The Washington herald., 1913-12-30
AT THE THEATERS LAST NIGHT
NEW NATIONAL.
.sSari."

"Sari.'
"Ssri," the Hungarian operetta, which
represents the first new production Of
the present season to be offered by
Henry W. Savage merits all the en-
thusiasm accorded 1t by large audi
ence at the New National Theater last
night.
A succession of lifting melodies by
Emmerich Kalman have been strung
upon a thread of a story by Julius Will
helm and Fritz Grunbaum, adapted for
the English stage by c. c. S. Gushing
and z. =. Heath, staged by George
Marion, and presented to the public by
an excellent cast of singers, headed
by the diminutive Hungarian prima
donna, Mizzi Hajos, combination
which stands for a light opera triumph
which bids fair to rival the success Of
The Merry Widow" with which Mr..
Savage first started the American
vogue for Viennese waltz music.
It is something of a coinctdent that
little Miss Hajos who made her Ameri-
can debut a little over two years ago,
in The Spring Maid" should have had
in her support Blanche Dufield, Harry
Davenport, and Charles Meakins, VINO
with Carl Stall and Wilmuth Merkyl'
are seen in the important roles of the
present production.
Miss Hajos appears in the first act in all
the simplicity of her native Hungarian
village, just as an unsophistcated noun
tain lassie in the plainest OF plain lrochs'
with hair sIicked back and braided down
her small back in one long, stin, uncom-
promising plait. Even with so unattract-
i've an attire and coiffure there was never
an instant last night when the little star
was Oh the stage that she failed TO make
her personality the center OF interest. A
little shrug a stormy scOwl, the lift of an
eyelash, the flash of a winsome smile, all
the little tricks which go to make up the
thing we call charm, and of which Miss
Haios is the natural possessor, make her
"Sari'' of the first act a pure and simple
delight.
Then behold the little maid come to
Paris in the gorgeous holiday attire of
her Hungarian village, which makes folk
stare and snicker, for the setting now is
that of a ballroom in the home of Count
Irini. where a Garingly gOwned assem-
blage of gay Parisiennes represent the
last word in sartOrial madness
At the suggestion of the count, Mizzi
dons q shimmering gown or satln ana
silver but whether in the quaint attlre
OF her native village or in an elegant
creation of the French modiste Miss
Hajos is always appealing. singing and
dancing and insinuating her way straight
into the hearts of her auditors.
Her "HazaZaa'' number. in which she
is assisted by Charles Meakins, strikes
the most original note of the musical
schedule. and furnishes opportunity for
dance of extraordinary comlcailty' quaint
ness and originality.
j. Humbrd Duffey's rare tenor was
heard to marked advantage in his Love
Has Wings" number, and Softly
Through the Summer Night" in both n
which he is ably assisted by Miss Blanche
Duffield's clear soprano, scoring last nsht
a distinctive hit in both tunetul melo-
uiCs.
To Pail RACE. the Gypsy leader of the
Hungarian village. interpreted by Carl
Stall, falls litlting number entitled
My Faithful Stradiwari," in which he
is assisted by Mr.. ROder. Mr.. Mcrkyl,
ard Mr. Mcakins, but the completely
original waltz theme, which has been
heard in every European capital, comes
near the end of the second act, and Is
entitled, Loves Own Sweet Song. in
terprcted by Miss HajOs and Mr.. Meakins,
the little star enrbuing it with that same
magnets charm of personality and ten
derneSs of voice which characterizes her
vork throughout the piece.
All through the two acts of "Sari' the |
music is blended with the native Hun |
ga rian tunes, including the national air, |
which is used for the ascension of the |
first curtain.
The operetta is muscianly compost |
tion, free from syncOpated rag and clap |
trap. The COMEDY element. which is in |
the hands q Mr.. Davenport, is of minor |
consequence. being quite Overshadowed |
by the quaint personality of Miss HajOs, |
the entirely delightful! music, and the |
lavish sartorial and scenic effects. |
''Sarf'' is undoubtedly the most meri- |
torious musical piece which Washing |
tonians have seen this season. J. c. NJ.