The New York herald., 1921-11-30
BY LAWRENCE REAMEp.

BELASCO THEATRE - "KIlI." character
study in three acts. adapted by David
Belasco from the original OF Andre Picard.
Evidently David Belasco is not going
to give this worried old world anything
serious to think about. He, for the
present at least, seems content to remain
merchant of smiles. After THE
Grand Duke" at the Lyceum Theatre.
there came to the Belasco last night
'Kiki. This is another example OF
the gaiety of Paris adapted to the needs
of the universe. Mr.. Belasco calls his
English version study of the character
of Xxi. While others may call it a
study of that interesting young woman )
lack of character. they will admit that
1t is interesting. To judge by the echoes
in the Belasco Theatre last night there
are many who will insist that 1t is ire
sistibly amusing. Most of the audience
last night seemed to be of that opinion
They even called out Mr.. Belasco after
the second act to intimate something Of
the same kind to him vociferously
What the programme calls "the va
grant life of XXI" is projected against
three backgrounds. One is the office of
the manager of the Folies Montplaisir
Music Hall and the next is the draw
ing room of the manager. 1t also is in
act passes. From the day she floats out
Of the jetsam of Paris into the man
ayers office until she finds herself al
the end of the play perched on his
knees various important stages in the
life of the young woman have been
passed. She did not long beg to be put
back into the chorus from which her
uncomfortable temper had temporarily
expelled her. The manager. lonely in
the apartment from which his wife and
the prima donna of his company had
been more or less permanently separated
by divorce asked XXI to come along
and be his guest
She did and there was the assurance
of complete propriety in the situa ton.
But when there was threat cf a recon-
ciliation Kiki, who had Improved little
in manners, even IL her temper was as
incorrigible, almost. as ever II was, had
to depart. Yet she wanted TO stop
there. Having a way of her own of
getting what she wanted Kiki did re-
main in the managers apartment even
If 1t took n cataleptic fit--but that is
spelling the fun for some future Visitor
to the Belasco Theatre. There will be
thousands of them. unquestionably, and
they will find this last scene the most
amusing in the play. So why tell the
secret of little KikPs last and most
amusing trick?
Andre Picard, author of half a dozen
comedies that have amused Paris. has
made study in this original heroine OF
a type OF chorus girl. altogether canine.
vulgar mendac,ous and up to every
trick that the struggle for life has com
PEELED her TO learn. She appears to
have good heart toward the man she
loves. She even tells him at the last
minute that size is a good girl. which
seer,s supcrogatory even IL true. There
favo been up 10 this point no sus-
gestionr Of such miraculous possible
ity. This study. which is always anus
inc. apparently quite true to the type
and generally unsparing, is in the terms
of farce. Yet there is a note OF pa.hos
ut times In the longings of the little
girl. rough MS life has made her-as 1t
prchablv found her.
Miss Uric embodied her most enter
tainirg!v. The programme suggested
that Kikis may be found everywhere. so
It was, maybe. not necessary for the act
rcss TO be altogether Partisan. Nor was
she. in spite of the dresses and the strut.
Yet she was always amusing. always