The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-02-09
The FORREST.

Henry W. Savage's magnificent produc-
ton of Franz Lehar's light-opera MASTER
piece, "The Merry Widow" is in the
farewell weeks of its record breaking en-
gagement at the Forrest Theatre, Philadel-
phia-the final day Of the stay being
February 9th. Mr.. Savage is fairly
besieged with requests for an extension of
the engagement, but this is impossible by
reason of the bookings made far in adj
vance for other large Eastern cities, which
can no longer be postponed. tThe Merry
Widow" not only holds the record for re-
ceipts In New York, where this alluring
operetta drew the enormous sum of one
million dollars during it's stay of 80 con-
secutive weeks at the New Amsterdam
Theatre, but its takings at the Forrest are
exceeding all past records To date more
than $4,000 Philadelphians have APP
plauded this most delightful of her foot
light sex, with every indication that the
crowds will increase as the. final days Of
stay at the Forrest approach. Some con-
ception of the widespread appeal of this
truly great light opera may be had by
noting that in the three years since its
initial presentation In Vienna, "The
Merry Widow" has been produced in
more than 80 countries and in 300 cities.
The geographical scope of its vogue is
limited only by the confines of the civilized
world. No country in Europe has failed
to greet this all-conquering work with
enthusiasm, while even in far-off Japan it
is today all the rage, companies playing
it in Yokohama, Kobe and Toxic at the
present writing. A touring company has
presented the work In various East Indian
cities, Calcutta having, il is said, partic-
ularly excellent production, while the.
coast cities Of Africa have likewise added
their full need of approval
Though the famous waltz is more talked
of, perhaps, than any other single feature
of ''The Merry Widow, it is by no means
the most important or the most delightful
of the many musical numbers-this with
all due appreciation of its pervading
charm. The beautiful villa, rollicking
Cavalier" duo, the appealing 'Dutiful
Wife," the rousing male chorus and solo
for Sonia, entitled in Marsovia," the
uproariously comic septet, "Women,
the second act duet between Sonia and
Danilo-these and as many more are 10
be ranked unsteady as we'll as popularity
as fully the equal of the much-discussed
musice- terpsichorean sensation. In adj
dition to the rare musical merits of 1.-THE
Merry Widow" there are such other
features as it's interesting story-for one
gorgeous stage pictures and the notable
sartarial display. Any one of these
factors would easily suffice in itself to
establish light opera firmly in the affec-
tionS of discriminating and exacting
public-while s'The Merry Widow" has
them all. OF the merits of the cast and
production nothing need be said. Mr..
Savage has sent to the Forrest the original
New York company intact, with Donald
Brian, Frances Cameron, R. E. Graham,
Franceska Kaspar, Fred Frear, Eva Ben
nett, William G. Weadon, Teresa Van
Bruno, etc., etc with the famous English
Grand Opera Orchestra, under the leader
ship of Louis Gottschalk, and all the
other noted features which have Won for
this organization the name of the finest
light opera company OF the time
She was high-browed and soulful, given
to the Ibsen cult and grand opera in its
grandest manifestations. Hence it was
with some misgivings that the young man
! took her to see Lyman H. Howe's Lifeo-
rama Its the greatest exhibition of its
| kind In America or abroad" the youth
had explained yolublY. Competent crit.
les hail the new programme as brilliantly
interesting 'photographically perfect,
etc" And she had graciously consented
to attend it. After the first two pictures
were shown the. young man glanced APP
prehensively at the young lady. Her eyes
were halfclosed; she was apparently in
/ the seventh heaven of enjoyment. This, .
she said solemnly. sis art. Thenceforth
that young man ceased worrying and de-
voted himself to thorough enjoyment OF
the programme to be shown at the Audi
forum Theatre, Burlington, on Thurs
day evening, February IL.
''Fritz, the Wandering Musician" will
i give its initial performance at the Audi.
forum Theatre, Burlington, on Saturday
evening next. The production is foul
act musical comedy drama. 1t brings for
ward Joe Hortiz. the yodler songster act
or, and affords him numerous opportuni.
ties for the introduction Of tuneful songs
and ballads. The scenes of the play,
which are laid In the mountain districts OF
Kentucky, and the plot, woven about the
discovery of oil on a bankrupt Colonies
estate, make possible many exciting sit
uations and ingeniouslY contrived eli
MAKES Mr.. Hortiz, as Fritz Schiller, the
, wandering musician, sings all his latest
songs The precociousness Of Baby Val
entine, as 'nobody's darling, and the in
PRODUCTION of two well-trained St. Der
nard dogs, are other features of the en-
tertainment.
Only little cold in the head may be
: the beginning Of an obstinate case Of
| - 10,