The Washington times., 1915-04-06
COLUMBIA.

When the pleasure of anticipation
can be completely forgotten in the sat
isfaction of its realization, one Of the
keenest forms OF human enjoyment has
been experienced. This appears to be
the state in which the largest audi
ence of the present season left the
Columbia Theater last evening after
assisting the Columbia Musical Stock
Company inausurate Its season in THE
Rose Maid" The desire of the company
to please and the intention of the mass
OF people who crowded the thcater to
be pleased were both realized-and the
mutual realizat tioh paid a merited trib-
Jse to the Columbia management which
had brought them so pleasantly to-.
gether.
Srhe opening OF a spring and summer
season mas seldom been more auspicious
than that of last evening. THE Rose
Maid was an unusually happy selec--
ton for the opening bili. 1t is one Of
those combinations of real music and
real comedy that Justify the invention
or the term by which ii is called. With
plot that does not become frayed at
any time during its two acts, 1t offers
opportunity for acting and singing that
are out of the ordinary, and. as pre-
far above the ordinary.
The story deals with n penniless
duke who becomes involved with
tpio OF money lenders who form them
|
to, rich American. when they are
Informed that his wealthy uncle has
been presented with another heir. The
daughter of the dukes housekeeper,
| the rose maid, Is the only friend that
| sticks to the duke when his expec-
tatIons OF wealth are swept away.
vate revenge of professional chap
| eron on one of the money lender 3,
TIE rose maid" poses as an American
ihillionairess-and the happy ending
is provided for.
| If the Columbia company served no
Other purpose. it would have provided a
sufficient justification for itself through
| its Introduction of Elinor Henry to the
Washington public. Perhaps this
pretty, vIvacious young singer has been
here before-but she has never been
| given opportunity to display her un-
usual personality and voice as was pro-
! nights production. Miss Henry Is just
about the type the imagination would
| picture rose maid" and she has a
smile that will become rather famous
! in Washington as the season progresses.
| With full complement of the require
| mcnts for her work, she won her audi
| ence last evening on her first appear
| ance on the stage, and there was no
| time when she was not the most import
| ant figure in the piece.
| In addition to real prima donna.
which attends to the music part of the
type of shows to be presented. the Co
possess a real comedian in the per-
son OF w. J. Mccarthy, who SCENE 4
to be second in Importance to the
leading woman in the estimation OF
the audience. Mr. Mccarthy was cast
as one of the money lenders and with =
out seeming to obtrude himself he
was nevertheless the center of every
scene OF which he formed part. His
work was clean. consistent. honest
| comedy.
| Carl lIaydn tho topor ~ tho cor,
pany. appeared bit robust for the role
Of the duke. but he gave a pleasing in
depreciation of the music, and has a
personality that makes friends. Dor
othy Walker and Alice Bentley, playing
the second leading parts. made a good
impre both with their singing and
their beauty. Lucille Saunders had but
one song. but seemed TO be possessed of
the same deep contralto voice which
gained her fame with the Bostonians.
| Philip Sheffield. remembered here for
his previous work at the Columbia with
Iharlotte walker and Edwin Arden,
made a pleasing juvenile. singing and
dancing in a way that promises well
for future productions. Harry Short
as the uncle; Orfee Vanasse, David An
drada. and Fred c. Palmer the remain
ing comedians OF the company. proved
themselves fully able to take care OF
such roles.
Not the least of the attractions OF
The Rose Maryland consequently OF
future productions by the company. was
the appearance of the Ramsdell twins
in their dancing specially. This agile
couple not only work out the intricate
steps of modern dances. but are experts
at toe dancing as well.
The chorus includes twenty Young
women with good looks and voices and
that appearance of being thoroughly al
home on the stage. which enhances tho
value of any musical production The
male chorus was also well equipped as
TO voice and looks and stage presence
The orchcstration of the opera, under
the direction of Frank Vaudeville was
all that could be desired.
GARDNER MACK.