Evening star., 1907-11-05
T HE TIL HE AT E R.
Columbia.

In order to derive the greatest possible
enjoyment from Tom Jones'" Mr.. Henry
Savage's latest importation. 1t is necessary
to regard it chiefly as a musical creation
| IT is advertised as a comic opera but it
might have been with equal propriety
designated as a romantic opera. for the
humorous element is entirely subordinated
and the havoc with hearts and reputa tions
is at times little less than tragic The pro-
gram Is, after the manner of London
adorned with many names in connection
with the authorship of the piece. There is
but one composer. Mr.. Edward German
and he, in conjunction with the deceased
writer Of the lyrics, Charles II. Taylor.
contributes the real substance of the
work The dialogue is not infrequently a
perilously fragile bridge across a yawning
chasm of unintereSt and a wish cannot be
stified that the musical aspect of the work
had not been further emphasized by the
employment of recitative. I ere is in al
most every number a sturdy old English
quality that sends a responsive ripple
through the percentage of Anglo Saxon
blood that goes plodding through the
veins of most of US.
The stage management fortified as it is
by unlimited resources of costuming and
scenery and with great cohorts of chOris
ters at command attainS effects which
charmingly enhance the substantial ex
ceience of Mr.. Germans music and the
There is not musical number which did
not call for repetition.
The chief respons bility of the perform
ance rests upon Miss Louise Cunning
WHO acquitted herself brilliantly. A beau
tifUl picture she made as the heroine and
her singing was TIE feature of the per-
formance which did most in atoning for
the mewhat ponderous p. .-e of the dra
matte action. The interest of the story
depends upon the love offairs of the hero
inc Miss Cunning impersonates. The title
role is assumed by Vanrensselaer Wheeler
who contributed competent vocal assist
ance whenever it was required of him.
Mr.. William Norris conducts a little
comic opera of his own. Occasionally its
action interlaced with that of the love
story, but it soon got off to itself again.
and left Mr. Norris in genial and crafty
ing possession of the center of the stage.
The character that plays opposite to Mr..
Norris is not mentioned in the program
1t might be called Lizzie, the Leech." for
ii is the favorite who has escaped from
the little menagerie he carries in glass
bottle. in his capacity of village barber
and surgeon. His constant quest of this
leech is humOr broad and convincing. The
manner in which Mr.. Norris. at the end
Of the second act. comes to the footlights
with his own little imaginary troop. and
ignoring the great climax. both of plo:
and music, takes possession of the scene
is ludcrous from every possible point of
view MI he1lIy Norman ldSt hisHt was
a vociferous drunken father John
Bunny had little to do, but did it so we'll
that his role became pleasantly consp:cu-
Gus. Miss Quinlan was the pert maid with
out whom no comedy of Old English man
ners is complete. Miss Laurs. Butler was
not only figure of great beauty as the
lady of quality, but played the part most
acceptably.
The work was admirably sung, if not
always well acted, and the stage pictures
in many cases marvels of picturesque in
genuity.