New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-01
NEW MUSIC PLAY WINS
"0h! Oh! DeIphine' Given at
Knickerbocker Theatre.
CARYLL PROVIDES MELODY
McLellan's Libretto Shows He
Can Think in French and
Write in English.

Sprightly. irresponsible, altogether fas-
cinatlng. ooh! Oh! Delphlne" tripped her
capric!ous way into Broadway's favor
last night az the Knickerbocker Theatre
and gladdened the hearts OF many a dis
couraged worshipper at the shrine OF
the comic opera Thespis. All OF which
does not mean that the Ivan Carlyle. NJ.
s. Mcclellan operetta Is TO be recon-
mended TO the preceptresses OF young
ladies' serrinaries ss q beneficial after
moons entertainment, for "Oh! oh! Del
phine" was written for nm adult and
sophisticated public, with both a plot and
libretto that only unusual lightness OF
treatment saved from what might have
been incHcusabIe vulgarity. Yet Del
phine" was saved. and Mr.. Mcclellan once
more proved that he is man who can az
once write English and feel In French.
repetition OF the story would require
n telling as delicate as was Mr.. McLei-
lan's, so suffice II TO say that IL con-
cerned the fortunes OF two young men
who had married each others former
wives, which wives were all the time In
love with their first husbands, though not
at all averse to fiirtations by the way.
One OF the husbands was fat and con-
tinually unfortunate and tho other an
artist in search OF a perfect shoulder for
MS picture OF Venus Rising from the
Sea" There was also an elderly Don
Juan OF a colonel and q Persian beauty
who sold rugs and raised hob with hearts
generally. All OF this material furnished
him by the French original was sdmira-
bly, and amusingiy handled by Mr.. Mclcl-
Ian. Let Il be hoped that Broadway
several official ubrettists were there TO
listen and learn.
Mr.. Caryli's music. though echo!ng
much that he has given us in former
operas. was melodious and flowing and
carried on the story In characteristic
fashion. There was catchy melody IN
Can We Fer Forget and "Ohl on
Delphine" and humor In Everything
nj Home Except Your Wife" There was
also another song. why Shouldn't You
Tell Me That?" which came about as
near 10 the limit that even Broadway al
lows az anything heard on the Rlalto Tor
many moons. Luckily words failed al
the crucial moments. and though tho or
chestra spoke most expressively at these
iunctures II might be difficult to prove
tho immortality Of addles and q wood
wind choir
DeIphlnc herself was irnpersonated oy
Miss Grace Edmond n name unknown 10
Rroadway. but name which Will be
heard in tho future. unless managers
have lost their reason. She was alto
ge,her charming, pretty In face ard
figure, graceful in movement and IN
part that opened many pitfalls, avoiding
nil by her refinement and delicacy of
touch.
Frank Mcintyre was amusing az TIE
rnt Bouchotte, and Frank Doane, as the
mlddle-aged Don Juan. gave real imper-
sonation. A good word. too, should oe
gaid for the voice OF Miss Octavta
Brooke the only real voice OF the even
lng-a voice that did Justice TO her face
snd figure.
Then there was the chorus, AZ the APP
pearance Of which. even hardened nrst-
nighters rubbed their eyes and reached
for opera glasses. Victor's sextette OF
models made one wonder whether de-
cade had not dropped away and Flora
dora" was not on the boards again. As
10 the gowns. there wasn't a color or a
cut that Jared.
Yes "Oh. Oh! Delphine" is success,
good, rousing one--but maids under
thirty had better stay away. This was
the cast: