New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-26
At THE VARIETIES
David BeIaSCo's Drums of
Dude" Rolls to Success.
MADAME -? MAKES DEBUT
Masked Singer Is Well Received
by Audience at Fifth
Avenue Theatre

Drums rolled ominously at the COLONIAL
Theatre yesterday afternoon. They were
THE Drums of Dude" and were a part Of
dramatic playlet which David BeIasco
presented for the first time in New York
to the accompaniment Of splitting guns
glowing lights and clouds Of smoke. Inc
SILVER they brought to the splnes Oh sen
sitive souls In the audience was trio
ute to the producing art of Mr.. Bclasco,
whose astuteness in selecting that whlch
will appeal in spectacular fashion 70 the
hearts of a hero-liking public was once
more demonstrated. The fact 'Ihds the
playlet was written by Austin strong
counts less than the fact that II owes
it's red fire TO David Belasco.
There is a thrill, in fact, half a Dozen
in this little play of the Sepoy mutny
under English rule IN india. 1t tells the
story OF the treacbery Of the natives ana
OF the heroism of two English officers
who are marked for massacre. or course
the presence OF charming heroine Whoh
one OF the officers loves does not deiract
from the tenseness Of the situation, which
is saved, fortunately for the peace OF the
audience, by the arrival Of the necessary
off-stage troops.
AS IS usually the case with a Belasco
production, the acting is more than ado
quite II T.. J. Radcliffe, who has acted
many a hero and Villain in past melo-
dramas would indulge I'm fewer heroes.
especially in his love making, he would
preserve the spirit of the playlet better.
The fact that he reaches the "oig'' mo-
ments of the play, however, absolves him
Of much.
Digby Bell in a sketch, ut Happened
In Topeka" by George V. Hobart, FUR
nished the comic contrast on the bhL
which also includes the Jordan Girls
Gordon and Max, the Langdons in
travesty, "A Night on the Boulevard"
George Lyons and Bob Yosco. Lee White
and George Perry, Arthur DEACON in
songs, and the Four Royals.
The interest Of the afternoon at the
Fifth Avenue Theatre yesterday was CEN
tired I'm the masked singer who submitted
her voice without the association OF name,
fame or introducing impresario TO the
]
Announced as an American soprano with
European training and reputation, specu-
lation ran riot as TO who the singer might
be, but the secret has been well kept and
the mask did the rest.
Mime. -? proved 70 have an unusually
sympathetic voice, with its best notes in
the middle range. The caro- Nome"
from "Rigoletto," which was her first Sc
lection required more dramatic fire than
her voice naturally has and more leNlbll-
ity than II has yet attained, but in the
"Jocelyn" Lullaby and particularly in the
favorite old ballad II Hear You Calling"
which she offered as an encore, she sang
with rare sweetness Of tone.
Whether they 1T well or III with the
star feature OF the programme, however.
the other acts are clever and entertaining
Master Gabriel In the one-act comedy
Little Kick" proved a distinct draw"
while Miss Chadwicks dancing was
another winner. Dave Ferguson, the story
telling comedian; Una Clayton and her
players in the comedy "a Child Shall
Lead Them; Conlin, Steele and Carr in
THE Follies OF Vaudeville; Hal Stevens
In protean pageant and Hart and john
son IN dark" comedy were others on a
tip-top bill.
His Japanese Wife," in which Valerie
Bergere presents her familiar character
ization OF maiden from old Japan, IS