The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

has hovered over this theatre since the
 beginning of the season. After a run of
 four months at the Liberty theatre "The
 Country Boy' has gone on the road This piece possesses enough genuinement to run 1t couple of seasons. ''The Spring Maid,' new musical piece staged by two
 newcomers in the theatrical field, has opened at the Liberty, and should have no trouble In running through the re-
 mander of the season.
 Miss Billy Burke has opened at the Lyceum in new play entitled Suzanne"
 but the vehicle does not look very prom l ising. Oscar Wildes clever little piece "The Importance of Being Earnest was removed from his house to make room for Miss Bufke's new play, most for tunate change.
 Mir William Gillette, who is appear ing in a number of revivals, has moved from the Empire theatre to the Criterion. At Wallacks theatre ''Pomander Walk" Louis N. Parker's new play, is making
 real hit. It is so entirely different from anything else on Broadway as to be really new.
 Henry B. Harris is making great prep
 arations for the production of Charles
 Klein's new play Maggie Pepper which Is to take place the latter part of the
 month. Rose Stahl of Chorus Lady" fame will be the star.
 The big event in the operatic world was the premier production of Engelbert Humperdincks new opera "Koenigskin- der" Although it did not attrack quits so much attention among the public Puc- cinis Girl of the Golden West" 1t was just as great an event t0 the musi- cal world, and according to a number of critics Is musically far superior to the
 Puccini opera A brief review of the ~x,;tl fha r,oxyc io given below
 "The Spring Maid, Good music, pretty girls and come dians, who do not waste their efforts in trying to be funny are the essentials of good musical comedy. "The Spring Maid," which recently opened at- the Liberty theatre, has all of these, and
 more, too. The more" is none other than Miss Christie Mac Donald, whose charming manner and excellent voice make her one of the most popular musl-
 cal comedy artists on Broadway. Like a great many successful musical shows, the ntHv piece had its oNgin> on
 the other side of the water, where It is
 known as Die Sprudelfee," Henrich
 Reinhardt being responsible for the
 music and Julius Wilhelm and A. M.
 Willner for the book. In it's present
 form, however, 1t would hardly be rec
 ognized. Harry B. and Robert B.
 Smith, who are responsible for tho American adoption have filled full of
 specialties to attract the Broadway ele- ment, and although Its musical value has suffered slightly, it is still long way ahead of the ordinary musical show.
 The producers of the new piece, Louis F. Werba and Mark A. Leuscher, are also new to Broadway. and they de-
 serve mention for well staged produc- tion.
 The plot of the opera concerns the self-esteem in which the Prince Ala dar holds himself. He finds noble wom- en cold and believes in looking for love affairs among what he characterizes as
 "The lower classes" He hears about the charm of Annamirl, one of the girls who dispenses water to the tourists who Carlsbad spring. He wagers that he can win her in 8 day. The Princess Bozema overhears Aladar make this
 wager and she thereupon promptly steps into the shoes and, of course, the dress of the spring maid. This IS only
 to teach the prince a lesson, but it ends
 quite as the prince might have desired.
 After the story once gets under way
 1t is carried along brightly enough. The
 dialogue frequently brings smile and
 usually sustains the interest.
 As the Princess Bozema, Miss Mac
 Donald could not be improved upon, and
 she ie fortunate in having an excellent
 supporting company. Most of the com
 edy Is supplied by Tom McNaughton, a
 vaudeville recruit, and his fmpersona- ton of the role of the English tragedian Is exceedingly funny.
 The roles of the prince and the baron are handled very well by Law renee Req and MT. Ralph Enrole, while William Burress is very amusing as the father of the princess.
 A large and pretty chorus, beautiful
 stage settings. handsome costumes and an excellent orchestra are other as- sets that the piece possesses.
 It looks as though The Spring Maid'
 would see the springtime without any trouble.
 "Suzanne"
 Billy Burke Is popular actress. Be- sides being an exceptional type of beauty, she has a strong personal charm and a fair share of ability. But 1t will take moro than the popularity of Miss Burke to save her new vehicle.
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