The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-11-29
News of Theatres
"Merry Widow" at Louisville.

WnlCn VIII De presented with Iull
orchestra and large chorus at The
Kentucky, Saturday matinee and
might, the Louisville Herald of Fri
day said:
1.-The Merry Widow came back
for her third visit to Louisville yes
terday, and received most fiattering
welcome at the holiday matinee and
evening performance. Packed houses
|applaudeG to the echo the charming
music, that seems to grow more en-
financing with every hearing, and en-
cored unwearingly the beautiful song
numbers, to be answered by as un-
wearylng responses.
"The present company, which
comprises most of the original New
York cast, is strong and competent
throughout, and gave a delightful
rendition of the operetta with unnag-
ging spirit through its three strenu-
Gus acts. Miss Frances Cameron, as
Sonia, the Merry Widow, appeared to
even better advantage than when
seen here on a former occasion, and
Prince Danilo, her dashing and domi-
neering admirer, was effectively por-
trayed b. Charles Meakins. Robert
f. Graham, as Popoff, and John
Thomas, as Nish, took care of the
comedy in good style, and furnished
unfailing diversion whenever on the
stage.
"The acts were staged with lavish
disregard of expense, and the cos
tunes have lost none OF their extrava-
CANT beauty through frequent use"
The Post says:
The Merry Widow danced and
sang her joyous way to the strains Of
Lehar's fascinating music at Macau-
ley's yesterday to two big Thanks
giving audiences and proved to be
as captivating as when first she set
the world awaiting.
"The success of 'The Merry Widow
depends solely upon the abilities of
the artists who play Sonia and Prince
Danilo. II either falls below the
standard the opera Is marred.
"In the present company Frances
Cameron as the widow and Charles
Meakins as the prince are fully equal
to the demands of these strenuous
roles. Miss Cameron is the emboei-
ment of the lissome lady from Mar
sovla. She dances with gypsy grace
and witchery, and her voice, while
showing the effects of strain, is esec-
tive where most needed.
Charles Meakins is dashing
prince and fully realizes the young
blade who pursues the widow along
the primrose path that leads through
Maxim's. Robert Z. Graham as Pop
off, the ambassador, is excellent and
affords an even greater degree of
than could be expected. John
as Nish is an able ally.
"The orchestra, which IL such
necessary adjunct of The Merry
Widow deserves fits full share of
credit, and the chorus has been well
selected. The costumes and the stag
ing sustain Mr.. Savage's reputation
for liberal and artistic presentations"
The Courier-Journal says:
The Merry Widow the most
popular musical comedy of recent
years, and, because of the quality of
Franz Lchar's music, deservedly so,
opened a half-week engagement at
Macauley's with a special Thanksgiv-
ing mat,lee yesterday. There have
been musical comedies since the Gil
bert and Sullivan comic operas, with
books and lyrics superior to the con-
tributions of Victor Leon, Leo Stein
and Adrian Ross to the Viennese
operetta Die Lustige Witwe,' but
there have been none Boosting such
good orchestral music. Lehar's COM
positions suggest the work of Johann
Strauss rather than that of any other
composer of modern times.
1.-THE company appearing at Ma
Is headed by Frances Came
ron as Sonia, and Charles Meakins
Is Prince Danilo. Both OF the lead
ng roleS require more dancing and
lcting than singing, and both of the
principles are well qualified in these
essentials. Miss Cameron has arch
less and friyols convincingly. She
possesses a high degree of grace i'm
Iancing Mr.. Meakins Is a manly
ooking Danilo and enacts his role
With sufficient verve to make II at
ractive. Anna Bussart, as Natalie,
would increase the value of her con-
to the gayety.
THE three scenes are well staged,
nd the girls of the company are
rettler than the majority OF the
horus girls and show girls who tour
he provinces. They are well cos
umed and, to employ the parlance
I the stage, good workers. Robert
J. Graham, of the old guard in comic |
pera, amuses his audiences as Pop