The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-10-06
AESON OPENED
AT THE PRINCESS
CAPTAIN cARELEssS GIVEN PRE-.
MiER PERFoRMANcE-LAReE
AUDIENCE PLEASED.

inc opening VI lue nSh pSaSou a.
the Princess last night could hardly
fail to be an ausplclous occasion, sig.
nalized as it was by a double gener-
osity on the part Of Mr.. Bert G. Witt.
ney, Of Detroit, toward the playgoers
Of Toronto, Not only did Mr.. Whit.
ney offer brand new play as an intro
duction to the seasons attractions,
but he has given Toronto what is vir-
tually new theater. and many were
the expressions OF admiration heard
as the members Of the audience view
ed the handsome and spacious arrange
ment Of the rebuilt auditorium and
noted the many changes and improve
ments made. Manager Sheppard had
just cause for pride as he stood in the
lobby and received the congratulations
Of the patrons of the theater, which
judging by last nights attendance and
the appreciation manifested by those
who composed the audience, has lost
nothing Of It's hold on popular favor.
Captain Careless" the bill which
ushers in new year in the amuse.
ment world, is designated on the play
bill musical romance" Its produ-
Ger having In mind the cordial recep.
ton extended by Toronto in the past
to early productions of Whitney
shows, from the days Of Rob Roy"
and 1.-THE Hlghwayman" down to dol.
ly Warden" decided to give the lat
est whitney enterprise its premier
in this city, and if the welcome it re.
ceived last night may be taken as a
criterion, Captain Careless" may be
depended upon to take its place side
by side with the long line Of Whitney
successes. The piece is in many re-
spects a decided advance upon the gen.
eral run Of musical plays, while no op.
portunity has been overlooked to give
1t such additional aids to success as
may be secured by the provision OF
a competent cast, a superb mounting,
and picturesque and costly costuming.
While the plot is not quite so compli.
Gated as that OF a three.volume novel,
it serves all the purposes required for
a musical show. The book is supplied
by Mr.. Robert Melville Baker, AMI he
has done his work well, avoiding in a
commendable degree the employment
of aged jests, and furnishing the prln'
cipal comedians with many enjoyable
witticlsms and bright lines. The mu.
sic is by Mr.. Clifton Crawford, a
young English actor, who wrote the
song, Nancy Brown" Mr.. Crawford's
score is of that light and tuneful char.
acter which makes for popularity in
a musical production. On the whole
the music is possessed of graceful
and pleasing quality which satisfies
the ear.
The liberal applause bestowed upon
the performers was shared at the
close of the first act by author COM
poser, producer and their assistants
in the staging OF the piece. Mr.. John
E. Henshaw the star comedian, did
the honors, calling In turn upon Mr..
Baker, Mr.. Crawford and Mr.. Whit
ney, who expressed their thanks in
brief and modest speeches. Mr.. Whit
ney then introduced Mr.. Max Free
man, who staked the dramatic portion
of the opera. Mr.. Gus Sohlke, who
was responsible for the chorus, dances
and groupings, and Mr.. Alex, spen-
Ger, the musical director, who bowed
their Acknowledgements, 1t was fit
ting that their efforts should be re.
cognized for the work of the chorus
throughout was excellent in quality
and spirited In rendition, while some
rarely beautiful stage pictures we're
especially in the second act.
The chief hOnors were shared by MIR.
John E. Henshaw, and Miss Alice
Yorke. Mr.. Henshaw, as the irrepres-
sible publicity promoter of new brands
Of confectionery, whom fate places at
the head of q desperate band of bri.
gands, kept his auditors in good humor
by his employment of natural comedy
methods Joined to a constant effort to
make the most of every opportunity
him by his role. Each of his
humorous numbers was well render
ed, and equally well received, the most
popular being 1.-THE Mixing of the
Ads" and Santa Fe." Miss Yorke
proved that she well deserved the ad.
vancement she has won in the musical
world. Her clear, sweet and rich So
prano voice was heard to exceptional
in her songs. "Hyacinth"
and "Bluebell" and The Military Wed.
ming March" while she filled her role
with an esprit and chicness that made
her presence and chicness a real
pleasure.
Miss EIfreda Busting. a contralto