The Washington herald., 1911-07-23
HOLCOMB'S LORNA DOONE

Willard Holcomb has acquired the
scenery used in the recent trial produc-
tion of his dramatization of Lorna
Doone" at the Belasco Theater. Some
say he took it in lieu of salary for his
impromptu services as an actor on that
occasion, when the sudden illness of
Charles Hopkins compelled the author
critic to assume the role of Tom Faggus,
at fifteen minutes notice, in which case,
the punishment fitted the crime" How
ever, Holcomb has the scenery, and after
it has been furbished up by the artist
in Baltimore. it will be used for the first
road production of "Bonny Lorna Doone."
Robert T. Haines will head the company
in the role of John Ridd, supported by
select company which is now being organ
izcd. Mr.. Haines is resting for a couple
OF weeks at the home of his brother-in-
law Attorney General Straus, of Mary
land and supervising the details of the
production between times. He will open
his tour in Baltimore next month, and
will cover the South and Southwest, as
far as Missouri, his native State. Other
Lorna Doone" companies are being
organized by Mr. Holcomb, to tour the
Northern and Eastern sections, while the
Pacific Coast rights have been placed
with the same firm which handled his
st Elmo" so successfully in the far
West. So it looks as if "Holcomb re-
peats himself
All principal cities in the United States
and Canada are to have an opportunity
the coming season to enjoy that charm
ing operetta, The Spring Maid while
its melodies are still fresh and while it is
still at the height of its popular sue
cess. With the possible exception of
The Merry Widow" no foreign musical
work has so completely captivated New
York since ''Florodora" had its two-year
run. The tuneful Spring Maid" waltzes
two-steps, marches. and Choruses are
favorttes wherever Catchy melodies
are played and sung.
However. perhaps it is the charming
romance told in the opera about the
saucy Carlsbad Princess Bozena and the
dashing Hungarian Prince Aladar. giving
this VIennese masterpiece a delightful
storybook charm, that has made it so
irresistible.
1t was found that New York and Chi
cago would monopolize the time of Chris
tie Macdonald in The Spring Maid" for
at least two years. Accordingly, man
ayers Werba & Luesoher decided to
organize another company. as perfect in
every way as the New York organiza-
tion, to visit the rest OF the country
before the delicious Spring Maid" music
had been lobster-palaced and barrel-or-
gained to death.
It was their good fortune to find the very
artist needed for the captivating role
Of the princess This is the gifted Hun
garlan beauty, Mizzi Hajos. This little
song bird had sung the part in her ma
tive Budapest and had been declared
ideal IN the role by the composer, Helm |
rich Reinhardt, himself. Little Miss Hajos
is every inch of her the saucy princess. |
Blond, bright-eyed. and beautiful, she |
pictures the character as only a sweet |
voiced Hungarian comedienne could. Also, |
she has lived near the famous Carlsbad |
Spa and is acquainted with the spring |
girls, the dress of one of which the prin- |
cess assumes in the play in order to teach |
a lesson to the noble firt Aladar. She |
sings like bird and imparts a world of |
expression to the tender love waltz song, |
DAY Dreams" the playful Two Little |
Love Bees" duet, the Fountain Fay"
and other aIluring music numbers Of the /
score. Miss Hajos will make her Ameri- |
can debut in THE Spring Maid at At |
lantic City on August Z.
When 'Get-Rich-Quick wallingford" |
was first produced It had preliminary |
ry-outs in several towns prior to its |
initiative in Washington. Members of |
the company had worked hard rehearsing |
the Cohan play and were naturally key
ed up to high tension in anticipation |
OF Washington's verdict.
After the first act. which received a |
number OF vociferous curtain calls, Mr.. !
Hale Hamilton. at the request OF George |
NJ. Cohsn. stepped to the footiishts TO |
deliver a few words OF thanks.
What he was going 10 say has never |
reached the proofreader's desk But
what he did say wss this:
I'm sure I'm very glad 70 be hare !