best that the musical the
atre can provide. She is q wonderful
combination, this Hungarian ex-patriot,
who speaks the best New Yorkese now
without an accent. One minute all slap
sticks and mugging. the next softly al
Turing and irritatingly feminine. Then
there are the falsetto notes high in her
throat with which she is able to end
number with O. kind of piquant pathos
that mocks the humor Of the rest of her
song. Also the paprika is there even II
It's flavor was less biting than usual
Take her in breeches or petticoats, she
Is irresistible as coincidence. Pos
slbly ii may be permitted TO register
strong preference In favor OF the divette
skirted.
Mr.. Savage had to come on the stage
after the second act to take his share
Of the applause, which was meant to
cover everybody concerned. Mitzi then
kissed Harold Levy, the composer. He
was thus richly rewarded for the melo-
dious score. altogether in the Niennese
mode. 1t is an urcommonly fresh and
tuneful bit of work But what hard
time the young composers have keeping
away from THE Dollar Princess" The
audience realized that difficulty anew
al the close OF the second act Arthur
Uttry was eXplosively entertaining as n
Spanish lover and Boyd Marshall fur
nished contrast in the part Of the Amer
lean engineer. Both were admirable
Miss Beatrice Constance was an I'M
usually lovely apparitiou OF dusky beau
- that fascinated the eyes. Sydney
Greenstreet supplied quiet but none the
less effective fun as n butler. one or
the graceful dancers wore purple Wig.
But nature was not altogetne. un-
avegcd on art. Some OF the dancers not
only wore no wigs, but also were guilt
lpqe ~ fricOf