The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-15
LAST NIGHT AT LOCAL PLAYHOUsEs
THE COLUMBIA.
First Performance Of "a sLyIark..

First Performances OF "a sIxyIark."
The first and prime requisite OF nsu-
steal comedy nowadays seems to be a
choice OF an original locale giving an
opportunity for effective and novel cos
tuning. But 1t remained for the authors
OF "A Skylark." seen for the first time
on any stage at the Columbia last night.
TO choose the most original setting OF all.
There have been pieces Of this kind laid
on desert isles, in all the countries of all
the continents of the world and even
under the sea-, but this production trans
ported its audience to heaven-not the
modern one. it is true. but the Olympus
Of the Greeks.
But, regardless of the setting OF the
play-or, perhaps because of 1.-THE ca
pacity audience received the latest addi-
ton to the list of musicalities of this
kind more than cordially. and It deserves
every particle OF the praise and applause
given it-and more. For last nights per-
formance was one OF those rare things. a
smooth and finished first performance
from the rise of the curtain to the fail.
There was not a hitch In the entire per-
formance, every one OF the large COM
pany knew their lines and got the best
out of them. and the general impression
given at the end was that, with a little
judicious pruning. "A skylark'' will take
It's place among the numerous other sue
eesses scored by fits predecessors.
1t has nearly everything that is to be
desired in play of this kind-good come
dams. catchy. tuneful music, clever lines.
stage settings that are second TO none
and one of the largest and handsomest
choruses that have been here this season.
with all these, 1t ought 10 be a success.
"A Skylark" is not. as the name might
indicate, member Of the feathered tribe
but the title has reference TO a trip taken
by party of tourists who start out from
home on board the steamer Pegasus and
IN midocean meet a storm which threat
ems TO wreck them. But Neptune appears
and informs them that Jupiter, the king
of the gods. desires their presence in his
heavenly abode. Thus the excuse for the
setting OF the last act
1t win be seen that the story gives wide
scope for the Imagination Of the author
the composer, snd--not by any means
least-the costumer. These opportunities
have been taken advantage of to their
fullest extent, and the result is an enter
tainment that is novel; and anything novel
IN this day OF stereotyped musical shows
is bound TO be entertaining.
In the selection Of the cast the manage
ment has made some lucky finds. for
John Slavin. May de sousa, Oracle King
Anna Boyd Clarice Vance. and Harry
Fairleigh-not 70 mention the rest Of the
very large cast-certainly succeed I'm get
ting the most ont of their lines. Slayin
Is cast in the part OF a native of Bangor.
Ne. and with his smile. walk, and songs.
kept the audience well amused during
his occupation OF the center of the stage.
Some OF his methods need to have the
rough edges taken off them-but his other
business, for instance in the songs. I'm
the Garden, The Bloom on the Bottle"
and the Travel sextets, are Iegitlmately
funny.
Next 70 the hit scored by Slavin, came
the one made by Miss Clarice Vance. of
vaudeville fame. She still retains some
of her older methods OF fun-making. par
ticularly noticeable in her songs, but the
applause Of the audience which threat
ened 10 interrupt the performance
on more than one occasion, demon
strated that she was appreciated.
Finding that her two songs And Be
lieved Him" and "The Goddess of
Greece" were not enough for the in
sistent applause. she had to fall back
on But. Oh. How He Can Love"
The remainder Of the cast is an ex-
well-balanced one. and con-
tanned scarcely member that did not
come up to the standard of the prin-
cipals.
One or two suggestions as 70 the need
lessness Of several OF the speeches. par
the totally unnecessary refer
ences TO the ether place of future life
and the scene with the "lady patient
in the opening act. might not come amiss.
The play is too good a one and too en-
joyable without these occasional breaks
to need their presence for the laugh
that they get. Also, it might be we'll to
omit Slavin's dance with Clarice Vance
In the last act and to modify trifie
the costumes OF three of the goddesses-
those with the black, spangle effect
With the exception of these faults. there
is scarcely a criticism to be made of the
production. unless the request to soften
the orchestra and 10 inquire as TO the
of the music OF Kelly" and
Tell Me. Pretty Maiden" may be called
criticisms
More than passing mention is also
due the music Of the piece. For there
are a number OF catchy pieces. notably
the ones mentioned above and "The
Princess Of Dreams" and Miss De Sou
sa's waltz song. The waltz that formed
the motif for the music was also ex-
tremely haunting and pleasant without
being reminiscent
The production is mounted and cos
TUNED with lavish. yet tasty manner,
and the ensembles. especially the final |
one of the silver Shower" were partic- |
ularly praiseworthy. With the omission |
Of a part OF tho business of the first act
for the play is too long as it stands now |
and the added confidence that a few more |
viii give, the authors and
will certainly have a production |
that win be worthy TO rank with the
best of its kind
CHASE'S.
Polite Vaudeville.