The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-15
MY LADY'S MAID
UNQUALIFIED HIT
At OPERA HOUSE


This was the general and we'll merted
opinion OF the initial production OF the
shubert's two-ao, musical comedy my
Lady's Maid" at<the Opera House last
evening.
1t is an adaptationA, from an English
play; we'll adapted too, a1d Is quite one
Of the best musical comedies that has
been produced on this side ol the water
in a long time. The lyrics and\music are
by Paul Rubens, the book by Newman
Davis and Paul Rupens. while the Tevis-
ion for its American production was made
by Edward Poulton.
To say the least, the piece is bright,
catchy, all-attention holding. has plot,
that unlike most musical comedies. Is
not lost sight OF a few minutes after the
rise Of the curtain. In truth. the music
does al times, reach the level or light
opera and the book is indeed decidedly
more clever than is usually found in SIM
liar productions -In=tho comparison,
however, OF the book and the music, the
latter suffers. and while the airs are sweet
and pleasant 10 the ear, they do not have
that individuality or snap that one might
like 10 hear in them or that would appeal
more 10 the average audience. The dances
are clever and many OF them unique: the
chorus is well balanced. the feminine end
OF IL blessed with charms OF face and
figure, and the men, good-looking. while
the stage settings are decidedly effective.
OF course last evening there were some
faults that naturally present themselves
in first production, prominently among
them being the length. for II was about
l:40 when the curtain fell on the last
act. There appears 10 be at times a SUI
perabundance OF unnecessary dialogue.
while the same effect could be obtained
with less. but this VIII undoubtedly be
soon remeded and the piece, In short or
der reach that state OF perfection that
cannot fail to please even the most ex-
acting audience.
The story centres itself about one ha-
rum-scarum maiden Lady Betty Franz
lingham. daughter OF the Marquis OF
Framlingham. interpreted by Miss Madge
Crichton and Trooper Smith (really Oraya
Brown very wealthy young English
man. OF the Doncherknow Variety, played
by Mr.. Joseph Coyne, OF "Oh-Look
Who's-Here" fame. Trooper Smith some
how gets into the army and for some rea-
son has secured the enmity of one Comte
Manuela De Colonna who is hot-toot for
Browns blood. Lady Betty gives gar
den party and dance to a regiment against
her fathers wishes and has her dearest
friend Gwenny Holden impersonate her.
Trooper Smith appears on the scene and
learns that the lood-thirsty count Is on
his trail and TO save himself from possi-
BILE death, assumes the role Of butler,
which also makes him deserter.
There appears on the scene an adventur-
er In the person OF stony Stratford. who
wants either 10 marry Lady Betty or rob
the house-he don't care which; he poses
as Oraya Brown much 10 the discontinue
OF the real Brown. stratford finally finds
that Lady Betty has been playing the
part OF a maid and proceeds 10 offer ms
heart and hand To a number of them, but
| don't find the right one.
lit decides 10 resort TO crooked meanS
| TO make some sort Of haul tried to
| make a conhdant and accomplice OF the
| butler and disclosures follow i'm which the
| true identity of Trooper Smith, alias
the butler. Is made known: he gets the
girl OF his choice Lady Betty, and every
thing straghtens itself out as IL should.
As 10 the members OF the cast they are
as well placed as seemingly they could
possibly be. Mr.. Joseph Coyne. as Trooper
smith. Is undoubtedly the star Of the piece
and never before has he had part that
gave him the opportunity as I'm MY
Tady's Maid-to say that he fits the part
and that it fits him and that he handles
il as only he could handle it, would be
putting Il mildly. His Interpretation OF
the English dandy is the quintessence of
perfection; he has a manner all his own
and there wasn't a moment last night
while he was on the stage that the audi
ence was not enjoying him. Much favor
as Corporal Ham, the diminutiVe SIDE
partner OF Trooper Smith, and his facial
expression and his preambulations were
source Of merriment 10 the audience. Mr..
Henry Bergman. as Comte de Colonna,
was excellent. giving a delightfully."- real
istic movement and voice picture OF
efferescent foreigner. Mr.. Walter T.. Per-
kins, as Posh jenkins, pal of stony
Stratford was clever I'm a small part,
while Robert T.. Graham, as Stratford,
made all there was out of his lines Mr..
Frank Rushworth. as Capt Harrington.
filed his part I'm n capable manner and
his singing was well received.
Among the opposite sex the one who at
once won her way into the good grace OF
the audience was Miss Madee Crichton in
the title role OF Lady Betty. She has
captiva ting. even hypnotic personality
not a strong voice, but "A sweet one and
above all she is free from affectaton. Her
acting is deliciously natural Closely fol-
lnMing her in meritand popularity u Miss
Elsa Ryan, as Susan, the maid. She is
sweet, petite, graceful and certainly
knows how TO sing her songs I'm way
that brings out the points I'm them. Miss
Della Mason, as Evenny Holden, was very
satisfactory, as was also Miss Edith Blair
in a small part.
All i'm all, MY Lady's Maid" is a charm
ing production and the Shuberts are TO
be congratulated upon having so excellent
a musical production, which, IL is report
ed, will soon take the place Of The So
cial Whirl" i'm New York city.
II was repeated this afternoon, and to-
night will close its Providence engage