Life — November 18, 1909 — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

VERY SOON stage discipline and stage instinct that causes the actor to sink his individuality in the general effort. In The New Theatre in its first ex- periments—and its efforts must be ex- perimental for some time to come—we have a fine object lesson. And we have also reason for great hope. op oOo 8 @ Mec fun, good dancing, and un- usually good chorus singing are to he found in “ Mr. Lode of Koal"* at the Majestic. All the performers are colored people and they are headed by that real ( *LIFE- colored comedian, Mr. Bert Williams, of international fame as one of the firm of Williams and Walker. He is content to be a negro comedian, not an imitation white man, and in this lies his fun-mak- ing power. Any one who knows the race in its primitive condition in America finds genuine artistry in Mr. Williams and his impersonation of the black man with the characteristics of the traditional negro. He is funny in looks, speech and movement, and he sings his songs in a way to provoke present and reminiscent laughter. “Mr, Lode of Koal’’ is written, com- posed and performed entirely by colored people and is vastly more amusing and laughable than many Caucasian outputs of the same kind. Its women performers seem to have given up the excessive use of white folks’ cosmetics. URNING Mr. W. J. Locke's delightful books and the gentle humor and philosophy they con- tain over to stage use seems a process fraught with difficulty, His charm is an elusive one and hangs so much on the receptiveness in mood and mind of the reader that his best part is far from the universal touch the st one of his carlier works, he was nearer the purely dramatic than in his later creations. Therefore it makes a better play than “The Morals of Marcus" was and “ The Beloved Vagabond "" is said to be. “Septimus,"’ which is being tried out se requires. In “ Idols,” away from New York, has not yet met its final verdict Idols,’ as produced at the Bijou, was handicapped by a cast of not surpassin merit, but even so it told an interesting story in an interesting way. A courtroom PLAYING HEARTS 709 scene in which an innocent lady goes on the stand and swears circumstantially that she has been faithless to her mar- riage vows 1s bound to hold the attention, and, better done, might have made the play a sensational success. As it is, “Idols "" may catch the popu- lar fancy or, plays at the Bijou this season, may have gone to the mortuary chapel by the time Metcalfe after the fashion of other this is printed. “The Witching Hour.” aling with thougbt-trans: 1 power. Academy of Mu Absorbing dram Astor— b: Notice later Belasco M y a Failure?” Laughable comedy satirizing suburban life Locke's Bijou — Dramatization of Mr. “Idols.” Sce above “The Midnight Sons Mu The Girl and the Wizard.” Mr dias the comedian in a diverting —"The Melting Pot.” by Mr. 1 racl Zangwitl. America from the Jewi Criterron—" Israel.” Badly cast emotional ama with one strong scene te of Brittany,” with Mr. Notice later Inconstant ( farcical comedy, wit Mr. John Drew in the Jarrick—" The Harvest Moon.” by Me Thomas. Interesting setting forth n psychical theories, week of Elsie Ferguson's ch ant fantastic comedy Herald S “The Cho Delightful music well sung Arms and the Man,” rome — Excellent spectacle, ballet Hudson—Mr. Kyrle Rellew in“ The Build. er of Bridges.” Pleasant light drama well acted, amusing French detective Lyric—Mer. William “Blank verse tr. Mr. Lode of Koal a Opera Howse—Repertory of ng of the Third Fle play admirably son and Englis! New Theatre—Repertory including“ Ar tony and Cleopatra.” “The Cottage in th if Tack,” e's mystical acted by Mr. Forbes-Robert company Air and “ Strife.” Awaken’ Helena dramatizat pular Margaret Anglin and g graphic Phases of life int Wealleck’s—* The Fourth Estate.” ful and very well presented play of condi tions that confront us. Weber's—"* The Climax.” Agreeable litth comedy-drama with sical undertone comicbooks.com