The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-19
SERGEANT K|7TY''
and HER TROOPERS
They Sang at the Academy Last
Night Before a Large
Audience.

Bright lines good comedy work. and
the pretty, tuneful music Of the score of
tho opera, Sergeant Kitty" carried the
production on the Academy stage last
night to a successful termination, though
there were many misgivings during al.
most the entire first act as to what the
result would be.
The performance often dragged as badly
as the first night presentation Of piece
Several or the principals were not tho
roughly familiar with their parts, as a
result of which the dialogue was accom-
panied by many haltings and stumblings.
Once or twice there were those much
dreaded occurrences known as stage
waits" which sometimes affect an audi
ence almost as much as They'd the people
on the other side of the footlghts.
The company did not contain any voices
remarkable for either their strength or
sweetness Of tone but in comic opera
one does not always expect the best Of
voices, so thai Is a fault that may be
overlooked. e2s The score IS bright, with
many musical numbers that possess hat
quality best described as catchy" Ono
involuntarly has a desire to beat time
to It's rythm. The love song, the refrain
OF which runs through the opera, will be
ringing In the ears OF those who heard
1t long after Sergeant Kitty has gone
marching on her way 1t may be remin-
lscent, and the musician may separate
the bars and tell you where some of them
came from, but nobody cares for that
The music is there, and those who are
not too full Of their own dignity go away
cumming or whistling it.
Miss Helen Byron, as Sergeant Kitty"
was not sufficiently at case In her part
to do jus tice to herself. 1t was evident
that she had to give most Of her atten-
ton to berlng her next line. She
has a voice Of sweet tone. but little
strength. Miss Edith Blair who sang
the part Of Louise Dc Marrlac, Is a wo-
man Of most attractive personality, and
hcr duet with Mr.. Wheeler Earl was one
of the best numbers rendered, though 1t
must be admitted that this was due not
so much to the singing as to the grace
full manner In which tho two accompanied
tho music with their steps. The male
chorus, WAR" with Sylvan Langlos
leading, was well rendered, and was
full OF power.
tain" is due very largely the success
with which the opera met. lilo worked
hard and with some really humorous lines
to aid him, he succeeded In keeping the
audience laughing during most OF the
time he was on the stage.
Sergeant Kitty" Will be sung matinee
and night to-day,
"The Virginian."
The sale for '"rhe Virglnian." which
is TO be seen at the Academy Tuesday
matinee and night Is now on
It Is a long time since any theatrical
attraction has awakened the real interest
that Is felt here regarding this dramat-
cation of Owen Wister's stirring novel,
Mr.. Wister and Kirko La Shelle, in
dramatizng the story, have made every
effort to faithfully preserve the unique
values of the book, and, IL that have
succeeded. has been demonstrated by the
marvellous success Of the play in New
York and other eastern cities. 1t ran
for five months at the Manhattan The
are, drawing crowded houses at every
performance.
Different Kind of Rural Play.
Quincy Adams Sawyer" coming to
tina Academy for Thursday matinee and
night, Is said to be wholly different from
any other Now England play, and adj
vantageously so. 1t has been treated
with special individually OF perception
and Judgment, and the company was re-
with excellent regar dior their ability III
this line Of country character impcrson.
alton. The story of the young city man
In the country Is so naturally handled
that everyone pefceives the varied ro-
nance and humor OF the different sltua-
lions, and laughs and sympathizes with
equal spontaneity.
Mrs. Delaney Headed Here.
That delicious star Of Newport sas-
sicty,' mrs Delaney, of Newport" viii
give a laugh or 50 all next week tthc
Bijou Kate Fillmore, OF the Fillmore team
Of sisters, Is said to have de'lchtful
part, and to DO doing better work In 1t
than she has ever done before.
The company IL a large one, and the
whole action OF the piece Is made full
OF fun and music, There will be soma
dancing that will remind the old Hljou
regulars OF the days OF Fanchionetti and
the Bijou Musical Comedy Company
"A f.,r ~.