New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-02
The DRAMA.
Days Comes to It's Own Again-"Three
Little Maids"

Three Little Maids" a sweet. picture book
! story born Of mirth and adorned with music was
done into life on the stage Of Days Theatre last
evening by a company Of English actors. and
afforded FOR those who present probably ore
/ Of the most enjoyable evenings this many
| subsequent season viii afford. Paul Ruhens. who
wrote both book and score Of Three Little Maids"
may send us other delightful song plays, and other
English companies NAV come. but the unexpect-
edness Of everything last night OF the unusual form
and charm OF the play. Of the uniform excellence
OF the actors. the charm uniform, too Of the
women, Of the discovery Of ? comedian. and OF the
gracious return of Days Theatre 20 the old ways.
Will hardly in such completeness again. Al
together it was an evening to he remembered, 10
be reunen bered when the winter output Of musical
comedy" becomes n burden. ana the heart is al
most ready to grant that the cakevalk and chorus
are all the American public desires
Three Little Maids" tells the story 81 three
country girls. daughters Of a 9oor vicar. who go
I'd to London as tea girls. in the fashionable shop
OF a titled but impoverished lady. where they not
only aid their father financially. but themselves.
emotionally and matIimonially completing the con-
quest Of lord. young man and a French dip
lomat. begun in the country. winning them away
from three London girls. socially correct but lack
ing in charm and cleverness whatsthey possessed
Of superiority in stature. II is simple story; IN
other hands It would have become, doubtless.
simpering story. and been lost in frlis and dances
But Mr. RubeHs has touched il with the magic
charm Of an old picture and the skill Of comedian.
There is no chorus. only few golf players. or
tea girls OF guests at a ball not dozen In all
besides the principals who appear for the opening
and closing choral numbers. The story tells itself
out quite naturally through three acts breaking
into songs now and then when the characters con-
cerned think their passing mood is more fifty ex-
pressed by melody. when they have particular
" iolly little lyric idea they wish TO mpart: and
during all its telling it holds the interest OF the
audience by its sustained. falling atmosphere
Of deIicacy and graceful sentiment deicacy
OF leaves and lavender and pictures IN = book.
and by its equally unfailing. equally delicate and
graceful humor. M Rubeus has tried in his
music do but thins. with melodies that
in keeping with this atmosphere; and he has
ceeded. Ills songs are graceful. delicate, seenly
and mirthful. The effect of the whole song-plsy.
then, IS one effect. ii achieves remarkable.
grateful unity Of impression-the impression %
sweet sound. merry laugh. a fragrant odor. a
pretty face. delicate picture. called for conven-
fence Three Little Maids"
The cast was Of unfailing excellence. every part
was played with finish and intelligence and not
once there the slightest lapse from character.
common and so painful among American musical
comedy players. when. BY chance. they are given
character &c portray. But to - Z. Huntly. Eng
lish actor. only in the past with the
keadals on their first visit. when he was youth.
teH the lions share OF humOr. And n could not
have fallen In better hands As Lord Cheyue. an
ciehtiy indicated by his admiration OF the tea girl
because she could pour the tea into The cup every
DOrsay's Earl Of Pawtucket in popular apprecia-
ti0u, and 10y means Of more native fun, probably.
than D'Orsay possesses. Miss Maggie M8y-oddly
enough Miss Edna May played her part in London
Miss Della Mason and Miss Madge CrichtOn
the three maids. Each IN her turn won the house
with a song and charmed by her fresh girlishuess.
Maurice Farkos. the Frenchr1an. also gave
ceptional pleasure with song. and Miss Polly
Emery q tiny part. further contributed TO the
atmosphere 81 delicate sentiment. The play
tastefuuv and beautifully mounted and costEme0
All ia al. then play and players added TO the
triurnphs Of the Doherty brothers and the oxford
golfers IN demonstrating that international
Teriority Is not prcponderantfy American