The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1920-01-12
Misunderstanding Up.p


Two years ago last month Co
ing Up" had its first showing on
any stage here in Washington and
won prompt recognition as a musi-
cal piece of exceptionally exhilarat-
ing quality and brisk originality.
Now 1t comes back to the National
Theater wearing the proud feather
OF "a solid year in New York" and
greeting a public to whom the
lifting swing of the song called
Going Up" and the fascination of
Tickle Toe" have become familiar
delights.
One of the unusual features of
the opening two seasons ago was
the finished character of the initial
performance, in which principals,
chorus, and stage direction all
seemed to have had the benefit of
thorough energizing under some
skiilful and enthusiastic hand. APP
parently- all that Going Up" has
had to do since Is keep on going.
Music, action and stage business
nave been altered but slightly in
the two years interval The
play retains all it's snappiness and
interest. though the turnover" of
the cast has been complete.
Going Up" tells story that is
not only genuinely humorous but
awe with actual suspense and ex-
citement. 1t is about the author of
popular story of aviation whose
iriends lead him on to pretend to
the guests or summer hotel that
the flights of his fancy were actual
experiences, and who Is lionized 20
such a degree that the hotel pro-
prletor waSers a large amount on
MS success in a race with a real
French airman. He might have
squirmed out of the scrape IL the
girl he loves hadn't thoroughly be-
lieved In his flying prowess, so that
she stakes the promise of her hand
to the Frenchman on her other low
er's success. With the aid of a lit
tie secret instruction he makes the
hight and wins the day and the girl.
Raymond Crane, as the author
aviator. whose conflict of emotions
provides most of the fun. is as ade-
quatc a successor to Frank Craven
as could be expected. Miss Norma
Brown is a charming heroine and a
delightful dancer. Miss Loretta
Marks is equally pleasing in the
feminine role of second importance.
Edward Begley. as the ponderous
mechanician. adds much to the eff
fectiveness of the novel instruction
scene of the second act. Jack Pat
ton, Roy Purviarce and Mario VIII
lani deal competcntly with other
important parts.
The real working airplane Of the
final act performs as cleverly as ever
and the screen illusion showing it in
flight has lost none of it's thrill. The
exhilaration of fight is the theme that
inspires the entire production. includ-
ing Otto Harbach's book and lyrics
as well as the vigorous music of
which Louis Hirsch is the composer.
POlis-AI JOlsOn, In "Sinbad..
Al Jolson. with his Winter Garden
production, "Sinbad," openrd a re-
turn engagement last night before an
audience that filled every inch of
standing room at Polls and was DEM
onstrdtive to the point of enthusiasm.
There is no denying Jolson's hold on
Capital thelterSoers. Artists of the
concert stage nave their following
and the opera SINGERS their devotees.
but for the lovers of syncopat'o on and
the talking machine records there il
apparently no one in sight to chal-
lenge Jolson for popularity honors.
Sinbad is much the same colorful
spectacle with its groups of fair
femininity as whea II Sied the spring
booking but the sUr has a number
OF new songs that serve to bring in
all tie original style and quaint man.
Eerisms that have made him the
vogue on Broadway.
Nanny Chile" is the best OF his
new numbers, reminiscent of the old
favorite. "Rock-a-bye Your Baby"
Others that found favor were by the
Honeysuckle Vine" Il Gave Her
That" and "Swanee" The ever-pop-
ular III Say She Does" Is the only
old number retained.
Between the songs JGlsOn gave his
familiar monologue in which he in
serted some laughable localisms. anenI
the dry spell his luck with the horses
and experiences in the hotel Hobbies.
A clever company furnish capable
support both vocally and otherwise.
Kitty Doner shines as a male imper-
senator. Lawrence D'Orsay inserts
some subtle British comedy; the Far
Der Sisters offer some character
songs, and others in the more promi-
nent roles are Leon Moran. Virginia
Smith. Franklin A Patio, Helen Ely.
Forrest Hun, Jack Kenyon. Ma-BelIe.
Frank Grace and Johnny Berkes. A
large chorus Handsomely gowned, ad-
ded to the enjoyment OF the ensem-
BILE numbers.
From the opening night reception
the return engagement of "Sinbad"
will be of n kind to make the box
Office happy.