The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-23
LAST NIGHT AT THE
LOCAL PLAYHOUSES
THE BELASC0.
''Ths King Of Cadonia."


The English musical comedy. The King
OF Cadonis," new 60 this side Of the Al
lantic. was shown for the first time at
the Belasco Theater last night before a
large audience. II must be confessed.
however. that the play was disappointing.
1t was lar from typical Of the shows OF
its kind that our British cousins are IN
The habit 90 sending as.
''The King Of Cadonia" is good only IN
spots. tt has, however, the signs OF SUI
fcient merit to make its ultimate sue
cess less problemaucal than could be
judged by last nights performance. For
Il first night. however. the production
was remarkably smooth and tolerably
free from those annoying bitches which
were evident I'm the last musical comedy
produced at the Belasco.
sidney Jones. composer Of 1.-THE Gel
Bha.' Is responsible for the music OF
'The King OF Cadona," and there Is very
little that IS distinctive about the score
still less is there OF that quality likely
10 prove popular. One or two numbers
should be eliminated altogether as being
neither entertaining as 10 lyrics or catchy
as to music, but for the most part the
as much 20 the knack Of the lyricist.
Adrian Ross. and 20 the singers as TO the
composer.
The book. which is by Frederick Ions
dale. tells a story laid IN one Of those
mythical European monarchies which are
always cropping up as the locale of
either a comic opera or six best
seller Alexis. King OF Cadonia. is not
minded 30 sit on a throne which has
the record of half a dozen occupants I'm
twice as many moons, so ne slips away
in disguise and hohnobs with a bunch
Of anarchists who are seeking his life.
leaving the throne To the Duke of ALASKA.
the heir prCsUmptive. who is equally re-
luctant for kInsly honors. Tae throne
goes begging throughout the play. which
IS in two acts. The story pursues the for
tunes of the king in hts bringing his
anarchistic friends around 60 "a caImer
and less oloodthirsty frame OF mind and
Furthermore places the pseudo-king I'm a
number of precarious situations. In the
end the king gets his princess and estab-
fishes his throne on a frmer basis. I'm
approved comic opera ending.
The difficulty last night with the king
or Cadonia' seemed 20 be an overabun-
dance OF material some or which should
be speedily cut out The pruning process
on musical comedy hardly ever begins
until after The initial performance and it
Is likely that the producers have prodted
by observation as 20 what last nights
audience seemed 20 like best. and will act
accordingly.
William Norris. as the Duke Of ALASKA.
good actor that he IS. missed hardly a
comedy point and I'm fact interpolatcd
some fun that was never I'm the authors
book when "A bat from the wings cs-
capped into the auditorium and created a
diversion by circling overhead
Mr.. Norris has had experience IN the
legitimate drama. ms wen as having
served several terms IN musical comedy.
His admirers like % see him and will
always welcome him as one who makes
absolutely the most or his material. but
talent Ike his IS not so common that we
can afford 70 waste IN on matter such
as this That everything else than what
he took part IN seemed inferior fin quality
may be attributed more 10 his brilliant
ability than to the absolute unworthIness
OF his surroundings.
Clara Palmer. fresh from her triumphal
pun with Havana" was charming. but
had a role which was inconseuuentiaL
Her dancing was a feature OF the per
iormance that drew n great deal OF ap-
p-ause. Gertrude DarreUs splendid So
prano voice was heard Co advantage IN
several good songs. but her acting is
hardly NJ 20 the Importance OF her role
Melville Stewart made a. handsome King
Alexis especially after being shorn Of
that wonderful beard in which he made
hi1 first entrance. William Danforth
rolled his eyes and emitted staccato ex-
pletiyos as only he can. and Albert Gran.
as Gen Bonsld, was satisfactory. Bur
rel Rarbarttto. as Capt LasH. was es-
peeiallv good. for he seemed 90 see humor
IN his environment. which somehow kept
him in touch with the audience.
The production is nor no % the usual
Shuhert standard, either as TO costumes
OF scenery There is too muca glitter
and paint, giving the whole a garish ef-
feet, which is not pleasing 10 the eve.
The strainlng after something new or
surprising is apt TO lead producers into
this error. The first act settling was ar
tistic, but a soft blending OF harmonious
tones FIN the second, instead Of the rather
trying greenish-hlue. would have been
pleasanter to look at
WILLIAM OSBORN.