The sun., 1909-12-26
GIBERTS LATEST OPERA
"FALLEN FAIRIES PRODUCED
IN LONDON.


me Music by Edward Gcrman-Net .
Triumph Sf the Old Gilbert and suili-
van style Christmas Plays and Panto-
mines I'm which ChIIdren Appear.
LONDON, Dec. Is.-The week before
Christmas is always busy time at the
London theatres both for those behind
the footlights and those in front OF them.
There is a general rush and scramble
among managers to produce now plays.
pantomimes and operettas before the
holidays have really begun. 30 that par
ents shall have plenty OF time to decide
what to take their children to see.
The most important production Of this
week has been the new opera by Sir Will
lam Gilbert and Edward German. which
was given on Wednesday evening. Sir
william has taken one Of his old sue
cesses, a drama called The Wicked
World. = and with his colleagu has evolved
from 1t an operetta, -Fallen Fairies
The opera was given at the Savoy Theatre.
the scene Of 30 many OF SIR william dii-
bert's triumphs.
Though as the opera progressed q keen
sense Of disappointment was evident, stu
at the close the usual first night enthusi-
asm of London was shown. Great APP
plause, much cheering and vociferous
calls for the oollsborators could be heard.
vet very few who left the theatre after
that performance really believed that
~Fallen Fairies had scored anything like
the success expected. II was but a feeble
echo OF the triumph of those days when
each new Gilbert and Sullivan opera was
masterpiece of wit and melody. when
first night audiences were aroused TO a
frenzy of enthusiasm over them. and when
-Gilbert and Sullivan spelled artistic and
financial success.
The story Of sFallen Fairies differs
but slightly from that OF ~The Wicked
World though it is in two acts, while the
drama was In three. Selsne. queen OF
the fairies. and her subjects know little
of mankind and they beg Laffn, a much
travelled fairy. to tell them Of the race
40 vile that he could not divulge much
Of his wickedness and misery.
SeLens and her maidens wonder why.
being 60 miserable, man care 70 1--we ana
they finally decide IL 10 because OF love.
Some one suggests that two men % sum
benefit by studying the virtues OF the
fairies and on returning to the world they
can reform their fellow creatures.
In Sir Williams Fairyland there ie a law
that no mortal may tread its SOIL put
men possible, since each fairy has a coun-
terpart ON earth, and they may change
places IL desired. Queen Seiene accord
ipgly commands Ethais and Phtion TO
come to Fairyiand. since fairies OF these
Two Hunnish warriors appear at once.
They are engaged In q fierce duel but
cease fighting when they realize they are
in new surroundings. The Queen at once
falls in love with Ethdts and DGrtre one
Of her affections. so jealousy creeps into
Ethais has been injured during bis fight
with Philon. and none but Darfne can
treat his wound. Thus she gains favor
In his eyes and plots against her Queen;
with the result that Seisne is dethroned
and Ddrine reigns In her stead. All is
ohaoe in Fairyland. and order and peace
are only reetored-w when the two knights
becoming bored return to earth:
but the libretto 10 full Of Gilbertianisrns
and some OF the songs are witty as well
as melodious, notably Lutin's song "A
woman doth the mischief brew and the
Fairyland. There is a chorus, Good day
to you--away to you that's all We have TO
say to you.' that is reminiscent OF an
earlier work.
some Of Mr.. Germans music is delight
full. but he is hamPered by the absence Of
a male chorus and q tenor hero.
The professional march for the crown
ing OF Ddrfne and the music of Seiene's
curse are very fine and show the composer
In a grand opera vein.
Mr., Workman. the operatic actor-mana-
ger. produced Fallen Fairies besides
taking the part Of L,sfin.
II is a halcyon period for English chill
dren. this Christmas play producing time.
Little school girls and boys with indulgeut
parents are sure to go the rounds OF all the
are given. Still more enjoyment In In store
for those young sters who take part In the
pantomimes and fairy plays.
This year there are 900 children engaged
in the two pantomimee- and the four
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