The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-01-31

the Chestnut street Theatre, RhllaQelphla,
for two weeks beginning last evening.
This comic opera, called fantasy of the
forest, marks an effort Oh the part of the
we'll known librettist and composer to
step aside from the beaten paths of COM
position in this line, which is said to have
been instantly and substantially success
full. 1t has been said that these two men
have probably accomplished more for the
entertainment of the people of this
country than any other two men in their
especial line. Certainly ''The Burgomas
ter, :" king Dodo" and "The Prince of
Pilsen" have added much to the gaiety
of the American nation and now it seems
that Woodland" will also contribute its
share. The idea was to place two acts of
a comic opera in the forest with all the
characters birds, and while that may have
appeared difficult task it seems to have
been done. The theme has not been
utilized before, and the pretty story of
the loves and ambitions of the bird king
dom furnishes a quite sufficient link for
connecting a series of delicious pictures
against gorgeous background of forest
scenery. The charm of the piece comes
mainly from the idyllic flavor that per-
meates the scenes, the lovely costumes
and the fairyland incidents. All the
to represent birds and the scenes are laid
in the heart of a forest. No human
character appears on the stage. The
birds rule their own kingdom and have
their own laws and customs, most of
which are those familiar to human beings,
though which borrowed from the other
does not appear. Their kingdom is ruled
by King Eagle, who has a son, Prince
Eagle, who is loved by and loves the
Nightingale Because of this and the
fact that the Prince refuses to espouse
Lady Hawk, at his fathers request, the
Prince is banished. Upon the accidental
death of the old King an election to fill
the throne is held and the mischievous
and not altogether honest Jay Bird secures
for himself the throne. He rules with
much trouble and annoyance to himself
and his subject and with many farcical
trials till the Prince is finally restored.
This story is daintily worded out and by
the aid of suggestive and artistic costumes
and rich and tasteful scenic equipment,
the piece is kept up to high plane. Mr..
Luders' music has been praised for its
fidelity to the spirit of the scenes and also
for its tuneful and pleasing qualities
which it is said, are not surpassed by any
thing which he has previously written.
The principal members are as follows:
Alexander Clarke, Frank Doane, John
Donahue, Stanley H. Forde, Douglas
Ruthven Charles D. Clarke, Harry N.
Pyke, Charles E. Meyer, Louise Tozier,
Ida Brooks Hunt, Emma Carus. Helen
Hale, Ida Mule, Louida Hilliard and
Matte Nichols. The chorus is large and
all of them representing as they do, birds
of plumage, have been selected with re-
spect to daintiness and beauty.
Opening last evening at the Chestnut
Street Opera House, Philadelphia, Babes
in Toyland," g musical extravaganza in
three acts, the libretto by Glen Mac
Donough and the music by Victor Her
bert, is to be seen for the first time in that
city. The production is under the man
agement of Hamlin and Mitchell who are
also the proprietors of the famous Wizard
of o." A pleasing story is told, one
which has permitted stage manager Julian
Mitchell and his associates to present all
kinds of startling and beautiful features.
The plot centres around two orphans, a
boy and girl, who have a miserlY old
uncle and guardian whose efforts in the
play are to get rid of them, obtain posses
sion of their money, and marry a young
woman who does not care for him. Alan
and Jane are the nephew and niece, while
Contrary Mary" is the girl who does not
want to be married to the old Shylock
because she really wants to marry Alan.
CONTRARY Mary in order to avoid the
unwelcome sutton runs away to 'Toy
land" She is followed by Alan and Jane
and all the rest of the characters and
there most wonderful things are seen
The master toy-maker discovers a secret
with which he endows his creatures with
70 fhor fl1r IN
kill him, making Alan, whom they believe
to be one of their number, their leader.
Alan is in due time condemned to die for
the murder. Old Barnaby tells Contrary
Mary" he will save Alan on condition that
she will marry him, after which hequickly
betrays Alan anyway. There is law in
''Toyland" that a condemned man may
escape by marrying widow, and then all
the widows of the land are brought forth.
They pass by Alan, however, and the sen
tence is about to be carried out when old
Barnaby conveniently dies. This leaves
Contrary Mary" widow. She accepts
Alan and all ends happily. Particular
stress is laid upon the music of "Babes in
Toyland, all of it being said to be in
Victor Herbert's best vein and much
superior to the usual run of music found
in similar productions. A large company
is concerned in the presentation of the
"Babes in Toyland, among the principal
members being Ignacio Martinetti. Mabel
Barrison, Bessie Wynn, Gus Pixley,
Charles Guyer. Marguerite Ferguson,
John F. Ward, May De Souza Joseph
Greene, Katherine Murray, Katherine
Bell, and the eccentric vaudeville come
dams, CASTOR and Stone. The chorus is
said to be one of the largest and most
beautiful ever gotten together, and they
have been carefully trained in songs
dances and marches by Julian Mitchell.
"Queen OF the Highway" At Auditor
ium, Burlington, on Saturday evening"
February a. James II. Wallick has some
thing new to offer in the way of melo
drama this season. The play was written
| by an American boy, who was raised
among the Indians of the West. Charles
| A. TAYLOR is the author, and he has al
ready gained recognition among dramatic
writers for his several previous product
| ions, all of which have proved popular,
and made money. Queen of the High
way" tells the thrilling story of female
bandit. Sixteen years before the play
begins, Belle Dare, circus rider, deserts
her husband and child, to elope with Mat
Rowley, man who claims to be mining
expert, and wealthy, but who is really a
| leader of thieves and cattles rustlers in
| Colorado The first act shows a post
station in the Rockies. As Belle was not
| 90 years of age at the time of her escap-
ade, she is still young and beautiful, dash
ing, daring, and longing for excitement.
Rowley supplies this by making her his
partner in robbing the mails, which they
do from time to time with great success,
and unsupported. At the post station,
we also find Bellies daughter, now grown
| to womanhood Mother and daughter are
unknown to each other, and both fall in
love with Bob Sherwood, daring pony
express rider. He loves Jess, the daugh-
ter, and refuses to see Bellies preference.
Bob has located gold mine, and think
ing Rowley his friend confdes in him.
Rowley, however, is jealous, and in order
to get rid of him. and at the same time
possess himself of the mine, plans Bob's
death. Belle knows of this but does moi
interfere, having been scorned by both
Bob and Jess. Manitoba, an Indian, has
been hired to ambush Bob, so he lays in
wait by the trail, shoots the pony, stabs
the express rider, and throws him over 6
cliff In the meantime, Jess goes in search
of Bob, but he has already been found
and rescued by Rainbow, an Indian girl
in very thrilling manner. Trusting tt
the instinct of his wounded pony, the CIR
is guided to the spot where the hero, sur
rounded by wolves, is clinging to narrow
ledge, fighting them for his life. By The
aid of the lariat and the pony, she draws
him up to safety. In the last act, th'
robber who has so long been the terror O.
the highway, is discovered to be Belle, il
, male attire. In holding up the mai
coach. she is shot by her own husband
in mistake for the man who ruined hi
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