Evening star., 1915-02-02
Belasco.

The Lilac Do nino." which won en-
thusiastic plaud.ts at the Belasco
Theater last night, comes to Washine-
ton in 4 state of serene completion.
The ragged edges which SO often call
for apology are absent, and the enor-
nous equipment Is handled with the
utmost precision.
II there Is anything which the mod
ern amusement seeker enjoys thas
The Lilac Domino" fails to introduce.
lmpresario Dipple will no DOUBT go ote W
sec where he would fnd room for II.
The aggregation of sparkling fancies
occupies q more extensive snare oi MI
evening than would be perinlt.eo auS
Mr. Dipple is the first impressario 70
visit Washington in n long time, ana
his presence here is only incidehtai' L.
inasmuch as The Lilac Domino. nav, ~
ing conquered New 1oIh' .;h,,,o f-om
it's way to claim admiring trio4te iron,
all that enormous territory which IS
bounded on tho east by Jersey Nits.
IL is a long time since Washington mas
had an opportunity to see Ire reai hem i'm,
none here since Oscar Han'merstein
stepped forward and suggested glad
some possibilities OF grand opera sea
son for the Capital city. Mr.. pppie
make. no suggestions of this kind. but
confines himself strictly to practical
purposes The presentation obviously
has the benefit of a SUPERVISION Which
combines experienced methoo WIN ar
THE Lilac Domino" is not a grand
opera: it is not even opera comique:
not even comic opera. 1t is nttle OF
all Of them, animated by the ldea, nrst
Of all. Of providing an evenings enter enter
for clean diversion without an oppres-
sively serious line Of suggestion. There
can be no contention that "The Lilac
Domino" has been sighted on the score
rhe production is one gladstone. gilt
rering climax after another. develop
ing from the adventures of reckless
,amesters who concoct mercenary
marriages in order to satisfy their
sings deliciously, with studlous
French accent and a fetching vivacity
of manner. A young tenor pours OUT
tones Of the sweetest purity and makes
al his gestures gss.arn,os AZ the proper june
Friends of long and esteemed recol.
lection fit gleefully through scenes or
Gallo gayety. Somehow we seem to
know the Viscomte de Brissac. the fas-
Count Andre. Fiji, Mimi. Celeste, Pier
rette and all the rest of them. They
have haunted the cafes and bathrooms
of lyric comedy along with the mar
ing German dialect that overwhelms
both his f1ddling and his gypsiness.
But never before have we met them in
surroundings of such splendid gayety.
In its magnitude ''The Lilac Domino"
might be called a three-ring circus.
But the comparison would be odiouS
In spite of its heterogeneous material
a fire sense OF harmony and proportion
prevails. 1t is as gorgeous as sunset,
quaint as Dresden china and delicate as
carved ivory. 1t harks back to the days
when the frohcsome fancy of ]. Cheever
Goodwin created comedians almost at
VIII The gorgeous stage setting permits
lnomentary expectations that Francis
Wilson or De Wolf Hopper will step
forth and lend some pulsins thrill OF
emphatic fun through the elaborate
structure to make IT comic opera, indeed.
prances mirthfully upon the scene 10
centralize the spotlight. The perform
ance Is all spotlight Instead of one
ccmedian there are three-or were
there four? or even five? or six? or
seven?
A stroke OF the broadest travesty is in
troduced in a burlesque ballet. 1t is
broad burlesque, fun that elicits roars
OF laughter. yet 1t is introduced so clev-
er!y that the judicious have no cause
10 weep. II is a magnificent travesty on
the old-tine grand opera advertisement.
Even moving pictures have their share
IN the display. Some beautiful color
~ Nice. form a diversion which agreea-
bly, supplements the intermezzo by an
orchestra of grand opera proportions
and concert proficiency Even were the
stage entertainment less gratifying per
Torrance the orchestra alone would con-
sutute most charming entertainment
The Lilac Domino" is magnificent
vehicle. The idea which the vehicle car
ries is not important any more than is
the identity Of the young lady who
poses gracefully in the gilded chariot OF
street pageantry.
From the beautifully illuminated back
drop TO the outermost edge of the or
chestra. the entertainment is a revela-
ton Of stratified delights 1t is artis-
really nourishing as a club sandwich and
as allurinSly colorful as a pousse cafe
].