The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-03-14
Princess Tra-la-la" Fine
Example of Viennese Music
Offers Tender Romance Co.
herently Told in a Setting
Of Haunting Melodies That
Are Well Sung by an Ex-
cellent Cast.
By JULIA CHANDLER.


Into the Inn Of the Silver Lion strolls
one day the Princess Marie on a lark.
She is accompanied by her protesting
Lady in Waiting who approves neither
the incognito nor its serious conse-
quences.
Taking the pair for domestics indulging
an extravaganza on their day off, Mkt,
head waiter Of the-silver Lion. becomes
prodigiously familiar with Her Royal
Highness, even conhding to her that he
has been forced into his present mental
position through disappointment in the
expected production Of his opera.
Now it so happens that the Silver Lion
belongs to Hans Strammel and his wife
Molly, bought with the assistance of
Nikfs small heritage before the advent
of the Princess fair. But the hosiery
has Jared i'll because Of the rivalry of
a one-time rival for the hand of Molly.
With Marie comes good luck for Hans
and his bride,-goOd luck for all con-
cerned save the musician whose heart
has been lost before he Is aware Of the
royalty of its recipient.
But the end is not yet, for the tale
OF The Princess Tra-la-la," which had
its first Washington presentation at
the New National -Theater last even
ing. is one of a love that defies court
conventions: scandalizes traditions; re-
linquishes royal rights for its own
dear sake.
One isn't sure OF happiness for the
dominating characters of this delight
full operetta, however, until the last
curtain is ready to descend, for the
final act finds the Princess Marie Cor
'Tra-la-la," as she is affectionately
called because of her sOngbird pro-
pensities) attired in bridal array. pro-
ceeding to meet her affianced husband
at the altar, when Mkt caresses the
strings OF his violin into telling
all the love and anguish OF his heart,
when the princess not only hands him
the contract for the belated produc-
ton Of his opera, but renounces her
exalted estate that she may answer
the call of her loving heart.
As improbable as a fairy story, this ro-
nance is yet refreshing thing because
OF its sweet simplicity. and the admirable
Coherency with which 1t is told. furnish
Ing dramatic interest quite as absorb
ing as the delightful score which has been
furnished by Leo Ascher.
And that is unrestricted praise for
Princess Tra-la-la" offers innumerable
exquisite melodies, some of which equal
Franz Lehar's most haunting Viennese
themes in either the never-to- be-forgotten
Merry Widow" or his Alone at Last"
which has been running all this season
at the Shubert Theatsr in New York AL
though it was Mr.. Lehar who whetted our
appetite for the Hitting waltz strain, he
mas given US nothing more delightful than
Mr.. Ascher's The Swallow and the
Lark" "On the Blue Danube's Bank
and Fate Is Such a Mystic Puzzle
while there are a score Of other numbers
I'm the piece which have a rOllicking swing
that cannot fail to win for them popular
favor
In selecting a cast to interpret the book
and lyrics (Which were furnished in the |
German by Julius Brammer and Alfred |
Gruenwald and adapted for the English |
stage by Matthew Woodward, as well |
as Mr.. Ascher's beautiful score Andreas |
Dippel has again proven himself AM
astute and discriminating impressario |
for the three-act Viennese Operetta is |
flawlessly presented by a cast which |
extracts from it full measure of both !
vocal and dramatic value.
In the title role Is Phyllis Darlington, |
who gives an excellent dramatic per
Torrance opposite George B. Baldwin |
as Mkt" and shares honors with him /
in the rendition of The Swallow and |
the Lark" OF which song last nights |
audience seemed unable to hear enough. |
Miss Darlington sings with cleaness and |
sweetness, and presents numerous be- |
wildering sartorial effects. while Mr.. |
Baldwin scores new vocal and histrionic |
laurels as the hero of the piece
Emmy Nicklass, the much-heralded So |
prano from Dresden, is a bit too buxom |
to fulfill the advance promise of dainti- |
ness, but is sufficiently vivaclous and |
spontaneous to create a distinct liking |
for her Molly" despite an occasional |
strident tendency In her vocalization. !
She plays the part with a deal of dash, |
and distinguishes her oft-recurring vocal |
numbers with fash of spirit that will |
probably go a long way in winning her
success in this her first English speaking
role in America
In less exacting parts Angelic Lippich |
capably assists Miss Nicklass in several
Of her best songs. Allan Ramsay gives
a satisfactory performance as Molly's
father, who wants her to sell her heart
for the gold Of a bloated male biped
eXcellently pictured by Henry vogeL.
while Alice Gaillard, as the lady in
waiting; Leah de Picon as a youthful
waiter, and long cast, including Guy
Kendall. Claire Chartreau, Rita Greene,
Madeline Carmtn, Marion Clifford and
Paptta Leon, in dtverting terpsichorean
features, maintain the artistic standard
OF a production that comes easily I'D to |,
that which Mr.. DIPPED gave US of The
Lilac Domino" in point of book, music,
staging and costumfnr-
eXcelling that lovely piece in the rIs-
tanned dramatic interest of its book and
In the youthfulness and charm Of its
chorus.