The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-18
ADJUSTMENTS
The '.Princess ChicS at the Metro
NEt8s. DOlitAn. s,sE - ~

The "Princess Chic" Mt the Metro
politan. 4
There is in THE Princess Chic. the saw
ing grace of romance which takes it at once
out OF the musical vaudeville class now filing
the stage with foolery and glitter Foolery
has its place in the production, and a funny
enough brand foolery it is, but it never in
terferes with the telling of a story which, not
withstanding its somewhat fimsy texture,
has the true simmer of romance. In this
respect Mr.. La Shelles work approaches more
nearly the standard set by robin Hood
than any recent American offering.
And the illusion has been most ceverly sup
ported in every possible way. The music by
Julian Edwards is admirably suited to the
book and lends briskness and buoyancy to
the atmosphere of the piece The score is
set with many brilliants and their quality is
not only characteristic but rather better than
the average. Indeed, very few comic or
romantic operas of the day offer anything so
daintily humorous as the Story Book song,
so quantity pathetic the ballad of the wood.
nymph and the river god, SO melodous as
The Love Light in Her Eyes," or so srik
ingly militant as the rollicking WAR Is a
Bountiful Jade" number hrs - = .l.z
The settings, too, are not merely riotings
OF color tastefully centriyed and artfully
lighted. History has been consulted and with
out giving too slavish obedience to it's die.
tates, the producer has furnished rich and
picturesque costumes. Of the period and seen
cry to match. =
The company this year seems individually
as strong as that Of last year, but somehow
the bloom has been brushed Off the production
and it seems indefnably- to have lost the
vivacity and freshness Of youth. No doubt,
this thought would not occur to one seeing it
for the first time. Maude Lillian Berri brings
to the title role a beauty less radiant but
dramatic understanding keener and surer
than her predecessor, Marguerite Sylvia. She
is thus able to realize the romantic qualities
of the dashing princess who is as ready with
her sword as with her smile, and who knows
how to charm the duke, whether in the guise
Of dashing envoy, coy peasant maiden or
grand dame. Miss Berri sings too, with a
clear, pure soprano that is most effective,
Notwithstanding the lack of good head tones.
One charm of her singing is the marvelously
clear enunciation which makes every word
Ineligible. This is particularly noticeable
in the ensembles where her vocalizaton
stands out from the choric background like
delicate lace work. Hubert Wilke has been
retained in the role OF the duke, and still
lacks fire in action and in song that might
reasonably be expected of the Burgundan
hotspur. Thomas c. Leary comes again with
his quaint and humorous representation of the
dukes steward. His sasides' to the audi
ence as convulsivant as ever. Neil Nc
Nell as the steward Of the princess, seconds
Mr.. Leary's fun making excellently and in
PRODUCES some good stunts of his own.
Edward S. Metcalfe and W. A. Lawrence as
the ragged soldiers Of fortune make the most
of their opportunities for comedy. Mr. Met
cafe sings War Is Bountiful Jade" with
anvil chorus accompaniment, and does it we'll,
despite indistinct enunciation and a tendency
to slur that mar an otherwise stirring inter-
probation. Mr.. Lawrence carries off the vocal
Io,,o for fIn ;o he han fhot fo11c
to his lot in. his brief appearance as the king.
Dorothy Hunting, page to the princess;
furnishes an effective contrast in face, figure
and voice to her principal Heroine number,
I the Love Light" song, was we'll suited to her
rich contralto Her defects are, shortness of
breath and a slight vbrato. Edna Floyd
makes pretty picture as. the steward S
daughter and her voice, while light, is pleas
, ing. Frederick knights is overweighted with
the role of theSdukes friend. The chorus is
well trained and sings the ensembles with
good effect. ;.J&f} ast-W. B. Chamberlain.