New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
THE DRAMA.
MUSICAL FARCE AT DALYS THEATRE

MUSICAL FARCE AT DALYS THEATRE
LA PoUPEE" s.
In the production Of Ia Poupee" that was made
Friday night at Days Theatre sprgihtly musical
farce IL added to the stock Of harmless public
pleasures and the leading theatre Of the city IL
auspiciously embarked upon It's spring and sum-
mer season. The house was crowded and the per-
Torrance was viewed with gladness and hailed
with many plaudits. La Poupee" is not new to
this public. but 1t has In far ad-
mirable shape than II had before. and In that
respect 1t is novelty. Mr.. James Powers is a vast
Improvement upon Mr.. Arson. and Virginia Earl
is worth a regiment Of such performers as
Anna Held while in Herbert Gresham and Joseph
Herbert the cast is enriched with actors OF ex-
ceptonaI ability for TIE expression OF eccentric
character and humor. The piece contains such a
felicity of fancy. and in the development OF its
fable there Is so large opportunity for touch
ing sentiment and for exquisite and polished execu-
ton that its lack Of special ingenuity OF situation
and of a fine and flexible text becomes theme OF
regret Nothing in the conduct OF the story Is
inventive and nothing that is said or sung by
anybody fingers in the memory as verbally piquant
or drol One doll is said to have "a scrambled-egg
complexion" and another TO possess "a patent
leather voice: but those phrases and others OF
their kindred surely cannot be deemed gems OF
humor.
The farce however. is rich in incident. and the
music with which It IS embellished is soft. gentle.
most effective numbers was the paraphrase OF thu
advice of Polonius Iaertes tShakespeares crib
from old Idlly) and that sung. with fine sonor-
ity by Mr. Frank Cell. The copious resonance OF
the same voice was admirable likewise In the Alb
bolts song about the joys Of contentei life, but
Mr. Ceri would probably dinuse a greater effect Of
iov by less expenditure of OBVIOUS physical effort
There was perhaps. p little excess Of the monks
and possibly little TOO much OF the
old foges in the second act. Miss
Virginia Earl was the central figure. and a more
fascinating figure has seldom been seen. Her EN-.
bodiment OF Allesia IL the incarnation Of innocent
alluring lovable mischief. and she sang very
sweetly and danced with delicious piquancy,-not
ar any point sacrificing refinement and grace. yet
being ut every point unconventional and free.
Mr. Powers as Harus. suggested red-headed
BENJAMIN Franklin and by his intense earnestness.
IN ridiculous circumstances. created a most
toyable effect Of comcality and mrth. The piece
has been richly set--the picture OF the Do-Makers
shop being q marvel of bizarre decoration. Some
very clever simuatons Of automaton figures were
given in that scene and II closed with a sort Of
grand apotheosis Of Brother Jonathan. The sue
cess Of the representation could not be doubted.
The piece contains many popular elements.-mirth.
song dance beauty OF woman. and humor OF &C.
ton and incident II pleases the eye and II leaves
tho mind refreshed and therefore its continuance
in public fnvor may we'll he anticipated.
PERSONS IN IA POUPEE"
N,te