South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-28

canoe. and mere language becomes
inadequate 20 describe the wonders
OF "Chu Chin Chow" Masses Of
rare and exotic coloring. poured to-
gether with the hand OF a master
designer; dazzling beauties in the
marvellous costumes which are
dreamed OF only in the clouded
brain Of an opium eater: weird mel
odies thrilling and running through
II all dances and songs OF a wild
ness which comes only from the
barbaric splendor OF the East. these
are the things which 90 10 make up
the most superb scenic spectacle
that South Bend theatergoers ever
saw here
Eugene Cowles. taking the part
or Abdullah, was one Of the finest
of the leads. His voice. strong and
pure, was constant source OF de-
light 10 the audience. Added 10 that
was the personality and majestic
bearing OF the actor OF ability. who
has won honOrs in some Of the
greatest Of singing and acting roles
that have been done in the Amer
lean theater.
Oscar Asch is the inspired writer
Of the spectacle, and the production
is the work OF those masters OF the
scenic drama Of America. Messrs
ComstOck and Gest. Mysticism and
the dangerous perfumes OF the
Orient play through the music from
tho pen of Frederick Norton. Con-
ceived in mammoth proportions and
built 70 be produced in the largest
and best theaters OF the country
many local people doubted that il
could be put on the oliver stage in
its entirety. But the fact remains
that il was all there. the # scenes.
the Camels-real live oneS,-the
horses and donkeys, the 300 people
and the orchestra, which over
flowed into the body Of the house.
Briefly. the spectacle is a story in
three acts and II scenes, detailing
the adventures of Abu Hasan, mas
nuerading under the name Of Gnu
Chin Chow, and the relentless pur-
suit Of the scourge Of the world, Tor
that is what he is called by the
beautiful and charming Zahrat-al-
Kalub. PLAYED by Marjorie Wood. 1t
was written in the hands Of the des-
ert that Abu Hasan vNuld die by
the hands Of the Desert Woman,
and though the chase was a long
one. the final curtain saw the enemy
Of mankind dead at the feet Of the
woman who was his Nemesis
Abu's many DISCUSSES brought
him into many strange adventures.
The sumptuous feasts of the olden
days OF thousand years ago
brought into play a banquet ROOM
and bevies Of girls in rare and eN-
otic garments descending a purple
staircase which was one or the most
beautiful of the entire play. When
% a n 1
fects can be transformed into
thing Of beauty OF rare enough color
to bring gasps Of establishment from
the audience. and chase shivers or
delight up and down the back, there
must be something mystic in ii.
Chu Chin Chow seemed to have
an uncanny ability 10 pick for him
self the most beautiful women of
the entire east for the dancers and
singers who followed in his train.
At one time he went 10 the slave
market and bought the entire lot or
the slaves paying for them an un-
believeable price from his stores OF
gold hidden in the robbers cave
under the earth. These wild and elm
creatures swan out of the picture and
in again. bearing on their heads
travs Of fruit, they contributed bal
not be improved. So one thought un-
til another scene came along, more
colorful and more full of atmos-
phere than the rest, until the eye
was wearied OF seeing, and the ear
craVed something simple. Then 1t
was that the mastery Of the pro-
Queer and the author was brought
to the fore Lyrical scenes which oc
cupied a small portion Of the center
Of the stage, and never included
more than four characters were
shown. Lfdeed some Of these little
scenes contributed some of the finest
songs and most appealing moments
of the evening. This was true es-
pecially in the second scene, when
Nur-al-Huda, played in manly fash
ion by Roy CroLper, sang his love
song at the window Of his beloved
Marjanah. Elsie Malstead brought
10 the playing Of this last part one
OF the most delightful feminine bits
of acting OF the entire play. and we
can well understand how her lover
might be always faithful, and would
brave any danger to obtain her from
the clutches OF Abu.
Roy Chopper has a lyric tenor
which made him at once the matinee
idol Of the production. Added 70 that
are a face and a form TO go with
il and you have the reasons why his
songs were received with liberal APP
plause, and he was the center Of in
terest OF a good portion Of the
feminine part Of the audience.
Broadway must have experienced
a distinct day Of sadness when this
production left It's sheltering walls
of granite TO come out TO the west.
If there are 90 chorus girls Of a dis
tinct beauty left in New York. we
can all be happy. They can and do
sing, while dancing seems part OF
their very nature. so that at times
the excitement OF the stage was as
- q y.