New-York tribune., 1913-12-30
THE CAST.

II will probably bring balm TO George
Edwards. the English producer, not 10
mention the more or less satisfied glo"
that will permeate the hearts OF the Amer
ican producers Of the English musical
farce. THE Girl on the Film to realize
this morning that. at last. and durlhs
this particularly drouthy musical coil-
edy season, England has sent over sho"
that will please not only that well known
critic. the tired business man, out MS
ennuied wife and all of his blase cnh-
dren.
England. YOU know. has been suffering
more or less silently for a long lohs
season from riot OF Americanism III I''
theatres and music halls, so II Is oh'y
fitting. not to say highly generous that
she should send rs such relresh'iie
musical farce as that which marked the
reha bllitatic1 OF the Forty-fourth street
Theatre last night.
Perhaps the greatest shock 10 greet
the theatregoer at this performance VIII
come AT the opening of the first act
for despite the suggestion OF the title the
costumes are not flmy, the chorus uosS
not parads about the audiences hedus'
nor does the comedy depend upon douoie
entendre What comedy there is' ana
there is plenty is brought out in Wholly
novel and entertaining manner by cast
who can both talk and act with some
grace.
The music az one may judge from the
cauinSp9 VINO nave
combined their art in composing t'e
score. is pleasing. and here and there en-
ceptionally good. And the book mas oeeii
cleyerly adapted from the German into
plot that stands out through the entire
maize Of song and dancing, most diH-
cult feat for any plot.
Winifred. or Freddy" as she is called
by her friends, is made a most charming
characted b. Emmy Wheelen. One even
forgives her for being in love with
moving picture actor, although II comes
hard at first. But George Grossmitl
plays the actor. and plays II with such
finish that one becomes at once inter
ested in the affair. Winifred can ma no
other means of being near her adored
one. so she engages herself, disguised as
a boy, 10 the Cinema Company, VINO are
making A special film OF Napoleon and
the AIiller's Daughter and lack a
drummer boy. AS a drummer boy VIM
fred discovers. because Of her command
of Italian. that sire must act as an inter-
prefer between her hero and dashins
signora, gracefully played and well sung
bv Mary Robson. A little strategy in
composing a love letter TO the signora
from her hero. rids Wnifred OF the ltal-
ian menace, and her way 10 the heart
OF the favorite actor is clear. She makes
the most of the opportunity. too and, oil
course. lands him in due season
Not however. after great many pleas
ing numbers have been sung and some re-
markably good dancing. Connie Ediss
sings some Of the best of the songs with
that brassy voice OF hers. One OF them
begins rather like "On the ground. but
as they are not listed in the programme
this is 4 mere guess. George Grossmith
does a remarkably good bit Of panto-
mime in his scene with the signora,
called very aptly "Cinemesperanto,' and
further delights the audience with bit
OF real moving picture work "hen lie
poses for the film OF Napoleon.
Oy-ra and Dorma Leigh were quite the
novelty of the performance with their
spirited and we'll staged tango in the
second act. Here after bit of essen
TALLY English humor about the impending
British invasion. the two performed an
advanced version of the popular dance
with tile aid OF dagger and a table that
was only equalled in interest by their
graceful waltz number In the last act.
All three acts were well staged and the
cast on the whole was quite up 10 some
OF the best OF our homegrown product.
Then. too there is a real lord in this, and
he plays the part OF Lord Ronny with
apparent ease Madeleine Seymour makes
Linda an attractive character, and the
rest OF the cast are equally we'll chosen.