Evening star., 1912-11-19
New National.

| If there be anything discordant about
1.-THE Woman Haters' Club it is confined
exclusively to its rather cumbersome
name, for in everything else there is a
| charm of melody, the spirit of freshness
and novelty and the delight of excellent
comedy. A splendid audience greeted its
| first presentation at the National Thea
| ter last evening, and began to express its
warm appreciation from the very outset.
| 1t is both play and an opera. The play
| has a plot. an original and an Ineligible
one that never loses its identity, and the
| music is of the kind that fingers. Three
dainty duets, with graceful dancing ac-
Le5mpaniment in which the charming
Miss Dolly Castles, from far-aff Austria
liza and Joseph Santley participate, are
| exquisite not only in their appropriate
connection with the plot itself and in the
| beauty of their music, but in the unique
treatment OF the themes by Edmund
| Eysler, the composer. And this little Aus
| tralian is a substantial asset to the pro-
duction. Her smile is delightful, her vim
and vivacousness untiring and she is in
| the picture all the time.
| But Miss Castles is not by any means
| all there is to ''The Woman HaterS' Club
| production. Leslie Kenyon, as Lord Ever
| bee, gave the first real impersonation of
! an Englishman. with all his quaint con-
| ceits and mannerisms, that has come this
way in generation. His automobile:
| "Clarice, was to him the fountain of
! thought for comparison with the woman
| he tried hard to win, and finally gave up
| with touch of real pathos that was as
| exquisite as 1t was unexpected And Miss
/ Sophye Barnard, as Marie, the sweetheart
| of the woman hater, with her magnificent
| mezzo-soprano voice that played with
| high c with as little effort as the ordi-
| nary singer dallies with the middle reg
| lister, was also distinct feature. Her
cnr,cy hn, full Gov MOI
| haps in being bit too robust at times.
Snitz Edwards, one of the most laugh
| able German impersonators of his time,
| will be credited with many smile that
| chased away the wrinkles as it broadened
| into something more pronounced. Walter
| Lawrence, as Maj. John Won Essenburg,
| president of the famous club of grouches.
was also an enjoyable quality, both In his
singing and acting. while Joseph Santley,
as his nephew, was the ideal boy that
was taught by the charming Tilly, Miss
Castles. that woman is to love and not to
hate. Lou Anger, as Spitzki, the major 8
servant, was also something Of laugh
getter with his low comedy, sometimes a
bit too turbulent but at ali times comical
The story of the plot has been told.
Maj. Won Essenburg, disgruntled after
love quarrel with his sweetheart, be-
comes embittered and POUNDS a club of
woman haters, into which he finally
tries to draw his young nephew. By a
strange will he has been left the heir
of half a castle, the other half going to
Tilly's mother. the Baroness Won Eber-
hardt. In womanly resentment she
gathers a large and attractive coterie Of
women, and with them engages the club
In battle royal in the principal audi
ence hail. which is divided. according to
the terms of the WILL directly through
the middle with dead line Tilly.
who must be remembered as Miss Castles,
is the undoing of the club. She wins
over the young nephew and to gain the
consent of his uncle wheedles him into
believing she loves him. He. however.
although strongly hating" still loves his
old sweetheart Marie, who appears upon
the scene to buy the Baroness Won Eber-
hardts half of the castle. A lost letter.
discovered after all the remainder of the
club had deserted for some fair or
fascinating face, even the crouch OF
grouches-and he was Snitz Edwards
opens the vista of reconciliation and
finally unites the major and his sweet
heart, Marie. The operetta is in three
acts. The cast and company are admir-
able.
With scenic appointment and beauty
of costumes, THE Woman HaterS' Club"
is lavishly endowed. George v. Hobart
is entitled to great credit for his Ameri-
can book and lyrics. from the Germon of
Leo Stein and Karl Lindau. but to Ed
mund Eysler. for his delightful music
that ranges from that of the better class
of musical comedy into operatic realms
with equal charm and beauty grateful
| remembrance will always go from those
who thoroughly enjoyed the performance
of last evening.