New-York tribune., 1907-11-12
TON JONES" At l1STOR.
Musical adaptation of F5eIding's S
NoUeI PIeases Big audience.

The first New York presentation OF Tom Jones'"
an English comic opera based Henry Fieldng's
novel Of that name, made at the Astor Theatre
last night The house. filed with the exception Of
the upper boxes applauded until az the end OF the
second act. Edward German. the composer, and
Robert Courtneidge, who colaborated on the book
with a. NJ Thompson. were called out
The production. In three acts. took up the love
story OF Tom Jones with Squire Westerns daugh-
ter. Sophia and condensed Toms lesser and less
puritaucal affairs to that with Lady Bellaston
The first act deals with Toms disinheritance by Mr.
Anworthy and the quarrel OF Sophia with her
father because OF her love FOR Tom. The second
act is laid In the inn al Upton where Sophia finds
Tom with Lady Bellaston. The last act rounds up
the story with the reconciliation OF Tom and Sophia
in Ranelash Gardens.
Whether not ali the audience remembered
Fieldings story well. the adaptation OF II appeared
10 be appreciated. and the eighteenth century play
ing with easy Latin phrases accounted for several
laughs. Van Rensselaer, Wheeler was Tom Miss
Louise Cunning late OF The White Hen and
brought from tie Snuberts by Mr. Savage
for this play was SopIia- Gertrude Qunlan, who
the waitress In The College Widow" was
logged out II Eer modlste had carefully studied
HoGarth 10 make ser costume as Honour. Sophia
maid.
In the inn scene William Norris began really 20
busy himself into the foreground Benjamin
Partridge. the village barber. He received great
greeting, and noboG/ seemed 70 sympathize with
him for the sad loss OF Lizzie. the only Inhabtant
OF his pet Jar OF leeches that had abandoned him.
Sho made her escape when the versatile barber
ran afoul OF SQuirs Western CHenry Norman)
The cast larse and the serving maids. VIII
laEe girls and ladIe. seemed TO fl! the stage with
the wide skirts and hats OF the period Among
those In the cast We're John Bunny. Gregory.
a servant; Albert Pcllaton Mr.. Auworthy; Vaughn
Trevor, BlihI. Laura Butler. Lady Bellaston. I'd
Florence Burdett the hostess at the Inn.
The composer OF tho music OF Tom Jones" has
won enviabie place among British Compos,
by his work in several fields His incidental
music for Richard IT. and Henry VIII"-es-
pecialy IS dances for the latter drama-has
been found worthy Of removal from the theatre
20 the concert stage Some OF its charm was
heard again last night
and this will probably stand him In good stead
when a Welsh rhapsody for orchestra VIII be
performed In Carnegie Hall under his direction
at a concert OF the Symphony Society. Mr.. Ger
man is q Welsnman and he writes good, sound.
ringing English music, according to the formulas
OF the English school exemplifed IN the operet-
tas OF Arthur Sullivan. 1t is music which
mands respect which people With good taste
listen TO without being ashamed. lie IS not elo
quent IN the expression OF the tender passion. and
never falls into tine wshy-washy style OF the senti-
mental ballad. There is health always in his
music. and its good qualities admirably
brought forward In the performance, especially by
Miss Cunning. Mr.. Wheeler and the chorus. Mr..
Savage IS setting a high musical standard for
operetta. ana thereby working for good.