Omaha daily bee., 1920-01-23
[AT THE THEATERS

Better ole" is a revelatio to those
who haven't seen it, and to those
who have a second visit to the play,
which has thrilled thousands in the
great cities of America and England,
is adding pleasure to fond memo
ries. 1t opened an engagement at
the Brandeis last night.
The action is fast and furious,
with several laughs a Mnute, now
and then a few of which are sand
wiched in between more serious sit
uations, but always with a good
chuckle at the end. 1t is safe pre-
diction that "The Better ole" will
still be amusing the English-speak-
ing peoples of the world when pres
ent veterans of the world war are
telling stories to their grandchildren.
This time De Wolf Hopper brings
to Omaha the Characterization of
"Old Bill" good-natured soldier of
the British armies, who just to look
at makes one burst into laughter,
and the next minute want to cheer.
MIR. Hopper responded to a curtain
call last night.
The role fits him to 1T" and he
gets the last ounce out of every sit
uation. Mr.. Hopper has amused the
American people fer many, many
years, and he's at his best in "The
Better Ole
An excellent supporting cast
shares honors with the star. There's 5
Harry McNaughton as Bert" and
Victor Dyer as '"Alf," "Old Bills"
pals, who do their share to keep the
audience in an uproar. To name all
the good actors in this fine play
would be to write out the names of
the members of the cast.
There are plenty of pretty girls in
"The Better 'Ole" and they all know
how to sing and dance. The musi-
cal numbers are catchy. Some of
the best arc 1--WE Wish We Were In
Blighty," "When You Look in the
Heart of a Rose" Venus de Milo"
and "Je sais Que Vous Etes Cen
TIL"
The stage settings, scenery and
electrical effects are surprise and
very true to life. J.
"The Better 'Ole" will be at the
Brandeis tor the rest OF the week,
with a matinee Saturday.
Local Stage Notes.
Singularly enough, it has fallen
out that the play selected to close
the career Of Boyd's theater is
May Time" drama of such quail
ty as is peculiarly appropriate, when
it is recalled that another play of
genuine heart-interest, Alabama"
was the first seen at the house when
it was opened. Messrs. Shubert are
sending the company here for the
entire week, beginning on Sunday
eveing, with Caroline Thompson
still singing the role in which she
made such an impression here before
and which she has played a year on
Broadway since. William Norris is
also in the cast, and nearly all the
others who presented the piece in
New York.
Coming to America from Russia
by way Of Japan. Mile. Nitta-Jo is
one of the readline attractions this
week at the Orpheum. She is a
French character singer who was
born in Paris. During the early per-
iod of the war she was playing in
Roumania, from whence she went
to Russia. The reign of terror
forced her to escape. She saw up
risings and massacres, aud finally |
made her way through Siberia to
Japan, and after playing there for
a time, set sail for the United STATES. |
Novelty is the Keynote of the !
noted Fanchon-Marco revue, Lets |
Co." which is announced for a
weeks engagement at the, Brandeis |
starting Sunday. As dancers and
creators or novelties, Fanchon and
Marco easily hold the palm on the |
stage today, and in Let's Go" they1
are seen at their cleverest. |
The Butterflies of Broadway"
will flutter in a most satisfactory |
manner at the Gayety this afternoon
and evening. Tomorrow matinee two
'avorites come for a weeks visit,
Harry Coup" Welsh and George F.
Hayes. with Barney Gerard's Fol
les of the Day." in which pretty
Evelyn Cunningham will also be
seen. Ladies matinee at 2:l5. 4
A very delightful and entertaining
musical comedy is bud and Buddie
Iirls," which headlines the new
how at the Empress. Budd, him
elf, of Ham and Budd Motion pic
ures, is the comedian and his antics
ire laugh provoking. An act OF
merit is the musical Of
ering of Pierce and Golf, attractive
'oung women, who play variety
# instrupents, including piano, cor
let. drum and xvloDhone.