The Washington times., 1909-05-18
The Highwayman' Is Well
Received at National
Theater This Week.
Aborn Opera Company
Maintains Standard in
Singing and Acting.

That hoary, sarcastic saying about be-
ing about as welcome as a burglar is
completely reversed at the National
Theater when THE Highwayman" is
being presented this week.
while Nshat popular playhouse is ret
overrun with band of desperate
thieves the very center of action is in
highwayman whose ultimate object,
after all, is the same as that of a burg
lar, but the difference is that where a
burglar IS repealed with violence the
highwayman in this case is accorded a
most hearty welcome
The standard of efficiency which last
year won for the AbOrn Opera Com
pany an undeniable place in the good
graces OF summer theatergoers is well
maintained in the current Offering.
II the reception Smith and de KOveu's
"HighWayman'' received last night may
be taken a criterion ii is still favored
by a large proportion by the devotees
OF that style of show.
The rough spots and lack of smooth
neSs-noticeable Immediately after the
opening of the third act-incident to all
bills that are changed weekly, had not
been completely eliminated in the show
last night. but, on the whole, it went off
in rather good shape.
When Milton and Sargent Aborn COM
menced to recruit the talent for the
present engagement they we're deter
mined to succeed where most operas
fail and that was to get together a
chorus capable disappearing the princi-
pals That they have accomplished tier
purpose in this end was indicated dur
ing the opening week and proven last
night.
Much Required
. The chorus in ''The Highwayman'' is
called upon to do considerably more iif-
ficult work than is usually the case in
operas OF the sort But last night the
Aborn chorus demonstrated its ability
TO handle its part most capably and the
general excellence of its singing was
principally responsible for a number of
encores.
Two years ago the director of a chorus
discovered among those in his charge a
young man with a tenor voice that
seemed to show great promise. he took
the young man out, and he developed
so speedily that he would make a most
valuable adjunct to almost any muyGcal
company. The young tenor Is John i.
Phillips. In The HighWayman" he is
Captain Lovelace. of the militia a rath-
er subordinate part, but that his voice
Is appreciated by the AbOTns is shown
by the Interpolation of a song for him.
At the beginning of the final act he
sings Dream On, Dear Heart, Dream
On" in such mastery style that he Is
repeatedly enCOred. IN TACT TINS song
in itself Is one Of the distinctive 1ea-
lures of the play.
OF all the characters in ''The High
wayman" the most familiar is that of
Constable CUTLER, in pursuit of rocbers
and rewards. This part IS taken by
William Herman West and he proves
one OF the biggest hits of the evening,
his constantly calling attention TO his
own ability as a sleuth being particu
larry funny.
Huff Well Received.
Forest Huff, both in singing and in
comedy, makes a most acceptable Dick
Fitzgerald, the Irish soldier of fortune,
who is the lover of Lady Constance Sin
clair, one OF the bellies Of the court,
the part being taken by Helen Bertram,
who possesses a most charming So
prano voice
one of the most humorous personages
is Toby Wrinkle, the " 'Ostler of the
Him" In many respects IL Is one Of
the most difficult parts in the show, as
the actor is called upon 10 use pro-
nounced cockney accent, but such
character is Just 10 the liking of Sol.
Solomon. He not only has the voice,
but also the movements of a cockney, a
combination seldom accomplished except
BY stars of the first rank
Sabery d'Orsell is q most capable ac-
tress who is not given an opportunity
to prove her ability in the rather in
ferfOr part of Doll Primrose. Miss d Or
sell has a good voice, but in THE High
wayman'' her prime duty seems TO be to
help out in the ensembles instead of
being a leading spirit-a position her
voice would seem to warrant.
The minor characters are, on the
whole, rather well played while the
spirit and general liveliness with which
the whole company does its work, goes
far toward making the production