The Washington herald., 1914-03-10
NATIONAL.
.slaids of Athena

After a couple Of performances in At
lantic City last week. Henry w. Savage
gave his second operate production OF
the season at the New National Theater
last evening in his presentation OF MAIDS
of Athens" a Viennese piece representing
the first collaboration of Victor Leon and
Franz Lehar since, some ten years ago.
The Merry Widow achieved sush a
stupendous success for Mr.. Savage. be-
ginning the American popularity for the
Viennese school of operetta-
When Mr.. Savage decided upon the pro-
duction of maids of Athens" he was
besieged by many for permission to maze
the English translation of the book. Sc
Iecting eventually Miss Carolyn Wells
because her happy gift for yersihcatien
and the subtlety of her humor were guar
antees that this latter quality would not
be lost from the original manuscript
titled the producers judgment, Tor tne
comedy is entirely the result of her bon
mots.
The Leon-Lehar score covers wide
range of running the ganrrt OF lifting
melody, and at times rising to classical
heights keeping well within the Spirit
Of the slight thread Of romantic story
upon which the nineteen musical num-
bers are hung.
We find ourselves, at the rise Of the
first curtain. in the palace OF the Prince
of Parnes In Athens, Greece, where Capt
Williams Penn Harris, Of the U. S. s.
Oklahoma, falls in love with Parnes
sister, the Princess Photini, and asks
her for her hand, which is promptly re-
fused, unless. indeed, Harris will capture
the king of the "Firebrands Of Hellas.
who is no other than the prince himself.
The second act is the mountain home
of the .'Firebrands.J where the beauti-
full brigand chorus quite captivated last
nights audience and where We see most
realistic mountains peopled by outlaws,
of whom the prince himself is the secret
chief
On board the U. s. ship Oklahoma. the
scene of the third act where the love
affair of Harris and the Princess land
also of the Prince of Parnes and young
American tourisD is Strengthened out we
have again an impressive setting for the
dancing and the singing Of well-bal-
anced company.
Miss Josephine whittell has the role Of
the Princess Photini, taking the place of
Miss Bernice Mershon. who was seen in
the part in Atlantic City, and who was
announced to appear here. Miss Whittell
son. and was quite at ease in her i'm
portant role despite the sudden change
which gave her the opportunity. Her
Bid Me Forget number, in which she
was assisted by James Harrod Capt.
Harris) and Loves Captive" were her
distinctive song hits last evening, and
quite deserved the enthusiastic applause
which they won.
Miss Leila Hughes. as the A merican
girl tourist. has the big waltz theme of
Maids of Athens in when the Heart
Is Young and sings it with a delicacy
and charm that is delightful
The comedy is supplied by Bert Gil
bert. W. S. Percy, and Marie Hogan,
all three of whom are excellent both in
their fun-making and their musical con-
tributfons, the latter including THE
Clever Detective" Rosie" and "One or
Another"
Supporting members of the company
are entirely adequate and the chorus is
young, pretty and possessed of real
voices as well as the knowledge of just
how to exhibit the most stunning stage
frocks of the present season.
Maids of Athens has no stella relies.
and no striking dance novelties, but II
furnishes many successive melodies of
lifting quality: is presented by an ex-
celIent cast. and has been staged by
George Marion with effective costliness.
Mr.. Marion accompanied Mr.. Savage
last evening at the first Washington per-
formance of the new operetta. Miss Caro-
lyn Wells was also in the audience, and
the center of much attention.
]. c. NJ.