Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
The Foreign Stage.
pecial From a STAFF Correspondent.

Special From a STAFF Correspondent.
| LONDON, October 3. "They have
aroused me, at last" declared George Ed
wardes in the course of a somewhat fiery
interview the other day, land I assure you
| they are going to find me an uncommonly
nasty customer"
| AS perhaps may be inferred. the they"
| alluded to thus threateningly by the genius
of London musical comedy are no others
than the London representatives of the
American theatrical trust These alert RI
walls have been making things decidedly
| warm of late for the renowned genius of
London musical comedy-who. up to a COM
paratively short time ago, had things pretty
much his own way-and he has been wax
ing more and more bitter against them. and
particularly against their leader, Charles
Frohman.
MIR, Edwardes' complaint. it may be re-
membered, Is that Mr.. Frohman makes a
continual practice of tempting his actors
to leave him by the promise of gittering
salaries, and, although the American re-
torts that the methods thus used are those
of legitimate comp etition, the fact remains
that artist after artist has been won away
from the aiety and Days. Accordingly
now that the manager of those two theaters
is, as he says, thoroughly aroused. and
eager for reprisals Londoners are waiting
with curiosity for the opening gun of the
battle that appears to be coming in the
musical comedy world here.
Meanwhile the ire of Edwardes has
been awakened still further by the re-
cent loss of Maurice Farkoa-coming, as
1t does. as sequel to the capture by
Frohman of Huntley Wright. Seymour
Hicks, Ellaine Terriss, Marie Temp est
and whole crowd of other people, all of
whom, to begin with. were shining lights
at either the London Gaiety or the Lon
of 10 a
Frenchman and already has been seen in
the United States in Three Little Maids"
He has been with Edwardes for more
than five years, and is, in fact playing at
present in that managers production of
the Chinese opera, 'See-See, at the
Prince % Wales Theater.
So, considering that Edwardes has for
mally declared war upon his American
rivals, 1t is interesting to ask what will
be his weapons in the impending fray,
or. in other words, what attractions he
is now preparing with the object of re-
gaining his seriously disputed supremacy
in the London world of musical comedy.
Evidently this veteran manager is going
to be as good as his word and make
lively tight for the premier position. for
although he has just determined to re-
duce the number of his"playhouses under
his control to two hereafter, the shows"
destined for these houses are unques-
tionably calculated to make his oppo-
nents sit up and take notice.
One of them, the new piece at the Gaiety,
WI have seen the light before this letter
is published and unless the New Aladdin
as it is called, disappoints expectations it
Will be as sumptuous, tGneful and amusing
an ENTERTAINMENT as London has seen of
late years. Probably, too, this piece which
has engaged the talents OF no less than six
writers and two composers Kill be seen in
the United States before many months have
gone by, but In the meantime i. is not upon
The New Aladdin that It's producer Is
relying chiefly for success in his approach
ing trial of strength with his transatlantic
rivals.
The piece which Edwardes regards as his
trump card Is Les Merveilleuses," the
comic opera by no less a person than Sar-
dou himself, which Is to be produced at
Days with gorgeous setting and an all
star" company some time during the COM
ing month. The book which was written
by NJ. Sardou several months ago, has been
adapted into English by Basil Hood, while
the lyrics are by Adrian Ross and the
music by NJ. Hugo Felix. whose Viennese
opera, THE Jolly Widow" Is also to be pro-
duced In London by George Edwardes. The
"Merveilleuses'' of the new operas title are
the great ladies of the French directorate,
and needless to say that period has given
no end of opportunities to the scenic artists,
not to mention the renowned Daily cos
tumiereS.
1t is not impossible that ,the toilets worn
by the heroine and her attendant danes
may make q mild sensation, for, as every
one knows, the costumes of the court ladies
Of the directorate period were characterized
chiefly by their exceeding frankness. In
Sardou's opera some of "les merveilleuses''
narrowly escaped being ducked in a foun-
tain by crowd Of the common people,
whose notions of decorum their scanty at
ere has seriously outraged. Incidentally
the French author tells the story of gal
liant officer whose wife Is forcibly divorced
from him during his absence at the wars,
and handed over to st. Amour.