The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-08-31
COMIC OPERA "HAPPYLAND"
NEW HAVEN AGAIN i FIRST
 NIGHT CITY.

NNAilAC oPEAA AO 1N
 scented at Hyperion TO-night-Skesch
 of the PIOt-dr. Ranken's Original Characters-sIusieaI Synopsis.
 Again the critical faculty of the New Haven theater-going public has been recognized by it's selection as the place for the first production on any stage of Frederick Ranken and Reginald de Kovens new comic opera, Happyland,' or, as its authors prefer to name it, ''The King of Elysia." This opera, the fifth de KoYen production to have its first night in this city, will be given at the Hyperion this evening preparatory to the commencement of an engage ment at the Boston theater in the Hub, where it will open on Saturday night.
 "Happyland" is a distinct attempt on the part of its authors to return to the good, legitimate comic opera, the kind that the famous original Bostonians made their great success in. They feel that the formless musical comedy or extravaganza which has held the pub lie for several years has run it's course, and that the public is ready to greet return to the comic opera with it's defi- nite, well-worked-out plot, where everything is notified and connected, and where situation and incident are properly interrelated and emphasized. Such production. is this work of Messrs. Ranken and de Koven, and along these same lines they will work in the series of four comic operas which they are under contract to pro- | duce for Henry w. Savage during the 1 next four years.
 The plot of this opera, definite, tan gible plot, hinges primarily on pro- posed alliance, by marriage, of the kings of Elysia. "Happyland," and AL truria, the purpose of the alliance being for defense against Prince Fortunatus of Fortunia, "a more powerful kingdom. The infant child Of Ecstaticus, insreal- 1 ity girl; but announced as hoy, is betrothed to the supposed daughter of Altimus, king Of Altruria. The latter in reality has no daughter, but when the eighteen years have passed, for which age the marriage is set, he 1 adopts a daughter and proceeds to march into Elysia to have the contract carried out. Ecstaticus, on hearing of this action, is placed in a delicate posi- 1 tion. His supposed prince has been brought up entirely in seclusion and is absolutely ignorant of worldly affairs a simple minded, innocent girl. An at tempt to school her into acting the prince In an hour obviously fails, and Ecstaticus is unable to find any sub stitute, as by a recent decree of his all his formerly unmarried citizens are now newly welded. Just at this junc- ture Fortunatus comes down intent on allying himself with King Altimus by l marriage with his reputed daughter. He leads a troupe of troubadours to carry off the maiden, with the result that they abduct the supposed prince, Sylvia, to whom Fortunatus pays l court. Out of these complications the plot is then logically and humorously evolved to the general satisfaction of all. ....s....t.. ,.,s .4-
 MT. Ranken has produced two dis tinctively original characters in this opera, Sylvia, the unsophisticated daughter of Ecstaticus, which is enact ed by Marguerite Clark, who is excel lently fitted for her role, and | Sphinxus,- who makes a profession of keeping the, secrets of people who find themselves overcharged and then pro- ceeds to tell all he knows to his next prospective client as proof, of his ability to retain confidences. Sphinxus is acted by George B. Buckingham, a member of the original Bostonians. Another former Bostonian in the cast is Estelle Wentworth. That the music l is the composition of Reginald de Ko- ven says enough for New Haven au- dience on that score.
 While De Wolf Hopper is presented as the star of the piece, he is supported l by cast of principals and chorus which is said to be a first-class star cast of actors and singers. The opera was written for MT. Hopper and is cal- culated to bring to the notice of the l public his excellent ability as singer. He is reported to have a splendid bass voice, which he will thus be given an opportunity of making use of. There are eighty members in the company.
 MT. Ranken is anxious that the state ment that he is the author of the I 'fSuTaWayS ana line EdTI ana CH6 tlGirl" should be corrected. MT. Ranken did not write either of these comedies, and does not wish the public to gain any such impression.
 The musical synopsis of the play con- tains the following selections: ACT I.
 Opening .....s,f..,. .-.
 a. Hail Gentle Eos-Patrieia.
 b. Entrance Oh Goddess-Elysian l Maidens.
 c. Entrance and Sickle Dance l Reaper Maids.
 Song-Just Eighteen Years Ago Sphinxus.
 a. Entrance of Hussars-Royal Hus- sars Are We-Hussars.
 b. song-A Soldier of Love Am T. l Appollus.
 Entrance--A sickening Sadness Sits on
 Me-King. -'' =,
 Recitation and Robin-Sylvia. Trio--What's Maiden ?-Sylvia, King, Sphinxus.
 1 FntraDne - ITndar Wicket -- FTro11ha-