The Washington herald., 1922-04-04
KEITH'S.
Vaudeville.

NOT often may one see classical
dancing and its travesty in the same
evening. But after the 1.-THE har-
monies OF the Marion Morgan
dancers at Keiths this week, one
mas the added pleasure of behold
ing charlie Ahearn disport himself
atter the classic manner, his beau
teous poses being somewhat marred
Dy stray tacks and a misplaced
oneet OF hypaper. It is rank sac
riiege on Mr.. yAhearn's part.
me marion Morgan Dancers have
great moments-moments that are
worth the whole Of the usual show,
But they are not contributed by the
principals. Also, we find II hard 70
forgive the Grass violence that is
practfced upon the ancient legend
OF Helen of Troy in this produce
tion. When we went to school we
were taught that the fair Helen Of
the face that launched a thousand
snips and fired the topless towers
or lpum went with Paris of her
own accord. There was nothing
said about her being lugged aboard
waiting barque like a sack OF
wheat a la the Morgan version.
To our mind II rather spoils the
picture OF the immemorial en-
chantress of Homer. The way to
enjoy the Morgan Helen OF Troy"
Is TO forget the story and concen-
trate upon the wild little bacchantes
and maenads. the 1.-THE, white girls
OF tho bow and arrow dance and
the sylphlike Egyptian who slips
from mummylike swathings into
subtle steps that make one think
OF a frenzied pearl and green SER
pent. Helen appears with all the
postures and Eraces of a not-so
young social climber" Her atti-
tude toward Paris is strongly
reminiscent OF hilarious descrip-
tions Of the curvetting feminine
persons who surrounded the Prince
OF Wales when that unfortunate
young man appeared at a social
event. Paris himself is a long way
from the classic ideal. But all is
forgiven when a quartet of maenads
appear. Words are weak things to
describe the animal grace. the
fervid joy of youth. the imprisoned
laughter in the quick steps of this
dance. With such rival attractions
oiOuhus al 10 SCcllS al awful HSn,
really, to run of with Helen. You
gain the impression that he pre-
fers unfresh buttermilk to Falernian
wine. As for Menelaus girding him
self to regain his wife, It seems
simply preposterous with the Nor
gan personnel 1t would be more
logical II he were to say. Take her,
old thing. with my blessing" After
which he would disport himself in
peace with the baby bacchantes.
To return to which fascinating sub
ject. we have often fancied that
some of the contemporary classic
dances" would be a magnificent
joke to a sophisticated Greek or
Roman of the ancient days, but the
Morgan maenads, II transporteo
through time and space to the
Athens of Pericles would, we think,
bring down the house"
There is an inimitabl unctuous-
ness. lovable sententiousness
about everything that Tom Wise
does. In his present vehicle.
Memories" the veteran is at his
best. Elizabeth Brlce sings blues"
and a nanny lullaby" with a
VI
we'll deserved applause. We have
told a little about Charlie Ahearn
in the first paragraph OF this re-
view. but that isn't the half of 1t,
dearies. For he has the able as
sistance of the Greenwich Village
Band, two nimble gnomes and a
luscious young lady. Jack Benny is
violinist with admirable comedic
instincts much appreciated by the
audience. Wylie and Hartman have
an act of regular big time caliber.
Fivek and Jenny are sensational
roller skaters. As for Meehan's
houn' dawgs, IL you like dogs at
all, you'll love 'em.
NJ. II.