The Washington times., 1912-05-03

the part probably contains less than q
score of lines, Miss Monaghan makes
1t one OF the particularly bright spots
of the first half of Ute second act,
which is entirely too draggy.
Everett Butterfeld and Miss Yurlxa
portray the parts OF the quarreling
Younger couple in a very capable man.
ner, while Miss Glendinning is cast IN
tne minor role OF the maid who causes
Frederick Forester stops being a
villain long enough this week to add
an excellent characterization of
country barrister, while Nina Melville
ita. Lewis Medbury, Pearl Hamlin,
Charles ID. Lane, Edward Morrissey,
Addison Smith, and Miss Virginia
Woodin, the latter two being Washing
ton amateurs, complete the cast.
A sober morning-after reflection leads
me to think that Because She Lowell
Him SO" gives an excellent opportunity
for the Butterfield Players to show
what they can do in TIE matter of char
acter roles, but that It is not much Of
a play to hold the interest of a stock
company audience.
ofenbach's Tales of Holman the
second half of this weeks bill of the
Abprn Opera Company at the New Ma
tional Theater is difficult, but the COM
last night. There IL little or no at
%bopns " in PS sRS the ordsr S oy
| acts, and having the "Antonia'' story
following the prologue, and the "Olym-
pia" story the closing act, was un-
necessary and Intellectual.
Miss Edith Helena was charming in
her dual role of Antonia and Giulietta.
and an enthusiastic audience attested
her popularity. This is Miss Helena's s
first appearance in Washington since
charmed local
audiences with her clear, high soprano
voice. The beauty Of some of her
duets with Hoffmann, Henri Leon, was
marrcd by the tendency Of Mr.. Leon to
be a little fiat on his higher notes.
Leon was earnest and convincing in his
role, but noticeable husklness In his
voice Is unpleasant. BY far the most
finished singer among the men is Ham
iiton Earle, who takes the triple part
OF DR.. Miracle, Antonia's evil genius,
Dapertutto, a sorcerer, and Coppelius.
Hebrew maker Of glass eyes. His
lower notes are rich and deep, and in
the first act he rendered the aria of
the sorcerer with marked ability.
Lena Mason Stars
! As Mechanical Doll.
One Of the most pleasing and notable
features of the evening was the work
of Lena Mason, as the mechanical doll
Olympia. She has excellent control
over her clear, flexible soprano voice,
and was forced to repeat her Song OF
Olympia" The parts of Crespel and
Spalanzani were taken by Joseph Flor
ian, who was a trifie stiff in the first
| two acts. but fitted more easily into his
| role in the last act. Phil Branson gave
| a most amusing picture as Franz, Cres-
peIs butler, and convulsed the audi.
ence in his role as Cocherille; attendan,
to Olympia The famous "Barcarolle.
which was heard in the second act, was
| given the usual encore, but was ever
more pleasing when played by the or
chestra between the acts.
| Miss Zoe Fulton, who sings this due
| with Miss Helena, takes the part o1
| Nicklausse, Hoffman's friend. The re.
mainder of the cast was acceptable, anc
| the settings appropriate. Tomorrow
night, Salvatore Sciaretu will sing the
| part Of Hoffman, and Miss Kirmes viii
take the dual roles of Antonia and
| Giulietta.
| The orchestra was under the direction
OF Almerico Vinaccia, to whom much
| of the success of last nights production
ia due JULIA MURDOCH.