Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-12
A N U S E N E N T S.
Belasco.

legitimate comic opera, the first IN
years to show any signs OF robust VI
tally, was unexpectedly brought to at
tention at the Belasco Theater last night.
''The Belle of Brittany" with it's brisk,
alliterative title and it's reputation OF sue
cess abroad, promised at best to be a
more than ordinarily attractive specimen
OF the musical comedy tribe. The pres
ence of Frank Daniels as the leadlng
comedy light of the organization empha-
sized expectations of another current con-
lection of familiar materials. for Mr.
daniels, while a funmaker of unfaliing
capacities, has not in some time SHOWN
any and deep self-sacrifcing af1ectlon Tor
legitimate stage creations. But all signs
failed. BY forsaking a hysterical quest
for something startling and selecting.
what was a conventional model so long
ago that it has been forgotten the little
operetta impresses itself as a work Of dis
tinct novelty.
When the curtain arose it revealed as
merry a group of villagers as ever graced
a Chimes of Normandy production.
Here, too. was the young woman. once
so dear to our hearts, but almost 1or-
gotten, whose parents had planned a mar
with her own preferences and who. after
much melodious plotting. finds way
to the marriage of her own choice. Ana
the legend song-it is one of the indlspen-
sable traits by which the nutritious legitl-
mate operate mushroom is distinguished
from the toadstool of musical comedy
This time it Is about trystlng tree; ana
it is related with all the convincing charm
which verse and melody can lend. In
order to remove all possible skepticism
the TRUSTING tree is put in evidence, care
fully followed out by an obhging stage
carpenter like massive hall chair, so
that young men and women VINO meet
there for the first time can sit In COM
fnr nd monastery
sound the matrimonial prophecy which
under such circumstances, their chimes
imply.
After the first few musical numbers are
heard, with the choruses catching up a
phrase here and there from the Soloist
with divers gestures Of piquant emphasis
another distinctive touch of legitimate
comic opera-the auditor is likely to DRIFT
into state of comfortable content, feel
ing that even If there is no better to come
the maintenance of present standards Will
guarantee an evening of diversion. But
the material improves as the work prog
resses and each time the orchestra leader
brings his instrumentalists to attention by
the tap of his baton it is the signal for
some dainty surprise. The question OF
how much physical exertion a chorus can
stand without dropping in utter eX-
haustion is not introduced in The Belle
of Brittany The numbers are sung with
grace and spirit and the chorus accentu-
ates the dominant idea of a song by ap-
propriate side play instead of detracting
from it by an incoherent display of eX-
travagant calisthenics.
The vocal merit essential to a real
comic opera is supplied by Miss Winnie
O'Connor. Not one of her songs missed
the approval of an audience that mad as
sembled less with the expectation of be-
ing delighted by operate proficiencies than
Of enjoying an evening of hearty laugh
ter with Mr.. Daniels. Miss Elsa Ryan is
sprightly and entertaining figure,
whether clad in a white gown. black
apron and white stockings or a black
gown, white apron and black stockings.
Miss Ryan wears rhinestone garter
buckle which appears to be getting on her
mind. Miss Daisy Dumont has role OF
stately grace and sings a song in the sec
ond act about country mice and town
mice" which wins numerous encores.
AS BELTS comic opera, there are many
comedians. Each male character is more
or less a travesty on some phase of hui
man nature. But Frank Daniels. the'wee
man with the Sunday supplement face
the cherished hero of SO many hilarious
adventures in the realms of foot!tght
fiction, reigns supreme whenever he holds
up his hand with serene authority and
bids the action of the play pause while
he delivers a monolOgue.
1.-THE Belle of Brittany is not show
girl show. II Is a comic opera that is
both comic and operate.