The Washington times., 1902-03-18

Pillot ......................Ch Charles DUNCAN
Ristac. Frank NJ heliey
Georges Glrodet. -.Johh l'uoeS
La Edmund Lawrence
Cadaux. ux..................-....Geo George IL. ROLAND
Lieutenant ChSmboS. Frederick X. Logan
PTeiect ot Pollce...--- tandult
First Gendarme. George Schofeld
Servant: ........,..-.-..-.......-C }. Clarke
Stephanie Helen Byron
Madame Girodet. ..................A Adelia Barker
Madame Duclos.. Gertrude Mackenzie
BelaZnc. .Adine BOuyler
Coralie. Alice Maude Poole
There is really nothing new about "A
Royal Rogue SO far as Washington is
concerned.
1t was presented in this city over n
year ago, yet were one to judge from the
amount of verve and abandon that was
injected into the performance of the
comice opera by Jefferson De hngelis and
his merry band last night at the Colum-
bia Theatre, one might easily suppose
that the piece was being given for the
first time and each member of the rather
large cast was industriously striving to
give a performance that would receive
good newspaper notices on the morrow.
There was large assemblage at the
Columbia. and it received more than its
moneys worth in laughs during the ac-
tion of the musical affair.
There have undoubtedly been much bet
ter comic operas written during the past
decade than "A Royal Rogue" certainly
more elaborate productions have visited
the Capital, and other shows have con-
tanned music that has appealed to a more
exacting crowd than the audience of last
4
more familiar names have appeared on
the programmes of the local theatres
but when it comes to fun-and the sort of
fun that demands large F at the begin
nipg-'A Royal Rogue" has never been
surpassed.
Comedian De Angels was well nigh
prostrated at the termination of the per-
foTmance. The average spectator, who
knows naught of the De Angels habit of
working overtime in the task of creating
laughter, was momentarily looking for
the physical collapse of the star of
the performance for, hardworking
comedian that he has always shown
himself TO be, De Angels certainly
never labored more assiduously than last
night. He verify tried to carry the whole
chow on his own shoulders, although
there wasn't the slightest need for it, be-
cause he had plenty of capable assistance
from the others of the organization. Still,
with De Angels, from the moment he
bounded or the scene, accompanied by the
noise of an explosion of a kitchen range,
st was work, work, work, every precious
moment.
The result was that he at first got his
audience laughing right merrily at his
funny pranks; then later on the cachina
tion took on a wilder turn, and finally the
laughs came so frequent that the critical
portion of the audience was compelled to
put away its stop watch, for the laughs
came faster than one minute and could
not be recorded. De Angels, in the
meantime, fairly reveled in his merry
work.
The chief factor in the success of "a
Royal Rogue first figures as the propri
etor of a Partisan restaurant, but only
for a brief spell, however, for he is called
upon by his daughter to impersonate a
duke. and soon after he is appointed by
club of conspirators to assassinate that
same duke. This leads him into all sorts
OF embarrassments. Lot the least of which
Is the proper way of doing away with the
duke.
Grant Stewards lyrics are enough of
handicap to almost kill any piece with a
musical setting such as is provided by
William Francis. Mr.. Francis. by the
way, directs the orchestra and sees to it
that the very best results are secured,
even If the orchestration of his compost
tion is something to marvel at. Some of
the melodies in "a Royal Rogue" are de-
eidedly good. but even the m,isic is COM
PEELED to take back seat when De An
CELLS is on the stage manufacturing fun.
Charles Klein's story is infinitely better
man the average supplied for similar pur
poses, and there is nothing at all ira
Iional about il.
Mr.. De Angels support is, on the
whole good. Adella Barker is a capital
foil for the star. while Henry Norman's
splendid basso is of great assistance in
the Interpretation of the piece Mr.. Nor
mans Song of the Table d'Hote,' in
the first act. is one OF the most enjoyable
plumbers of the performance. Helen By
ron, a very fluffy sort of a young woman,
Who sings ordinarily, dances gracefully.
and as though actually enjoying it, and
makes a very charming picture at all
times. contributes 10 the love interest"
of the opera, with the assistance of John
Dudley.
Miss Alice Maude Poole and Miss Adine
from the Theatre Varieties. are seen in
the same roles they assumed last year.
Miss Poole is an exceptionally good sing
er and shows dramatic talent that gives
promise of better things in the future,
while Miss Bouyier contents herself with
being a rather striking beauty and put
ting considerable yerye into her work.
The chorus is stronger yocally than nu-
merically, and it evidently catches the in
fection of DE Angels earnestness. for it
labors with will throughout the two
acts There are no chorus maidens with
the De Angelis company that have ever
made three-quarters of a million dollars
speculating in Wall Street, and none of
the young women are known to be en-
gagged to Steel Trust magnates. They are
not that sort of chorus girls. But they
can sing and kick up their little heels as
well as anybody might wish, and while
there are no beauties among the lot the
chances are that each is great comfort
10 her parents.
Janice Meredith" a drama
iization OF Paul Leicester Ford's novel
of the same name made by Edward E.
Rose.
s..