New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-03
"TANTAL|z|NC TOMMY
Dr. Felix's Rhythmical Music
Canes to Criterion.
ELIZABETH BRlCE LEADS
Vaudeville Favorite Appears
in a Fairly Pleasing
Musical Play.

The chase Of reluctant man bv--in these
5svs-all-conouerin woman was get TO
,,rs,c end performed last night at the
Criterion Theatre. This time Diana OF
,ts chase Is "sweetie." or at least the
5epShter u manufacturer OF caramels,
while the pursued serves art as clerk
IN the Ministry of Fine Arts. la Petite
Cbocolatiere" was the name of the orig
,nsl comedy by Paul Gavault from which
the plot OF the present piece was drawn.
As THE Richest Girl" an English adapt
alton OF the French play, II was given
here several seasons ago with Marie Doro
in the title part.
Tommy is chocolate covered. candy
coated tomboy. who always gets her own
way-ln the end. For that reason she is
an ideal figure for musical comedy. be-
cause. Of course. she cannot in any event
get what she wants before the end. In
'Tantal!zing Tommy" the final kiss and
the final curtain are practically simuta-
neous. Through three acts and several
pretty scenes Tommy pursues the fine
arts clerk in a vain attempt at fasci-
mating him. and lands him only by don
ring a silken Quaker dress that seems in
the play TO be The first step toward en-
tering convent.
Although the story OF the play is eS-
tremely slight and the comedy supplied
by Tommy's father and by the Under
Secretary 10 the Minister OF Fine Arts is
al but unbearable, there are many en-
1oyable features in the little play which
distinguish Il from the average musical
comedy. The work OF George Marion In
arranging the musical numbers and de-
ylsing the simple but effective dances
which followed each one was unusually
original. The dances were neither per-
iunctory DOR meaningless. as IL the case
almost invariably In present day musical
pieces They were all based on simple
themes. the meaning for which WAC
drawn from the Idea in the music Just
sung. The song Just Like YOU" duet
IN the first act between Tommy and her
dancing and half acting. which deserved
the enthusiasm it received
Elizabeth Brice, we'll known TO vaude-
: Vile audiences in the popular team OF
Brlce and King, bloomed anew last night
as the leading figure IN the new musical
comedy. She played Tommy with her
usual unhinching good spirits. but in the
rather spasmodlc style OF the vaudeville
player who rushes down TO the footlights,
leans forward and vigorously punts her
songs and specialties over into the glis-
tening eyes OF her audience. Miss Brice
has a nice voice, and she sang a song
called Fairy Bells" particularly vel.
Her celebrated glance and smile and her
sliding walk were also cheerfully IN evil
lence.
George Anderson, as the hunted hero,
Paul Normond. was best when the pot
allowed him 10 look agreeable. PoutinS
and petulance, which he felt were re-
uuired OF him most Of the time. make
him most unattractive game to pursue.
Upon Dallas Wexford and Robert Pithin
FELL the obligation to be funny without
the aid either OF lines or situation, Nat
Eraly, they fell back on makeup and
ecoentriciues which showed a frenzied
desire to make good" But that was all.
Dorothy Webb made her chief stab at
fame in a naughty little song which
made several members of the audience
bite their nails for very nervousness.
Miss Webb sang II well. too, and danced
with spirit Her partner, Bin, the
chauffeur. played by Harry Clark, danced
very skilfully.
Dr. Hugo Felix, the composer. was
present 20 conduct the overture 10 the
third act, which ne did with modest
mlen His part of "Tantalizing Tommy
Is by far the best OF it. His music has
rhythm and harmony. and several of the
songs, Of which the chief is the waltz
nnpoeticaily known as Irish stew" are
doomed TO easy popularity.
When the many French phrases on the
programme are edited and revised for
spelling and general usage all will be
well enough at the Criterion.