Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-12
Little Miss Bluebeard.'

Charles Frohman. the institution.
not the famous manager .oi othe e,.
days, whose name is lnSepara oly
linked with the. memories of plays
and productions that honored the
American stage, in association win
L. Ray Goetz, presented at tne Na-
tional Theater last night an attrac-
ton more nearly like the Frohman
Entertainments Of old than any which
can now be recalled. Strange to say,
the play, Little Miss Bluebeard, is
an Avery Hopwood creation, staged
by W. II. Gilmore. -
But with the play comes star IN
Irene Bordoni, whose dainty. delicate
charm is so fascinating as to ilft MI.
Hopwood's work almost into the
realm of a fairy play. 1t is FTenchy
in flavor. it is true, but not IN the
American sense of the word, al
thnueh Larry Charters, one of its
chief figures, is a hero in foroidden
amours. Yet neither in language
nor in situation. at any time, Is mere
anything to offend even Ine sioe.
thoroughly delightful entertainment
throughout, and the fact was pain.
ly reflected in the faces ana IN tne
applause of the almost capacity auoi-
ence last evening. .;,,.+ed
Miss Bordoni completely capt ply rea
this audience at the outset ana re-
tained it's respect and admiration IN
high degree at the close. Hers Is
a peculiar charm. in Wnlcn ne
French accent. her sweet h anu p and
her indescribable grace comolne WIZ WIZ
irresistible appeal. AND II Is snio
charm that disarms the HopWoou,.an
element of the play-its spice, IN Iaci =.
Of what at ,a in o ofpensi1e. The play is
comedy bordering upon farce, anu t, ,es
story and action permit the insro os
auction of several songs ny MIS-. MISS
Bordini - $50. This Is Lo Love, INV
G GO %iale ase ia Ia Vioietera) and Y
NY Say won't" all Of them
hMs om and effectively sung.
Without effort and rather with the
aim Of bringing out thelr oi;sh,
than Of exploiting vocal ac'o
An admirable company LENDS e *
,oi1nnt s1Ipuort to the star IN us
every opportunity. the COMEDY nird
of Eric Blore; as the the a9 Feature Of the
Rob Taimadge. played by Stanley
Jnpan. who has a charming wire
whom he says he adores. rus Sha,ters'
whose conauests as a song writer are
nrobabIy eoualed by his conquests o.
the feminine heart, regardless OF
marital ties, with the confession enae
pretty French girl (Miss BordonD,
and that. swept on by his infatuations.
he married her, but in the name OF
Larry, who has widely proclaimed
that he will never marry. At the ap-
pearance of CoIette,. who has been
| left waiting in a cab outside, Larrys
indignation at once begins to dissolve
and to, transform into the sort OF
FASCINATION that is supposed to have
swept Bob off his feet. Colette Is In
stalled as the mistress of Larry's
| lodgings for the night, with the un-
derstanding that she shall remain for
a week before instituting proceedings
| for a divorce; but Bob insists upon
remaining as a chaperon, and Berthe
Bird, who has been turned out Of his
lady friends, also remains to COM
plete the three guardsmen Of the
! iady's honor. OF course, Larry falls
desperately and irretrievably in love
with Colette, although finding him
self baked at almost every stage by
Bob and his seeming devotion, and
! Colette falls in love with Larry. So
have not seen the play. To add more
would be to rob them OF an evening
Of very delightful entertainment, in
which a most difficult situation is
beautifully solved to- the satisfaction
Of everybody and to the especial
pleasure of the audience.
| Arthur Margetson seems an ideal
Larry; William Eville an admirable.
! admiring and discreet butler for
larry: Arthur Barry, a circumspect
and adequate father Of Bob's wife.
Gloria, whose dignity and charm will
/ not be questioned, and Margaret Lin
den and Eva Leonard-Boyne picture
| the adoring, but inoffensive lady
! friends Of Larry, who seriously COM