The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-02
AT THE THEATRES.
Princes. chic,

Charles Duke Of Burgundy. ..... Winfield Riakr
,ouiA h.'s.s.................N Walter \ Lawrence
famous. Edgar Temple
DneInoef'in. Richard Golden
.......--...-...-.........J G. Mirnn
btaot'u' Vaudeville
toiiilaaTd. Harry brown
Lorraine. .Mathdc PrevilIc
rSttiic.. Louise Hepner
Princess thic.-..........--......... Minnie Methot
rollicking. rioting compilation in
which all the songs are of love or war: in
which all the women are tempting. and all
the men titled-this is "The Princess
Chic" the new Kirke La Shellc venture
exhibited before big audience last night
at the Lafayette Square. The piece. in
erief. has much OF the favor of the days
when the printed copies Of such works
had not yet begun to resemble farmers
almanacs with melodies. instead of patent
medicine advertisements, connecting the
lokes. 1t is-so the programmes state-au
opera comique, and the difference between
an cpera eomiIue and n comic opera Is the
ulnerehee between a pennyvorth OF taffy
anu boN OF French candy There is "A
zeal OF dignity and conference and music IN
Inc Princess Chic even IL the details of
'ue piot nave been so crowded together
that there is little room for laughter in tbe
intervening spaces The assemblage a.
yester-evening understood tho substitution
and seemed TO appreciate it.
The managers of the production are re-
sponsible for one glaring distinction
'twixt The Princess Chic and other rem
d1rings of the sort-a distinction in ex-
penditures. The shabby trappings and
makeshift sets that sufficed quite UP to tee
time of Fra Diavolo" are missing. In
their stead the spectator has very adequate
that were greeted with heartiness that
might have made the composer Jealous of
the tailor. The dresses VI the second act.
in particular. are gorgeous-more gorgeous
than anything of the sort that has been
displayed here since '"The Charlatan.'
Fitted snugly over girls who. for the main
part. appear pretty. they present picture
that probably will increase greatly the
revenues of the Spectator who owns the
opera glasses at the Lafayette.
THE Princess Chic" has no point so
strong as its melodies. however. and, il
ultimately tire Offering succeeds. the ho1or
will belong to Julian Edwards. Neither in
The Wedding Day" nor in Madeline. did
Mr.. Edwards surpass this s-ore-a score as
full of catchy numbers as is an Grange rind
OF Grange. The music is whimsical and
highly colored. IL is rarely reminiscent.
The auditor who hummcd ahead OF the or
chestra would Of necessity be either mind
reader or note reader. Particularly cling
ing is the opening chorus of the third scene
War Gives to the Soldier" which has
much of the ring OF The Tinker song in
Robin Hood The finale Of the first act.
smackiug notably Of the Italian and co.,
tanning gem in the air mo More to
Part also is excellent. while "Ah Love.
True Love" In Days OF Maize. Soldiers
CT Fortune" "In q Story Book" I'm Only
a Poor Little Girl" aud, In Your Dear
Eyes" all brought encores last night.
Unfortunately. Kirke La Shelle's book is
not up to the standard. The theme, which
concerns a princess who assumes dis
g1ise and so wins martial and marital al
lance with a neighboring duke, is told
In anything but a direct manner. while the
comedy interpolatsd is trite and scant. The
only laughter compel. ed yester-evening
was gained through Richard Golden's con-
slant repetition of q single line-a method
Of forcing smiles that has neither the
merit of novelty nor the charm OF geuu
inc wit The lyrics are ingenious but la
bored Altogether. as matters stand, it
cannot be said that Mr.. La Shelle has ac-
complished his task credita5iy. Operas,
however. are built as well as written. and,
when the capable testers employed in the
presentation have become quite used to
their parts, much may be done toward
either lowering the work to real comic
opera or elevating it to opera comiq-e.
Though the fact that The Princess Chic
has had only three performances initiated
against last nights rendering, discernment
is not required to see that Mr.. La Sheile
has atoned for his faults as librettist by
his abilities as a manager The company
engaged is admirable. Mathilde Preville,
who caused warfare by quitting Francis
Wilson. sings the role of a page in a
fashion that proves her worth fighting for.
She has a fine cOntralto OF great range and
sweetness. Almost equally good is Minnie
Methot's lnezzo-soprano, while her imper-
! sonation of the Princess is full OF dainti-
ness and piquancy. Despite severe cold,
Louise Hepner was delightful as the
| daughter of the Dukes steward. Winfield
| Blake, Walter A. Lawrence. and Edgar
| Temple all have pleasing voices. Richard
| Golden was the life OK the presentation,
| his hard work and his spontaneous humor
| doing much to prevent WEAKNESS. J. c..
| Miron, too, is above criticism. Either be-
cause they have nothing 10 do or because
| there is nothing they can do. Harry Brown
| and VIII Vaudeville are disappointing. As
! has been said, the ensemble suggests the
| possibility of but trifiing improvements.
THE Princess Chic" is worth seeing.
| CoIumbin-"Thc Jolly Nuskctecr."