New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-11
By HAYWOOD BROUN.

4 musical comedy, IKE one OF LhoSe
chemical experiments in which some
thing sizzlcs, turns green, explodes or
achieves interest in some other man
ner, depends not go much upon its IN
diyidual elements as upon their proper
combination. It may be said without
offence to anybody that neither julia
Sanderson, Donald Brian nor Joseph
Cawthorn possesses more than a pleas
ing talent for the stage, but working
together in "Sybil," at the Liberty The
atre. last night. they contrived to effect
the most tumultuously applauded mu-
steal comedy Of the season.
The music, BY Victor Jacob. is
sprightly. and the book. which enlisted
the services Of four authors, contains
a number of laugh compelling lines,
one or Two OF which are clever. IL -
easy TO write lines for Joseph Cav
thorn. Yes, he at least has more than
a pleasing talent. II requires man OF
something approaching genius to say
Lets drink 10 our mucllage acqualnt-
anceship" in such manner that the
audience shall laugh. Cawthorn can
and did last night. Once or twice ms
lines permitted him to twist an old
Joke in somewhat novel fashion. but
for the most part he was working with
familiar material.
His humorous opportunities often
consisted of no more than the chance
to speak Of Lees surrender to Grant
az "Hippopotamus." And yet he was
undeniably funny through every minute
he held the stage. We laughed at jokes
which in other shows have left US un-
moved. Cawthorn had his audience al
his finger tips. Even his wife, who sat
i'm stage box, roared at him immod-
erately.
To analyze the method OF Cawthorn
is beyond US. II consists to some de-
gree i'm his absolute confidence in his
ability to make the audience laugh. and
in part also TO the fact that he ingra-
tiates himself into the favor of those
who listen 10 him by a certain frank
intimacy OF manner. II is almost as #
he should say: Nov, Of course. this
joke is not 50 very funny, but you and
| know each other well enough to let
IL pass for humor. After all. IL is our
own particular joke. You and |, we
have shared this one for years" And
so when Cawthorn says: at is erysipe-
las TO me" how can anybody fail 10
laugh? Cawthorn had the best night
Of his career at the Liberty yesterday.
Maybe his humor is mellowing.
Julia Sandcrson Is a young person
who dances gracefully upon occasion
and is constantly pretty Her teeth
are wonderful. Her voice IS agreeable.
She was IN pleasing mood.
Dcnald Brian can dance with the
best Of them and is as polite hero
as ever folded heroine in passionate
embrace. lie was decidedly amusing in
his intense love scenes. There we're
moments Of intensity in "SybiL' sew
oral dramatic climaXes. in fact. For
time il looked rs If Julia Sanderson
would 60 to Siberia. Joseph Cawthorn
was also in danger.
A musical comedy should have
plot. An act ought to end with a
smash Of some sort for the folk 70
sing about. "Sybil" is laid in Russia,
whence come caviar. adventuresses and
ballets. II tells how Mile. Renaud,
Juiia Sanderson in real life, passed
herself off as the Grand Duchess Con
stantine in order 10 save her lover
from Siberia. Naturally the Grand
Duke appeared a little later and kept
up the deception in order to make love
10 his fictitious wife. And, OF course,
tho real duchess came 20 the ball ana
made love 10 the other tenor m order
IN make her husband jealous. But Just
as each spectator receives his own coat
NJ the end Of the performance. so GER
tain Is il that the hero and the heroine
will be united in the final act. some
bov or other the author never coniuses
Donald Brian had 20 return to the
duchess at the finale, but he had me
limo while IL lasted lie kissed Julla
Sarderson twice. danced with her and
L@ined her sing Lift Your Eyes 10
Nine" and Love May BE Mystery.
Roth numbers were performed pleas
inglv. Possibly the most popular song
in the performance was u Can Dance
with ANYBODY but My Wife sung oy
Joseph Cawthorn ;.;.,d
"Svbil" contains a number OF SPIRITED
cbornses. which we're well sung b. ca,
pable male voices. Particularly good
was .Thc Colonel Of the Crimson nus
sars." led By Miss Sanderson. me
sound sentiment, II Like the BOYS
was also pleasingly rendered by the
prima donna. .ht. T.
"Sybilp is extremely agreeable. II
might be called nice show but for inc
fsct that Joseph Cawthorn is positively
tumultuous in his funniest Moments