The Washington times., 1915-12-28
NATIONAL.

Julia sanderson, just as charming
just as winsome as ever; Joseph Cav
thorn, funnier than ever, and Donalt
Brian, as pleasing and graceful in his
dancing as playgoers have ever seer
him-the Frohman trumvirate of musi
cal comedy stars-opened the new
Vienese operetta "Sybil" at the Ma.
tional last night.
The new musical play is one of those
melting pots of melody. feminine
beauty, color. wonderful gowns and at
tractive settings. Fer Miss Sandersor
and Mr.. Cawthorn the play is probably
the best vehicle either has had. Cor
geous gowns, elaborate settings and q
remarkably pretty chorus from a back
ground that add materially to the
charms of Miss Sanderson. which made
her such a favorite in THE Sunshine
Girl" and THE Girl From Utah"
Mr.. Cawthorn is given an opportunity
for free rein with that special brand ol
humor he uses. 1t was musical comedy
With a kind Of comedy that was reall!
funny. The audience literally roared al
the time Mr.. Cawthorn was on the stage
Mr., Brian was not given the oppor-
tunity for dancing that ne had in some
of his psUvfous plays, but the two short
exhiboe1cns he did give provoked encor"
after encore.
"sybil' IL an operetta with more OF a
plot than many a musical comedy that
has been seen in recent years. The
music, bv Victor Jacob is not only
tuneful, but is really above the accepted
standard for light musical plays.
The plot deals with a complex situa-
ton. in which Sybil Renaud. an opera
singer, and her lover. Capt. Paul Pet
row, an officer Of the Russian Royal
Guards, become involved with the Grand
Duke Constantine and his wife. Miss
Sanderson is Sybl. who. with her man
sger. Otto Spreckles tJoseph Cawthorn
Ia touring Russia.
The first scene is laid in the office OF
the Grand Hotel. Bomsk, Russia. Cap
tain Petrow has deserted his post he
cause Of his love for Syhil. The grand
duchess Is expected at. the hotel the
same evening. and great preparations
have been made for her entertainment.
Just as Captain Petrow is placed under
arrest as a deserter. with prospect OF
heing sent to Siberia for life. Sytii i'm
personates the grand duchess and saves
him. The events that follow compel the
party to go through with the deception
and attend the grand ball that has been
arranged for the duchess.
The grand duke donald brian ar
rives unexpectedly at the hotel Just att
er the party of inposters has gone to
the ball Captain Petrow ACCOMMODATING
Sybil as her official aide. The luke
gocs to the ball. and, becoming intat-
hated with Sybil on sight. decides to
prolong the dcceptioE. Tho second scene
Is in the ballroom. and the duke: before
the assembled guests, accepts Sybil as
the duchess. his wife.
The ducness, arriving late at the
hotel. is sought out by Captain Pc
trow, and accompanies him to the
ball. where she. 100, en,ers mo Ia.
tangled situation commenced unWit.
tinEly by Sybil and her manager and
taken up by The duke. 4 he idst ac,
shows another room in the hotel
The situation is explained to the sat
isfaction of all. and the duke. partly
because of his wife's pleadings and
partly because Of his infatuation foi
Sybil. decides not to punish Captain
petrow, and everything ends happily
AS all of the scenes are laid in Rus
sia. the costumes and settings are In
accord The handsome gowns worn
by the women show the latest vogue
in the Russian military style. while
the uniforms worn by the men are
most elaborate.
Miss Sanderson made q, decided hi
in the song "rhe Golonei Of the Grim,
sang a Charming duet, s"LlIt YOU
Eyes to Mine"
Mr. Cawthorn was called back ,
dozen times when he .,snc n ta'
Dance With Everybody But My Wife.
Md just to show the audience ina
they couldn't put anything over OF
him. he had a new verse for each
encore.
Miss Josephine Whittell who, as th'
grand duchess. MADE her entrance latt
in the play, has a most acceptable
voice. She gave a pleasing interpre
tation and shared the honors with thu
stars while on the stage.
The book "S!bil' is by Max BrodN
and Frank Martos. with the Enslisf
version by Harry Graham and II. 3
Smith. 1t Is one Of the plays that fur
nish mighty good evenings entertain
ment. and the fact that even thousf
the curtain did not go down for thu
finale until midnight. the audience KEEP
applauding for more, is good indica
tion of the way it was received.
1t is probable, that The, the piece will %, b.
dialogues and possibly some OF thu
music. But this will prove somethins
OF task, as It will be hard to deter
mine Just which of the t'tneful number!
should be taken out.