The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04


 New York, December 3.-(Special.) )-- Comedies Comedies Comediesl All kinds and every variety on Broadway. This style of play seems to be the principal order of the day with the musical show running close second. At present there are more successful comedies along Broadway than any other style of play and 1t might be mentioned also, that there have been more failure of this particular type of show.
 Theatrical managers have slackened their gait in presenting new plays until | after the holidays, when we may LOOK for another avalanche
 The most recent productions are Sir A. Conan Doyles, "The Speekled Band" which opened at the Garriek theatre, but does not look very promising. The Girl and the Kaiser" which opened at the Herald Square theatre; '"rillies Night l mare," with Marie Dressier in the star role, which occupied this playhouse, hay ing gone on the road.
 At the Bijou theatre, "The Other Eel low" which had its premier about month ago, was compelled to close up, and 'The Nest Egg" a new comedy by Anne Caldwell. took it's place.
 "The Girl and the Kaiser An important Viennessee operatta, eni- bellished with large and attractive Broadway chorus. which recently opened at the Herald Square theatre. bears the earmarks of successful production. The new piece Is called '"rhe Girl and the Kaiser" and is the combined work of Bernard Buchbinder and George Jarno Leonard Iiebling being responsi- ble for the English version.
 Unlike the majority of operattas, the plot is highly interesting one. and deals with a charming little love story. It fur nishes on exceptional opportunity for some clever acting and fortunately, Miss Lulu Flaser, comic opera star. with unusual histrionio ability. is cast in the leading role.
 The story of ''The Girl and the Kaiser is said to be based on an incident in the life of the Austrian Emperor, Josef IT., when he met pretty girl in the royal game preserves and again discovered her in Vienna in time to save her sweet heart from execution as a deserter from the army. The piece was "discovered' SO far as America Is concerned, at the Irving Place German theatre last season, when 1t had a run of several weeks under the title of "Die Foerster Christi" There is definite and consistent plot, stronger and more beautiful than the average operetta plot. Christi is the daughter of the chief forester and helps him in his duties. She captures sup posed poaeher, to whom she expresses her mind most freely. She tells him what she thinks of the Kaiser and what she would say to him if she should meet him. Her sweetheart. Franz Foldessy, with whom she has been coquetting. is crested as a deserter Christi goes to Vienna to plead with the Emperor for his life, and there finds that the poaching tk mi understands his kindness and believes that she has been chosen as his sweet heart. At the end. however, she accepts Franz and dances Czafdas with him as a token of equalization.
 There Is a secondary plot concerning a conspiracy against the life of the Elm eror, led unwillingly by Peter Wenzel, the court tailor, who has been mistaken by the Hungarion patriots for famous poet. Schmoiler Baroness with a jealous fiance makes love to Kenzel under his newly acquired name, and he is generally brought into trouble against his will.
 Of course in order to popularize it along the Great White Way many novel fea- lures were introduced, Including the usual bevy of chorus girls and men. The producers. however, were careful to leave enough of the original text intact so as not to ruin the story.
 score pieees but it is not in the same class with he text. The viennese dance rythms are piquant enough, but they are wholly conventional So is the Hungarian flavor that the gipsy choruses and dances iIn- part to the score.
 As ''The Girl" Miss Chaser was more charming than ever In some scenes she was very amusing in her rough hoydensh way, while in others. she played with an n~nuisite tenderness and artistic restraint that was a revelation even to her most
 lIhusisastic admirers.
 Thomas Richards makes dashing Hungarian lover. and possesses an ex- client voice. The major portion of the comedy Is contributed by Harry Conor. in the role of Peter Wenzel, the tailor, md is greatly appreciated.
 Julius Mcvicker adds strong personal charms and some very finished histronic character to the part of the Emperor.
 "The Nest Egg-
 There are several things that bad eggs are used for. as for example. bakers cakes dairy luncheon rooms and bum &C., tors, but to use them the principal in- yredlents for a comedy is an entirely new function for this material.
 If you doubt this statement. all that is necessary Is to pay visit to the Bijou theatre, where you will see the delightful ihree-act comedy, having for it's founda- ton a bad egg.
 Miss Anna Caldwell Is responsible for the new piece, which bears the appro- i.riate name of '"The Nest Egg"
 The story is a quaint one, and is woven around the life of an old maid. Hetty Candy, who resides in an upstate town Miss Candy. besides being the town seamstress, is the principal retailer of small gossip in the community. Like many spinsters of her years. she has an intense yearning for a male companion, and as she said, lat times I just banker to see the homecoming of a drunken husband"
 But Miss Gandy's love of romance leads L1, 4l