The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-06-21

what call perfect party" in gay New York.
 Carte Blanche
 Zoe Beckley's middle" name Is Carte Bianche"-for this she has into every nook and crevice of big old Manhattan; there isalt man of in- portance, or woman, about whom she hasn't written q charming story; there isn't subject. from short skirts to spiritualism. that she isn't well informed on; there isn't a moving picture star, nor stage star. nor singer. nor an actor. nor a politician, nor suffragist, nor a saint. nor a sinner. that Zoe Beckley isn't adored by; and why-because she's efficient; when Zoe Beckleys name is signed to a story you can depend upon 1t; she's trained news paper woman with a charming femi- nine style who to be written up'' by is regarded as an honor-and there is none to decline.
 Her boss" Mir. Stoddard, of the Evening Mall, thought 50 well of her talents that he dispatched hkr on an errand that was delightful, recently. She left New York for England to meet Lady Astor on her recent visit, and had the good luck to go over with Margot Asquith. whom she'd written stunning stories about. Coming bnck with Lady Astor and "scooping" the news about the distinguished visitor. she sent her stories by wireless each day from the ship and even "beat" Adolph Ochs of the New York Times Ito it. he being on the same, steamer. but failing to "crab" the news as the clever writer of the New York Eve- ming Mall did
 But to our party.
 A cozy little dinner to begin with at charming little French restaur- ant, one of those tucked away down steep steps. with little flowers grow ing in window boxes, and an air of Bohemia pervading 1t; and such a menu: "Anselmo's" Is the place if you should happen to want to know. Zoe had asked me If I'd seen the ''Chauve Souris"--and the adorable NiIkita Balieff-over whom New York has gone raving stark mad! Of course hadn't; and then she told mo that tho new program was opening on The Century Roof'' and that Mir Norris Gest--of whom I'd written so often and had never seen {; he's David Belasoo's scn-in-law, you know. and has made so many mar vicious productions; The Wanderer." Gnu Chin Chow" and now the ''Chauve Souris." had invited us to be his guests.
 Of. course I was in seventh heaven; had to pinch myself to know if it was really, truly. little old mel"
 Mr. Gest and NJ. Balieff
 Zoe had met NJ. Balieff in Paris 1au ak %n ln- f..I story with him from there for her paper, and so she asked me If I'd like to go back stage and meet him; would l? Oh, well, what's the use telling you how I felt: you just know; be- cause you know me.
 Anyway. as Mir. Gest welcomed us to his box and we settled ourselves for a perfectly stunning evening, I was absolutely bewildered; pre- mierr the crowd; the celebrities; tho setting; the effect; and above all- Nikits Balieff himself---the invinci- ble. the irrepressible; the adora ble! 1!
 Do you know what the Chauve Souris is?
 'The Chsuve Souris is vaudeville. :. the fact that it is just that is what makes it's success so puzzling to the experts of the Rialto.i They all agree that 1t Is vaudeville. So does Mir Webster's dictionary. His second definition says: "yaudevills--a series of short sketches, songs. dances aero batic feats, having no dramatic oDn- nection. a variety show" These re- Quired elements are found in the Chauve Souris. Yes. 1t is vaudeville
 But who ever heard of a vaude- vile show without change of act playing six continuous months on Broadway?, And all in Russian. Not an English word, unless Nikita Baliefrs introduction can be so termed. And, as one American actor said. sFive-do1lar vaudeville, Gawd!"
 Here for the first time vaudeville has been made into . unified artistic production, vaudeville produced on basic ally different plan from what we understand In America as "vaude- ville." At a casual glance one recog- nizes this as the program evolves, showing The Moscow Fiances:" the Wooden Soldiers" the most adorable. thing ever saw; The King Orders the Drums to be Beaten;" The Nightingale" s"rhe Black Hus- sars' and the charming artistic "Ka- tinka?"
 The only difference between the Chauve Souris on the Century Roof in New York and The Bat Theatre" in Moscow where M Balfeff first gave 1t is that ono Is on the roof, thanks to clever Mir. Morris Gest's idea and. the other was in the cellar.
 Of course adored meeting Morris Cost who Is charming and delight ful-and oh so clexer-as well as NJ. Balieff, Zoe and making little visit to him back stage" and he