New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-29
BRIAN IN THE SIREN
First DaniIo of "The Merry
Widow" Star in Own Right.
STILL STICKS TO WALTZ
Julia Sanderson Shares with Him
Honors of Conspicuous
First Night.

The exact centre Of the theatrical uni
verse last night was at Broadway and SSth
street. where the Knickerbocker Theatre
rears it walls. A hasty glimpse into the
interior Of Charles Frohman's house would
have left the impression that the theatrical
blue book was fully represented from
broad comedian to heavy tragedian John
Drew was In box with a family party.
and he was there when the final curtain
rang down Billie Burke and Blanche Ring
gave tone to orchestra and box-but what's
the use2 The most conspicuous Of the
theatrical profession last night were those
who were not present.
The occasion of this outpouring Of stage
folk was Charles Frohmans first musical
comedy production of the year and like
wise Donald Brian's Initiation into the
ranks Of stardom In The Siren" by Leo
Stein. A. NJ. Wilmer. Leo Fall and Harry
b. Smith. Mr. Frohman was generous with
the fitting, dancing Brian. The stage set
,lhss were lavish to an extreme. the num-
p'' and beauty of the chorus were satisfy
ing TO an extremely large and friendly au-
u'ehce and the musical numbers blended
wen With the temper of those who sat in
Aioht' In other words, the first nighters
save every evidence OF being swayed by
falls compositions.
Inc story OF The Siren is not beyond
| the understanding OF an infant Armand
Marquis de Ravailac has been guilty. of
writing insulting letters to the Emneror
Uhe scenes. of course. are laid i'm Vienna,
and Baron Siegfried Bazios. Minister NJ
| Police, is on his trail. He knows the Mar
quis wrote the insults, but cannot get
| direct evidence against the young man.
He makes ii his purpose In life to convict
the marquis by obtaining samples of his
| handwriting, and to this purpose brings
the aid of a dozen young women, with the
object OF inspiring Armand to write love
notes
The Marquis successfully eludes these
sirens. hut finally succumbs to the charms
Of Lolotte. whom he had formerly known
in Montbiiou She is innocently drawn
INTO the scheme which shall incrimnate
Armand and when the damage has been
done is hesrtbroken. Armand in the end
discovers Lolotte's innocence and all ends
as it should.
The Brian school Of musical comedy, in
PRODUCED by The Merry Widow" proved
To he as popular as in days gone by The
nimbe Brian feet. the gliding Brian legs,
skilled in the mazes of the waltz. were
there 10 see. aided by the like members OF
Miss Julia Sanderson. who scored a success
in the opinion of the audience equally
with the star. To thOsr who sat back and
watched the evOlutions of the star and his
twin. it appeared a happy combination.
What matters II that in the opening duet
between Armand and Clarisse. played by
Elizabeth Firth. unconscious murmurings
Of The Merry Widow" escaped from the
lips of the audience? It is the style Of
dance and song that the Brian regime has
brought into favor and New York audi
ences seem not to have tired Of the brand.
The second scene brought an involuntary
gasp from those in front, who cooed en-
siastically at the gold and white setting
The Donkey" sung by Armand, Lolotte
and Clarisse, made a hit that was pleasing
to those who "hee hawed" through its
verses
Armand and Lolotte, in a caprice waltz
in this scene, whetted the appetite Of the
audiepce for more. and Armands immacu-
late white collar wilted I'm his efforts TO
oblige Donald Brian showed that he had
not forgotten the appeal of the dance
kiss for this waltz was plentifully inter
spersed with oscillation, done In a manner
that charmed the house.
VIII West, as Hannibal, a horse doctor. in
jected humor that convulsed the serried
rows of orchestra and balcony, and all
though he staggered beneath an August
heat. he appeared happy. A man named F.
Pope Stamper came on, scampered about
the stage with two young women, scam
pered off again and seen no more.
Some one in the audience advanced the
idea that he and they we're dancing.
Miss Firth and Lootte, together and sep
srately, sang THE Wall Flower" waltz
song. and their singing delighted the audi
ence. despite its similarity to The Merry
Widow" of other days. Can IL be that
The Merry widow has become a wall
flower?
4 packed house, IN which not even a
wedge would aid in gaining access, seemed
10 prove that THE Siren" would live 10 lure
many to the Knckerbocker. The cast: