The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-09
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE


At the opera house for the balance Of
the week, with matinees Wednesday and
Saturday. genial Peter f. DALEY will be
seen In THE Press Agent" book by Mark
K. Swan and John Il. Wilson but the
program don't throw any light upon who
Is responsible for the music.
Mr.. Daley needs no Introduction TO the
theatre going public. and his Weber and
Fields reputation has followed him I'M
fortunately for several seasons he has
not had play that exactly fitted his par
ticular style of humor and fun making.
but II Is safe TO state that in THE Press
Agent he has hit upon a musical effusion
with himself as the central symphony In
green that will entertain and satisfy.
In the comparison OF the book and the
music the former suffers, for there IS
really some catchy songs and melodies
running through the two acts-the kind
one would whistle or hum afterwards or,
rather endeavor 20 do so; In short and in
truth. the music was decidedly better than
was expected.
The story. or the plot. is just the kind
one would expect 10 find with Daley as a
central figure filibustering expedition
10 Concarne. wherever that is, forms the
basis for the action. and the hero, one
Benton Scoops, a press agent, portrayed
by Mr.. Daley, gets mixed up with the
affair and eventually arrives at Concarne.
where the insurrection don't pan out,
much TO the disgust OF Scoops, who is
looking for something doing" The book
is rather a tame affair-it has its bright
situations. OF course, but on the whole II
Is the ensemble songs and dances, COM
bined with the pers onality Of Mr.. Daley,
that makes the piece. There is, however.
an exaggerated mock seriousness about
some OF the situations both in the first
act, when the party starts by ship for
Concarne. and In the second act. which
shows them working up the insurrec-
tion in the South American city, that
causes laughter.
One has TO keep wide awake and on
the qui vive TO get the full benefit OF
Daley humor. He is a rapid talker bor-
dering on the fiippant. and he don't wait
a minute for an audience 10 see the point
OF his lines. He is not a comedian nor
does he act-he's simply himself and his
humor is OF the spontaneous kind-just
as IL he were talking to you alone. as It
were.
He knows how TO sing-not a grand
opera voice. you know. but he has the
knack, IL might be said. OF knowing the
way 10 bring out the points in q topical
song. The tuneful Alexis From Texas"
sung by a decidedly lively bevy OF cow
girls, led by Mr.. Daley, was applaudingly
received as was the satirical song, THE
Slmple I>lfe, ana trittnful story IN verse
OF Nothing New Beneath the Sun"
The supporting company Is an excel
lent one in every respect. while the cho-
rus both male and female, shows the
effect OF careful training. speaking most
highly for Mr.. Burnside. the director
Among the principals. Miss Kate Con-
don as Dolores Ysuage. and Miss Isobel
Hall as Dolly Dashington. Mr.. Toby
Lyons as Bunny Hare, are entitled 10
much favorable comment. Miss Condor
has a rich contralto voice and has pleas
ing personality. and sings "Concarne. My
Concarne" especially WELL as she did her
other numbers. although suffering evil
IDENTIFY from a slight cold.
Miss Hall is vivacious and charm
ing and used her soprano voice with
good effect, while Nr. Lyons did a
whole lot 10 brighten up the piece
by his antics, both while Mr.. Daley
was on and of the stage. Mr. Charles
II. Bowers as Francis Seabrooke did ac-
ceptably well, and his tenor while not
strong or especially sweet. was very well
received
All in all THE Press Agent" will please
the average audience-the music catchy,
the chorus Of fine voice and, especially
the feminine portion OF IL. good to look
upon: the principals are we'll placed. of
course Mr. Daley is inimitable. and the
scenic pictures OF both acts are attractive
TO the eye.
For anyone who desires a few hours of
fun and don't expect too much, The
Press Agent" will ht like a glove.