The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-29

SARI IL AN tNsPEAkAHLE
DELIGHT TO EYE AND EAR.

Not since the memorabl time when
The Merry Widow" captured Rich
mond by storm has there been as
sumptuous enhancing or spectacular
a production ~ Henry ". Savage, or
any other manager for that matter
as We were privileged to witness last
night. when the much and aAxiously
awaited Hungarian operetta, esari,"
was performed ar the Academy. Upon
the personnel Of the cast. the chorus
the orchestra stage mcuntings and
costumes the dean Of American pro-
ducers has expended q small fortune
TO achieve that which he did here, as
in other cities-an instant and en-
phatic popular success, The story OF
the operetta, an entirely hegligib BILE
quantity in such an attraction. is con
cerned with the visit OF a French
count to the country home of an old
friend. Hungarian gypsy. whore he
falls in love with the Iatter's irascible
daughter. For comic opera reasons
the count has his friend together with
his daughter. son and fancee visit
Tim at his Paris home. thereby pro-
yiding opportunity for two picturesque
stage settings The story is In brief
a sort a modernized. set-to-musfc mod =
iHcatjon OF THE Tanning of the Shrew"
the counts experience and adventures
with women Of all sort sizes and de-
scriptjons enabling him TO finally win
over aud marry the boisterous -SarS
andd all ends we'll.
Dorothy WEBB as Sari scored a per-
sonai friumps. by her skilful. we'll
sustained portrayal of the somew hat
complex and difficult role Pretty. WV
acious, graceful, a capital conedierne
and an tndefatigahle worker. she made
quite Il captivating heroine. And add
An e. e. F,,l
and accomplished dancer. Charles
Meskins. who win be remem hered as
the second Prince Danilo to play Rich
mond. is the French count. Mr.. Mea-
kius. although he has taken on many
pounds and practically lost his sing
ing voice. is still a light comedian Of
parts and has personality and meth
DDS mat ct him admirably for the
role and his work is distinctly pleas
ing at ali times. J. X Murray gives
an exceptionally nne character por-
travail OF Pail RACE. the Hungarian,
and sings and acts with feryor and
esrnestuess AS his son. II. w. Marsh
displays superb tenor voice of adequate
range and uncommon sweetness, de-
cidedly the best voice Of the company.
and is heard to fine advantage in the
duets. Love Has Wings" and the de-
ljcious softly Through the Summer
Night. May Murray is the JOlfeka
thoroughly satisfying and capable
with a very sweet soprano Frank
Harrington as Cadeux Is the eccentric
comedian, hard working and funny now
and then. large well-trained and
Sorgeously dressed chorus complete
number OF bewildering beautiful stage
pictures while the big travelling or
chestra is directed by the untiring and
hard-working director, John X. Rritz
in most competent style. Emmerich
kalman is responsible for the score
typically Hungarian, fascinating in its
beauty. now weird and wild. now
dreamy in its waltz movement. abound
ing in tunefui stra ms and never firing
delight to the ear, OF the most pop
ular numbers. Loves Own Sweet
Song" introduced near the close, we
had all too little. This and the whole
opera are well worth a second hear
ing and there are two performances
left See one of them by all means
unless YOU would miss one of the sea-
sons best attractions.