New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-26
THE LONDON STAGE
Gilbert German Opera-Hol-
iday Plays.

Iondou. December Is
Gilbert comedy - the early 7rs
has been set 70 Mr Ed7y ard Germsn.a
music and oldtime Savovards are va
pleased Fallen Fairies" ts based "A
The Wicked World In which WI
Blackstone and Mrs. Kendall when -1s
was Miss Msdge Robertson. once disl
played their talents as comedians Thor.
is an ingenious variant Of the familiar
theme Of counterparts The fairies DIS
porting themselves IN innocence on the
upper side ~ a cloud overhanging the
earth have their counterparts In mortal
form and long TO see them Lutin
serving fairy. has been down below. but
will not shock the Queen and her maids
by telling them how bad wanton hu-
unanitv can Do The fairies insist uroa
knowing the worst because thev ara
confident that they can reform thk
naughty men. and mInistering spirts
are sent 20 earth 70 fetch the counter-
parts Of Ethais and PhyllOn q the
sunny side of the cloud They return
with TWO rough. armor clad knights.
N4lD EEEE444J L414l1ADA III -d4A anu lLlL0
bottomless pit OF envy and strife.
The knights are wicked and incorr,
gible. swearing a e each other and com
ing 70 blows IN a fierce brawI with
broadswords; and the innocent fairies.
instead OF being repealed By their cor
duct, are attracted by vices 80 unlike
their own virtues Both Queen Selsns
- - Gle ell -.
Ethais when the visitors have hirted
with them and kissed them. With sub
tie craft Darine excites his ange-
against Phyllon and summons the NOR
tai embodiment Of Lutin in the nick %
time 20 supply salve for A terrible
wound Lutin on earth Is Ethais's doc
tor. and the salve Is taken without sus-
picion OF treachery from the hand 81
Darine. so that the night with his rival
can be continued. Darine, having taken
away the Queens lover. plots against
the throne, and is herself crowned when
her rival is degraded. Philandering IL
followed by envy. jealousy and strife:
the peace of fairyland is destroyed, IN
nOcent minds are contaminated with
human passions and treason and r-:-s-
lion are rampant. n IS not unsil N.
two fascinating strangers from t1s
neither world return 70 earth without re-
greet for the sweet and pure minded
fairies whom they are deserving that
peace is restored. with the rightrul SOW
ereign on the throne
The story is told mainly IN the blank
verse of the original comedy, with
lyrics filled IN with double rhymes and
poIysyllabic jingIes Sir ". 5. Gilbert
was right when he assured the audiencs
that there was life in the old dog; bur
the antics and tricks are less amusing
than formerly. The quips and cranks
are less noticeable than the serious pas
sages and moralizing homilies. The Wit
seems forced and artificial IN the Hbretta.
whereas IL was spontaneous and spark
ling in The Bah Ballads % The 8nkadc''
and The Yeomen OF the Guard" Ths
costumes are graceful and beautiful and
the singing and acting are excellent
Mr.. Workman. who is chief comedian
Of the Savoy company, lacks full en-
ployment in the denotement OF Lutin
as fairy and mortal. vet is most anus
ing. Mr.. Claude Flemmings powerful
voice and Mr.. Leo Shefheld's agility are
adequately displayed in approximations
OF the two knights Miss Nancy NJ
Intosh. as Queen Selene. sings with hns
taste. Miss Maidie Hope is more spright-
~ and aIluring as Darine and Miss Jes-
sic Rose is even more vivacious az
Zayda. the fairy who suggests the sum-
moning Of the mortal cOunterparts.
Mr.. Germans music Is always tunefil
and graceful. and in this opera il IS fire.
quently dramatic The opening chorus
of sopranos and contraItos is a fine num-
Der. and there Is a well scored finale for
the first act. Darine song with me
charm, mischievous Zaydas dance. the
duet about reforming mortals. Ethaiss
song, When a knight Loves Ladye.
and the intermezzo following the light
of the knights while the fairies are
sleeping are delightful passages. Ths
lack of a chorus Of mems voices Is
drawback. charming as r. the singing
Of the young sopranos and contraltcs
Of the Royal College and Academy ~
Music. II was not the composers fault
IL the scene could not be shifted 20 earth
where the wicked men might sing lust
fly. Nor was the author responsible for
the garish scenery. with its dazzling coli
ors and absence Of cloud effects.
There has been a successful trial per
Torrance of The Kings Cup" az ths
Adeiphi This IS a Ruritanian play, with
Mr.. Dennis Bradley and Mr.. z. p Or
penheim as Joint authors. There Is an
opening scene in a garden near Regents
Park in which. Captain Erlito and his
friend. Walter Brand. are hobnoboins
with Duke Nicholas of Rest, MILLION
aire Van Decht and other interested on
servers Of revolution fomented ey
Russia IN a petty state. and the acton
Is shifted in the three remaining acts 70
the palace OF Theos and the dukes house.
with the hero ON the throne and var
correspondent ss his chief adviser. ara
with plot and counter plot until ms
dukes sister Is induced to change sides
and the millionaires daughter IS Pro-
claimed Queen, because the young KHis
loves her and because her father ns'
financed the counter revolution againss