The Washington herald., 1907-11-05
The CoIumbia-"Tom Jones.s

The artistic superiority Of legitimate
comic opera over the more modern form
OF light musical play was again made
manifest at the Columbia Theater last
night. when Henry w Savage's produc-
ton of 81 ON Jones was presented for the
first time in this city, before a large and
fashionable audience.
In It we have everything which serves
to make up an agreeable form of musical
diversion. a romantic story adapted from
Fielding's celebrated novel. good healthy
comedy, some broad and some character
/ istic. plenty of music, some simple and
some pretentiOus. a fne company. and a
lavish expenditure in the matter OF pro-
duction. Especially effective is the music
by Edward German. running the gamut Of
the most pleasing forms OF vocal numbers.
which have already carried interest with
the best class Of comic opera. In keeping
with the atmosphere OF the play. he has
made It abound with ballads, roundelays.
hunting and drinking songs. which for a
century or more have brought delight 10
people of English kiaship. Some OF the
most interesting episodes of the original
story have been used by Chas. II. Taylor,
and the comedy carries us along merrily
with its quaint old West Country charac-
ters and the atmosphere OF the earlier
Georgian period is continually sufficient 10
lend the effect OF romance. To make the
description more concrete would perhaps
be TO say that II Is the best musical thing
which has arrived so far this year. and IS
a distinct relief from the long string of
musical comedies.
The major part OF the musical pleasure
is derived from the singing Of Louise
Cunning, as Sophie Western. Her fine
soprano voice is in superb condition and
her method has all the characteristics
which come from skillful training and per-
sOnal intelligence. She easily dominated
the cast. and certainly gave great pleas
ure by her rendition Of ''I Wonder"
Dream O. Day. Jill," and brought her
success to a climax with the delightful
waltz song, 'Beguile. Beguile with Music
Sweet"
Mr. Van Rensselaer, Wheeler Is suited.
both in vocal and acting qualities. to the
role Of the scapegrace hero, Tom Jones.
His acting gives evidence of a clear com
prehension Of the character. while his
somewhat light but pleasing. barytone is
effective in West Country Lad" Here's
numbers. Miss Gertrude Quinlan, as the
maid, Honour, contributed a great deal
Of quaint feminine and comedy. and her
song. 'All for q Green Ribbon" with the
male chorus, constituted one of the most
telling numbers OF the opera
Mt William Norris ofFiciates as Benja-
min Partridge, the village barber and
leech. His comedy is OF the eccentric
variety, accompanied with some truly re-
markable dancing His roundelay, king
Neptune" with the assistance Of the
chorus, aroused great mirth and furnished
example OF fine rendition of a difficult
form of composition. Henry Norman
gave an interesting impersonation OF the
fine old English gentleman" SQUIRE
Western. and was ably abetted by his
henchmen, John Bunny. as Gregory; Ber-
nard Gurey. as Grizzle and Charles
Horne, as Dobbin
The chorus is large numerically and
vocally getting a rousng effect In most
OF the ensemble numbers and the aug
mented orchestra was very efficient The
opera will undoubtedly please all who
cling to the traditions of the purer forms
Of light music and comedy and abhor the
reminiscent strains and vulgar comedy
clap-trap which have lately been rampant.