The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-02

, truth that music of true merit and fine
writing may still be found in light opera.
just as 1t used to be when Sullivan COM
posed "Mikado" and "Pinafore, and
when Strauss wrote his comic operas.
The unlearned in music love Lehar's bril-
liant and swaying melodies, and the stu
dent approves the musicianly construe-
tion which is apparent. 1t takes genius
to write music like this, and few com
posers have succeeded in joining the
merits of serious music with the hilarious
delight OF popular music. Lehar has been
one OF the few to succeed in this task.
The story is too we'll known to be in
need OF repetition 1t has become "a
classic in the four years of its existence
| and is the model now for score of other
writers who lack only the skill that has
made the original the worldwide success
it has become.
Savage, it Is promised will not disap-
point in the company and cast which he
will send. And the production, too, will
| be up to the high artistic standard which
has made the name of Henry w. Savage
synonymous with perfection in play pro-
ducing. The chorus of singers and dane
ers will be as heretofore one of the prin
cipal features in the success that 1.-The
Merry Widow is bound to achieve.
Miss Frances Cameron, the well known
Hungarian prina donna will be heard here
as Sonia, and not only will she charm
by her singing, but her dancing and act
ing have placed her absolutely in the lead
of the nine Sonas that have sung the
title role. Miss Cameron is a very pref
ty little woman, with eyes that have a
peculiar brilliancy of the Oriental type
and particularly useful for the woman
who plays the Merry Widow.
Mr. Charles Meakins will sing the role
of Prince Danilo: Mr.. Robert E. Graham
will furnish much comedy in the part of
the Ambassador, the part which he
created in New York and played also in
Chicago and Boston during the long runs
in those cities; Mr.. John Thomas will be
Nish, and Misha Ference, the Russian
tenor, will make his first appearance here
as Camille de Jollidon. Another new
conner will be Miss Anna Bussert, who
made such big hit in the leading role
of Mr.. Savage's production of 1.-The Gay
Hussars'' in New York.
"The House of Thousand Candies"
1.-THE House of Thousand Candles"
one of the most entertaining and abb
sorbing comedy dramas. will be present
ed at the Jefferson theatre Thursday
matinee and night. The play, as the title
indicates, is an excellent dramatization
of Meredith Nicholson's widely-read
novel, 1t has been cleverly adapted by
George Middleton who has managed to
retain all the oddities of the story to-
gether with its surprises and whimsical
mysteries. In fact, the stage adaptation
makes the mystery even more profound
than in the original story. Despite the
presence of the unknown" in its four
acts. and the great intensity Of many of
its scenes it is far from being a melo-
drama or so-called thriller" It is just
the real up-to-date play filled with novel
situations, overlooking with humor, and
entirely away from all beaten paths.
Bates the great character OF both
play and novel. the inscrutable, the mys-
FERROUS, the uspected-'Bates'' the faith
full, patient, long-suffering butler at Glen
arm House-is in the capable hands OF
VIM. Webb. who was specially selected
for the role, and who can positively be
relied upon to give splendid imperson-
alton of an utterly original person. John
Glenarm, the heir to THE House Of a
Thousand Candles" has been entrusted
to Lawrence Brooke. This is the role Of
the plucky young fellow who VIII not
be thrown out of his Inheritance because
of threats, mystery. and a series Of de-
signs upon his life. How he eludes his
pursuers and fathorns the mysteries of
the wonderful old mansion form the basis
OF one Of the most enhancing series OF
episodes ever given on the stage. Miss
Margaret Keene. an altogether charming
and talented actress, assumes the role of
Marion Deveraux. the young woman who
bafaea ~ A*frac&s young 0asnarm and