The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-14
Amusenlents
awooa,ana' at The Grand TAsatre.

aWoodsmnds at The Grand Theatre.
 "Woodland." a forest fable of the birds of the air. with the personince- tions of ,Aesop. softened by the sWeeeel lore of childhood's song and story, was fold in harmony with dulcet melody ana in scenes of sylvan loveiiness Frluay night at The Grand Theatre Almost . whole house-full listened to the teil- ing. and the clever narrative. whetner related in music or dialogue, py preteS players and stalwart actors. was Ap- pIauded as an entrancing tale.
 The piece had not before oeeh pus o,, ~, in Montgomery. It had oniy peeh talked about. So many went to sec they saw, and were satisfied; and, more, thev were delighted Its music was gently expressive of the dainty theme of inc play; the characters were DOT fraved with charming ingenuity or con ceut:on and costume; the settings eiaD crate and beautiful. In It's entirety H was excellent. IA. subeeouent execution afford example or A nice distinction. Gelett Burgess draws a line between fancy ana in- aRtnatfon; the distinction becomes ssVoodland," as in some others or the fabuIous pieces that have been nlaue within the past few years. positive difference Fancy inspires the inven- ton of the story; imagination IS the bond-servant that slowly, line by line scene by scene, and act by act, makes cut the whole play Once the fairly like tale Is plotted and It's telling be- gun. spontaneity' is lost. The dia- iogue of "Wood.and" is not dull; neither Is 1t witty; it is humorous to order at times almost labored; once or twice lt smacked of age.
 Yet that defect did not destroy It's had fnn many merits of high order to permit com parative inferiority in one regard to spoil 1t notably.
 The story: Prince Eagle, heir to the throne of Woodland, denies his ta- ther's request that he marry Lady Pea- cock, and Is banished. The Prince IS in love with Miss Nightingale. who waits for him. Out of an egg that is supposed to produce Tyre Bird for diplomat the comes Blue Jay. tramp polit ;cian. Who after the accidental killing of the King, becomes monarch of Woodland. There are plots and counter-plots, including at the last a singing contest, at which Blue Jay IS to select his queen. In the midst, Prince Eagle returns, by a happy coup detat, becomes King, and makes MISS Nightingale hss bride.
 Mary Quive. as Miss Nightingale. was easily the best of the performers. MISS ouive possesses a voice notably good, especially in what, fantastic though it be- may properly be clasSed as mu- sicaI comedy. Though once or twice she aroused suspicion that her voice had its limitations, 1t not only was adequate to the role. but sweet, clear and of good volume. As her opposite was Hazel Cox, playing Prince Eagle, Miss Cox sang well, her voice being of admirable sweetness. Her acting was not thoroughly easy, but was sufficient. | Constance Farmer, as Miss Turtle Dove | was extremely pretty and graceful and l her musical efforts satisfactory. Leila l smith played Jenny wrenn with charm [ ing spirit and effectiveness. Elizabeth 1 Spencer as Lady Peacock was pleas ing.
 George W. Leslie. as Blue Jay. and l Dwight Allcn as General Rooster. were ! adequate in parts that were not scin- | tillant. The dra wing of the characters ! had been made with individuality of | sufficient degree. but as has been sug- gested, there was no VcrYe, no quicken 1 ing spirit in them. Mir. Leslie and MT l Allen played very well, yet with nc great show of originality. Ernest O. 1 Fisher, as King Eagle; Henry Benham
 as Robin Redbreast; Henry A. Barrows
 as Judge Owl. and James c. Burt, a'
 pr. Raven. played effectively.
 l An admirable feature of the perform
 ance was a dance by Maybelle Jonei | end AIonzo Price. Miss Jones dis played much grace and agility and hei l work even In the choral dances wal | easily notable
 The chorus girls were numerous ana | pretty. and they. like the men of ths | chorus, sang exceptionally well.
 | Frank Pixley and Gustav Luderi