The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-18
AT THE THEATER

1t is seldom that theater-goers have
an opportunity to witness a produc-
ton as finished and charming as
Dolly Warden" in which Lulu Chaser
and her company appeared last night
From every standpoint the perform
ance was of such unusual excellence
and so thoroughly enjoyable that it is
impossible to speak too enthusiastical-
ly of it. The music alone was delight
full, and there are a number of fine
voices in the cast of the sort rarely
heard in comic opera. Miss Chaser.
herself, charming in every way, is not
least so in her singing, for her voice
is pure in quality, clear and sweet
Owing to the length of the pro-
gramme several numbers were cut out
and she was not heard frequently in
solo, but her song, The Lay of the
JAY" in the second act. was we'll
worth waiting for if it had been the
only good thing of the evening. AS an
actress, Miss CHASER is so captivating.
so expert in enchanting little womanly
wileS, and so full of infectious good
spirits, that her audience went over to
her heart and soul from her first hoy
denish appearance as the country girl,
new to London sights, to her final de-
mure disappearance as the bride of the
English sailor she had hoodwinked
"Gardy dear" to win. 1t is impossible
to define her fascination, but that it
had a strong hold on her audience was
evidenced by the constant laughter
and applause that greeted her pretty
tricks of manner and witty sallies
One of the most noticeable points
about the opera was it's refined tone
1t did not depend for its humor upon
any buffoonery, the funmaking being
all of the most delicate sort. and there
is not a single vulgar allusion or sug-
gestive situation in the entire piece. 1t
is most beautifully staged. The period
is the time of George 1, and the cos
tunes are made after the handsome
and picturesque court dress of that
day, as only characters of high Eng
lish life are introduced.
The chorus is not only delightful to
hear. but is made up of pretty women.
Particularly lovely is Miss Mary Con-
well, who appears as Letitia Fairfax,
London belle. at whose home in
Beauchamp towers both acts are laid
Besides her natural beauty, Miss Con-
wei Is ana inOSI
in her little flirtations with Harcourt
in the first act. their duet "Wher
Lovers Are Alone being one of the
prettiest numbers given. Tom Doniei,
who takes the part of Dolly's odious
guardian, is gifted with a beautiful
bass voice that was heard to great ad-
vantage in solo in the first act. ana
in The Song of the Sword" with a
male seXtette. in the last.
The long intermission between the
two acts was not the fault of the
management but is the usual interval
allowed wherever the opera is pro-
duced, and is so stated on the pro-
gramme. To one who considers the
elaborate scenery of the last act. and
the necessary time to be consumed in
placing it, the delay is not surprising.
Savannah is peculiarly fortunate in
the fact that the opera will be pro-
duced again tonight This is an op-
portunity that is not often given here,
and will no doubt be made the most
of, not only by those that were I'M
able to attend last night, but by those
to whom a second hearing of the
opera could only increase appreciation
of its merits.
Tomorrow night the Bostonians will
present Maid Marian" the sequel to
Robin Hood" The authors of the OPP