Arizona republican., 1908-02-25
IHE BfAUIIFUL MUSIC
 OF WOODLAND PLFASES
As Does the Uniquely Costumed Gem pany Which Presented 1t.

Woodland last night at the Doris opera house was accorded the most enthusiastic reception, for it was a production which filled long felt want among the theater goers of Phoe- nix. Its enrrancingly sweet melodies. its beautiful choruses, Quartettes, triOs, duets and solos will long be remem- bered and finger graciously in the ear. The verdict of the public might be thus tersely expressed in the language of the street, Ut was the best thing which has struck this town"
 The plot in "Woodland' is not es- Sential, though there is a sufficient thread of heart interest to make it en- tirely acceptable to the most eXacting. The production itself is unique, bring ing into play d variety of singularly effective poses, ensembles, tricks of acting, and above all most fantastic cOstuming for the entire personnel of the company. Georgeous might be the word. But still it can not be said to have been so gorgeous as to be devoid of the airy. ethereal. fairy texture, woven happily in extreme appropriate ness to the sprightly music, the atmos- phere of the gardens of the outdoors. and the prettiness of the bewildering girls. of which there were any number.
 The scenic features of Woodland" were as might be expected entirely representation of the forest, the grove with its song birds and its wild flowers and it's rustic bowers and messy up- lifts of stone. Placed in such an en- inently fitting environmen; a bevy of doves. peacOcks. canaries, blackbirds, saHd all the rest, with just enough feathers, to reveal their dainty grace fitness of figure, one might with little reach of imagination be transported into elysium realms of poetic dreams, forgetting for the while the world and its inharmonious din. However this bit of neCromancy would never have been accomplished by these dimpling magi- clans. had not they possessed the re- quisite voices of quality and training, as they did in measure that was highly gratifying. Otherwise the illu- sions would have been rudely broken.
 Speaking of the chOrUses, enlisting the voices of the entire company. the lovely harmonies of PiXley and Luder's musical fantasy. were rendered with a fine unison of the parts, blended and floated on the orchestral current with pleasing effects. Of the soloists, Eliz- abeth Spencer, Lady Peacock pos sessed a rich strong soprano and showed excellent ability Tn the blend irrg of speech and song in her very popular number Society" Hazel Cox Prince Eagle" and Mary Quive. Miss Nightingale" sang notably and were accorded hearty applause. Perhaps the familiar melody The Tale of the Turtle Dove" by Constance Farmer, received the greatest ovation. and cer- tainly the conception of the setting could not have been more artistic. Miss Farmer sang with repeated sue cess.
 Jenny Wren and the chorus of black birds too were immensely popular. The company Was well balanced also with male voices Of volume. Passing from that which distinguishes Woodland" to the comic that adds a bit of spice aside from the vivacity imparted by the grove of birds, Dwight Allen, General Rooster" was given ample opportunity for merriment producing feats as the barTyard king, in which
 
 the Blue Jay" Woodlands humor is not cOnvulsively funny. but it was good, clean and wholesome. and though some of the jokes were a little aged, yet d youthfulness was given them by the situations which were new. where they were fnterpOlaJed.
 The production was a lavish and memorable success. It drew crowd ed house which proves that Phoenix has sufficient number of discerning and appreCiative theater-goe to war rant the bringing Of such stellar com panies as presented Woodland" to the city. The popular taste this winter mas been elevated to a great degree by i the character of plays seen here. so that no longer can the slap stick com l "dy, the unmoritorious melodrama. or i the slipshod executed production win l much attention or a very large audi ! ence. 1,
 Hercules Mercantile CO. closing out i