The Washington times., 1921-01-23
Not So Long Ago. Delightful
Comedy, Returns to Washington

What is heralded as one of the
most delightful entertainments of the
season, mot So Long Ago" fantasy
of city life in the early 70s, VIII be
presented at the Belaseo Theater for
special return engagement. begin
ming tonight. 1t Is play which ran
all summer in New YORK, after being
given it's premier in Washington last
spring and will be presented here
with the original cast headed by Eva
LIE Gallienne and Sidney Blackmer.
Arthur Richman. a newcomer among
playrights, is the author of Not SO
Long Ago" and he has brought to the
stage a theatrical sweetmeat that will
be decidedly palatable to those who
are weary of jazz and vamps and
nudity.
Miss LIE Gallienne has the role Of
Elsie Dover, the romantic young
daughter of Michael Dover, a strug-
Cling inventor. From their humble
home goes Elsie in the role of seam
stress to a Mrs. Ballard, a newly rich
social climber who has a son, Billy,
and q filmy-brained daughter, Ursula.
Elsie, the seamstress is a devourer
Of sentimental novels. She has the
quaint habit of seeking to find her
book heroes in real life, and she lands
on Billy, the son of her employer. To
her girl friends in the home neigh
borhood she recites wild tales of
romantic journeys with Billy, all of
which excites the jealousy of her
lover, Sam Robinson, garrulous
young dreamer. With this love situa-
tion as a basis all kinds of trouble
break loose for the romantic and
dreamy Elsie.
Social caste and money play impor-
tant parts in trying to wreck Elsie's
love ambitions, but she trIumpns In
the end-the audience would go home
unhappy II she didn't.
mot So Long Ago" has been staged
with fine understanding of the styles
and customs of the period. The first
person to appear on the stage is a
lamp lighter. Then comes Sam Rob
inson on his high wheeled bicycle.
The costuming is accurately that Of
the seventies and the home furnish
ings are equally exact in period.
Supporting Miss lie Gallienne and
MIR. Blackmer are several excellent
players, including Alice Bromley Will
son. George Henry Trader, Thomas
Mitchell, Margaret Mosier, Leatta
Miller, Betty Linley, Louise Tread
| well. Mary Kennedy and b. b. Levin.
Miss lie Galliene is the daughter OF
the famous poet Richard lie CALI
mother was a Danish newspaper wo-
man, and for some time acted as the
Paris correspondent for one Of the
largest Norwegian papers.
Mrs. Gall enne was not only one
of the first newspaper women to
achieve success in Denmark, but she
was a pioneer in syndicating special
articles. She established several IA
| nous fashion columns, syndicating
them through the principal papers in
the capitals of Europe.
Later she established one OF the
most fashionable modistes shops in
, Par s. In view of these facts there
Is no wonder that Eva lie Gallienne
should not only be noted for her wit
and brilliant conversational ability.
but for her costumes.
| Close friendship with the Faver-
shams led Mrs. Le Gallienne and her
daughter to come to this country, and
1t was through them that Miss lie
Gallienne secured her hrst Broadway
engagement.
In addition the famous Bernhardt
is Miss LIE Gall enne's god-mother.
1t was in Paris, not so long ago, tnat
the famous French actress saw little
Miss lie Gallienne on the stage for
the first time. Nine. Bernhardt pre-
dicted a great future for the girl and.
in fact, was so favorably impressed
by her performance that she took
lively interest in her and straight
way decided to make Miss lie GALL
enne her protege. Among the latter's
most treasured possessions n = SOU
venir which the famous tragedlenne
gave her when she left Paris for
London.