The Washington herald., 1907-05-28
Last Night at the PlayhouseS
The New NationnI-0pening of the
Comic Opern Season.

The New NationnI-Opening of the
Comic Opera Season.
That stock comic opera at the New
National Theater Is to prove one Of the
most popular of summer entertainments
ever brought TO Washington, there can
be little doubt after the wonderful recep-
ton accorded TO the AbOrn Opera Com
pany on its first appearance last night.
Not only was the audience one that
tested the capacity Of the house. but it
was an audience fairly representative OF
the best theatergOers In Washington.
That these will be steady patrons Of the
company's productions is evidenced by
the fact that the sale of season tickets
has already reached proportions large
enough to guarantee the biggest kind Of
success.
1t was good 10 see that good, old comic
opera Robin Hood" again Since Regi-
naId De Koven wrote tie music and Harry
b. Smith the book, many years ago, both
have turned out many works for the
comic opera field, but il is doubtful
whether in construction, beauty Of the
airs or Wit of the dialogue either of
them has surpassed this early work II
is perennial in its interest The old bus
iness the good old lines and qulps ami
puns brought forth as many hearty
laughs as IN the days Of old and through
out the performance the applause was in
sistent
The company which presented robin
Hood" last night and which. with few
additions. perhaps. during the season, viii
put on the other old favoriJes, is a most
excellent one II shows the effect Of thor
ough drill and skilled training: it is pret-
tily c0stUmed, its ensembles are we'll
handled and the large chorus Is composed
Of pretty girls, who have voices and who
know how to use them
The principals of the company are de-
serving OF all praise There is Old George
B. rockingham not the leader Of the
company, but one in whom there Is. per
haps, the most interest. because of his
long connection with the original Bos-
tonians He IS st.ll playing his old part OF
FTiCr Tuck, that IoiiiCking, red-uOsed
priest who Is never without q thirst or a
jest. and is ever ready to dance with
nimbia heels. He seems 90 eater into the
part with the zest ard enjoyment Of
youth. ana he has inteTp0lated some bi.s
of comedy business that get many a
hearty laugh.
Albert Parr. who has often been heard
here I'm comic opera. has the leading part.
Robin Hood lie suits it admirably O.,
makes the part suit him. Physically, be
looks the part, and be has a fine tenor
voice OF clear and musical quality j
showed O. great advantage in The Ar
morers Song" which was most heartily
enc0red. Miss Estelle Wentworth. the
prima donna Of the new company. has
q clarion soprano voice. and Ia the duet
with Mr. Parr, "Our Dream is True. "
she first had q chance to display its wide
range and magnetic power. Miss Went
worth is a Washl1gtouian. She had many
friends In the audience last night. who
applauded her most heartily, and she was
the recipient Of some handsome bouquets.
Edith Bradford. the contralt0 did some
very clever work. To her lot falls. OF
course. the song that Jessie Bartlett Da-
Wis made famous. 20 Promise Ne" and
she sang IL with effect Excellent acting
and singing was done By Agnes stone. as
Dame burden. and Harry Dale. as Guy
of Gisbourne.
The opera was handsomely staged AMI
mounted. The light effects were admir-
ably managed and altogether the per-
formange was one rrr.iteble 10 every
one engaged Robin H0od" will con-
tiaue ell the week. with the usual mat
inees and a special matinee on DecOra-
ton Day