New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-14
MUSIC.
Babes IN ToylGTd.
MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Babes IN Toyland." by Glen Marlborough. Victor
Herbert and Julian Mitchell-fOr Mr.. Mitchell me
stage manager. deserves the honor OF ranking with
the author and composer as one OF the creators
OF the play-was shown last night AT the Majestic
Theatre, and proved its right be considered not
only a worthy successor 70 The Wizard Of or
but 4 marked improvement on the former eX-
JravaganZa, 50 that IL Is likely TO prove quite as
popular as its predecessor. and win at the same
time more critical appreciation and imPart q much
more delicate sense Of pleasure.
Whose hands most literally shaped this result
II were hard 10 determine al have worked to-
gether harmOniOUsly- IIr. Marlborough has told
his little story Of the adventures Of the Babes II
Toyland, Of their companions. Boy Blue. Jack and
Jill Mistress Mary and the rest OF the spiders and
fairies and the old toymaker. with charming sim
Pcity. directness ard skill so that it runs
like pretty thread OF coICred worstsd
through the pantonimic spectaces and Incl
dents OF the extrava CANA But to this story
Mr.. Herbert has supplied at al required
points charming and appropriate music musician
music that does pain by obvious orchestratton.
that is dainty and poetic AZ occasion or ambitious
for a chorus, or tuneful. brisk and merry, Toy
land music ought TO be. And Mr.. Mitchell has met
every one Of the countless occasions fer stage
pictures scenic display, and chorus ensemble with
a skill that is equal to anything he has shown in
the past and with a blending CT lights and colors
that for the first time in Ir. AftcheITs career are
entirely free from discord- He has Furthermore.
cast the play with discretion and supplied admir-
ably adapted actors for the leading parts The re-
suit OF these joint labors is ext-ava ganza and
pantomime that outranks Mr.. Bluebeard' il mag
niace1ce and is not TO be mentioned in the zame
breath with that destinations Importation when
real charm is considered Musi-ay dainty. contin-
ualy interesting. saturated with bright light Ike
laughter and permeated with wholesome good nat
ure Babes in Toyland' IS delightful ex-
annie of its class Of entertainment as the mast
cautious reed ask for.
The Babes Of the play are William Norris and
Miss Mabel Barrison- Mr.. Norris's work IN -
Country Girl last season doubtless Won him the
position for which his youthful appearance. his
delicate and Contagious sense OF I'm, and his
mower TO be Iudicrous without becoming grotesque
admirably fit him Indeed. he gives 50 much pleas
ure in the part that IT would be unznd to wish
him hack on the legitimate sc yet awhile Miss
harrison too. was dainty and childish and sang
ca-ftaTIy ore Of the best cor1ic songs heard here
IN many & Cav. She sat little Lerch below
the garden wall. and held slate. and sang how
hard Il was 70 do" arithmetic And or the wall
above her sat Miss MufEet and Little Boy Blue,
and simple Simon. and Tommy Tucker. and the
rart Of he childhood comrades, al IN row, with
their States too; and arithmetic vas quite IS hard
for them as for her The music OF the song vas
as rtvthuicaI and bright the lyric, and the
lyric was very rhythmical and bright. indeed me
song was demanded again and again. and tbs
audience grew mellow as they listened
Miss ANY Rica-d an actress seen last year n
support OF Miss Mary AIannering piayel Mistress
Mary in good. contrary fashion, and dlscioSed Al
r.nexpectedIy sweet and pleasing voice MISS Sea-
sic WYNN won her share Of applause Tor a song
ir the Tovnaker's wonderful shop, and Mss Neile
- .s mn. and Charles Guyer. as the Toy
,,.,sar,s apprcntice materially added 20 the f"n
of an evening b-irnful OF entertainment
And how the Children Will pack that theatre at
the ma-lnees!