The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11
Cbe CbedtreS
"Sergeant Kitty."

Sergeant Kitty" a latter day comic opera of the French in the early nine teent1 century, pleased two Montgom- cry audiences at matinee and night performances yesterday--a feat for the company that is all the more creditab ble on account of the fact that it came to Montgomery without the prestige borne by organizations sent out by F. C. Whitney, Henry Savage or other great musical play producers.
 There Is some excellent talent In the company presenting Sergeant Kitty" at the Montgomery theatre yesterday and there are some who are mediocre.
 Called aJn original military comic op- era with book and lyrics by R. H Burn side and music by A. Baldwin Sloane. Sergeant Kitty" veers almost into pure musical comedy. One who has had a six months course in memory training might remember the train of incidents that form the plot for that rather important necessity of comic opera is hid amid some good and some commonplace music like the provcrbial needle that got lost.
 Helen Byron's dainty Kitty. Edith Bla!r's sweet soprano and the comedy work of Charles Wayne and Tom Hard away were the features of the enter ta inment
 
 with Montgomery theatre goers as d dainty little woman with some voice and much ability to act cleverly in whatever part she Is cast. She looked charming in the costumes she wore and by her .'ivacity won the audience
 Miss Blair shone resplendently. She mas grace and ease and her numbers were enjoyable features. Her song True Love Lives But in Our Dreams" was delightfully."- rendered and she was rewarded with several encores Her voice was heard to advantage In the duet with Mir. Earl in the second act The Girl he Left Behind Him" and the dance was pretty and we'll exc cuted.
 The comedy work of Charles Wayne was much enjoyed. He will be remem- bered in Montgomery for his strong personal magnetism" in The Tender foot" which was seen here with Rich ard Carle as its star some weeks ago. His humor as the captain was irresist- ible. and it never failed to tickle the audience. He has a most admirable as sistant in Tom Hardaway, who took the part of "Celestin," a valet. Al though this clever comedian may lay claims to the success of his work by the facial expressions of a very com!- cal face. the real credit for his success must be asCribed to his legs. He can show as many different moods with his legs as Frank Daniels can with his face and when he used his sQuirm" legs, the audience simply roared with laughter. Ills work could not have been improved.
 Frederick Knights, as a French of fcor tu love with kitty has an impos ing stage presence and q well modu- lated voice. His songs. especially in his duet with Kitty Love Laughs at Loc ocksmiths." were eXcellently done As an actor. however he did not come up | to the standard. his stiffness being noii, ible throughout.
 Svlvian LanElois, as General Dunbois was miscast and his presence did not | enhance the value of the performance Joseph Claillee, James A. Furcy and Virginia Palmer as a Sergeant q nota- | ry and the aunt of Kitty respectively deserves mention for excellent bits of 1 character acting.
 The songs which pleased were True l Love Lives But in Our Dreams" Love" l War" The Girl He Left Behind Him" 1 "Oh Kitty" and We are Gallant Regiment"
 The ensembles were executed in fine style by a well costumed and well drlll- i ed chorus.
 The two settings were extremely pretty and the play was adequately ! staged ia every respect.