New-York tribune., 1921-01-02
Nlitzi Rejoices in Her
knickerbockers, but
Hopes TO Outgrow Them

Mitzi would not wear pants if She
wrote uusical comedy books for her
self Fut so far, she has found plenty
to do in charming the American theatcr
public and has not attempted to Use
her energies on situations, laugh lines
and denouements. Being dutiful act
ress, therefore, when the vagaries Of
the story demand that she strut
around the stage in her engaging man
ner in pair of pants, she does So
Golden haired Mitzi was making up
N her dressing room at the Liberty
Ineatcr for an evening performance Of
Lady Bily."s She had ten minutes
before curtain time and much to say.
I'VE women can speak very fast
when we have TO- She said smiliAgly.
proceeding to do so. i can't expect
an author TO shape his story to fl the
KIND of clothes ] Ike to wear If the
anything II the success of the play
depended on it. ] don't know why my
wearing pants has caused so much
talk. To hear it, one would think
had never appeared in dress. You
know, this is only the second time in
America that | have worn pants Once
before in Pom Pom put them on
Billy"
Mitzi considers "Lady Billy" the best
vehicle she has yet had better even
than "Sari," which had been regarded
as her best. The score, she thinks.
gives her excellent opportunities to
display her voice, and the fresh story
gives many acting opportunities. lady
Billy is the fourth musical comedy
character she has created here.
And there has been 70 suggestion
OF SAM IS in any OF my parts" viva
clous Mitzi said. ''In 'Sar' | was 4
peasant girl. in Pom Pom an actress.
m Head over Heels an acrobat, and
now | am a duchess. So you see am
versatile"
The real musical comedy, the musi-
cal comedy with an interesting, well
stained story with music, finds
s,fons advocate in Mitzi. The revue,
she believes. is rapidly losing what
ever popularity it possessed.
he trouble Is with the manager.
Ihey saw that the revue caught on and
they gave the American public revues
until it naturally began to grow tired
OF them. Any one grows tired Of
thlng when ne gets too much OF it.
con t think the revue is what is want
ed III the theater now, but rather the
musical comedy with a plot. | am a
firm believer in the plot. Give me the
plot III musical comedy all the time
II ever she gets the opportunity,
Mltzl Is going to try light comedy
work with perhaps one or two interpe]
.ated songs. Mitzi wants less speed and
more leisure in her work on the stage
and She believes Light comedy work will
give il to her.
I'D like time in which to change ny
mood without having to act at break
neck speed
The petite musical comedy star has
natural bent for comedy Many of
her funniest situations, in Lady
Billy and in her other successes, were
developed by her at rehearsals And
they were developed quite by accident.
too. Take her very amusing bit Of
pantomime with Batesou in the second
act of Lady BUY" She is talking to
several characterS when Bateson, her
rotund secretary, makes his entrance
unooserved and com>s very close 10
her. Accidentally, she thrusts her el'
bow backward. meetisc Batcson's
ample stomach. She stops. surprised.
Sac bends down and thrusts her elbow
out again and meets nothing Then.
with smile of recognition. without
turning around. she say:
Hello, Bateson"
And the audience Is overioyed.
Il discovered that bit entirely by
accident she confessed They can't
possibly be thought up at rehearssls,
II you don't stumble upon them, you
have to do without them"