Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-23
A N U S E N E N rs.
BelaSco.

Clever William Norris-again the
stereotyped epithet to designate the
most versatile player the American
stage can boast-worked manfully to
hold the interest of large audience at
the Belasco Theater last night. On
that occasion The King of Cadonia"
had it's first, or, if you count Satuc-
day night in New Haven, its second,
presentation on any American stage
Costumed with a magnificence that Is
truly regal and employing company
that includes exceptionally competenl
performers, the production SUFFERED
rom overanXiety as to the manner OF
its musical Interpretation. 1t was
doubtless a desire to have the leader
usually competent hands that led to the
engagement of Hugo Bryk. who has
served as musical director of the Thea
ter Johan Strauss in Vienna. In ad-
dition to being unfamiliar with the
score Mr.. Bryk was under the 6is-
advantage Of understanding but little
English. This was hardship Mon
day, but no doubt a relief at todays
rehearsal when the general comments
began to crystalline. The lack of Or
the start. and with the tricky tempos
and unexpected turns of harmony
which composers of English musical
shows so dearly esteem soon became
a serious matter. Only the great pres
ence of mind displayed by Mr.. Norris
and other principals in the. cast pre-
vented hopeless ENHANCEMENT. Some
of the lyrics are original In idea and
smart of expression, but the melodies.
insecurity interpreted as they were
seemed now and then like practical
jokes.
1t will be interesting to observe what
a dashing and confident presentation will
make of THE King of Cadonia.' There
were times when it fickered wanly and
other times when it scintillated. The
story is of the traditional variety, stronger,
50 far as actual plot is concerned. in its
romantic than in its comic aspect. For
tunately for it's abundant heart interest"
it had the services of Melville Stewart in
the role of the royal lover, who not only
sings acceptably, but deserves to rank
as a romantic actor of first-rate quail
ity. His work enabled melodramatic
situation to be worked up to a legitimate
climax. Clara Palmer introduced an ele-
ment of chic vivacity into the feminine
personnel of the cast, and was fortunate
in getting the full measure Of value from
her dainty number Come Along, Little
Girl William Danforth, as first assistant
comedian. won numerous laughs by meth
DDS which were broad without being
coarse Miss Gertrude Darrell displayed
marked vocal ability and Mabella Baker
manifested her customary efficiency as a
musical grande dame. Other members of
the company played competently. The
chorus work was not distinguished by any
effort at great novelty in its evolutiOns.
but with the aid of respondent costumes
was pictorially effective
Mr.. Norris, outwardly serene, whatever
his inward emotions may have been, de-
Evered his quips and serio-comic speeches
with genuinely humorous JUNCTION, sang
his amusing ditties to hilarious conclu-
sions, regardless of orchestral Interrupt
ton, danced gracefully, though not over
much, and here and there gave flashes of
the gifts for serious character delinea-
ton which have made him so noteworthy
a theatric figure.