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

Julia sanderson. just as charming.
just as winsome as ever; Joseph Cav
thorn, funnier than ever, and Donald
Brian. as pleasing and graceful in his
dancing as playgoers have ever seen
him-the Frohman triumvirate 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 sanderson
and Mr.. Cawthorn the play is probably
the best vehicle either has had. Cor
Reous gowns, elaborate settings and
remarkably pretty chorus from 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 OF
huroor he uses. It was musical comedy
With a kind Of comedy that was really
funny. The audience literally roared all
the time Mr.. Cawthorn was on the stage.
Mr.. Brian was not given the oppor-
tunity for dancing that he had in some
Of hia N Vlous plays, but the two short
exhiOo he did give provoked encore
after encore.
"svbiP' IL an operetta with more Of
Tiot than many a musical comedy that
has been seen in recent years. The
music by Victor jacob. is not only
tunefIil. but is really above the accepted
standard for light musical plays.
The plot deals with complex situa-
ton. In which Sybil Renaud. an opera
singer, and her lover, Can't Paul Pet
row. an officer Of the Russian Royal
Guards, become involved with the Grand
Duke Constantine and his wife. Miss
Sanderson is Sybil, who, with her man
sgef, Otto spreckles tJoseDh Cawthorn)
IL touring Russia.
the Grand Hotel. Bomsk, Russia. Can
tain Petrow has deserted his post ne,
cause Of his love for Syhi. The grand
duchess Is expected At the hotel the
have been made for her. entertainment
Just as Captain Petrow Is placed under
arrest as q deserter with prospect OF
personates the grand duchess and saves
him. The events that follow compel the
party to 90 through with the deception
and attend the grand ball that has been
arranged for the duchess.
The grand duke donald Brlan) ar
rives unexpectedly at the hotel Just att
er the marty of lmposterS has gone to
the ball Gaptain petroW accomhpanyIn1S mh S,1lS
goes to the ball, and, becoming lntat-
uated with Sybil on sight. decides to
prolonE the deception. Tho second scene
Is in the ballroom. ana the duke. before
the assembled guests, accepts Sybil as
THE ducness, arriving late at the
hotel, is sought out-byt Captain Pc
trOw, and accompanies him to the
ball. where she, 100, enlers into tue
tangled situation commenced unwit-
tinEiy by Sybil and her manager and
taken up by the duke. he Iast act
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 for
Sybil, decides not to punish Captain
Petrow, and everything ends happily.
AS ali 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
most elaborate.
Miss Sanderson made a decided hit
in the song "The Colonel of the Grim
son Hussars." With Mr.. Brian she
sang a charming duet ~"Lltt Your
Mr.. Cawthorn was called back q
dozen times when he sang \ Can
Dance With Everybody But My Wife. -
Nn0 just 10 SNOW IHe duulShCS lhdl
they couldn't put anything over ON
him. he had a new verse for each
encore.
Miss Josephine whittell. who, as the
grand duchess. MADE her entrance late
in the play, has a most acceptable
voice. She gave a pleasing interpre-
tation and shared the honors with the
stars while on the stage.
The book "Sybil" is by Max Brody
and Frank MaItos, with the English
III Il
Smith. 1t is one of the plays that fur
nish a mighty good evenings entertain
ment. and the fact that even though
the curtain did not go down for the
finale until midnight. the audience kept
applauding for more, is good indica-
tlon of the way II was received.
1t is probable that the piece will be
shortened by eliminating some of the
dialogues and possibly some OF the
music. But this will prove somethiHH
OF a task, as It will be hard to deter
mine just which OF the t'ineful numbers
should be taken out.