Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-21

The comic opera spotlight hloomed
again at the Broad Street Theatre last
night after a lapse which was estimated
at from three to nine years. Beneath its
glow many strange things hourishcd, but
none We're more odd than the delusions of
Andreas Dippol, impresario.
Mr.. Dippel had a long and honorable
connection with grand opera and possibly
from the prominence which voices take in
that sphere he has brought the idea that
good singing voices are a necessity in
operetta. lie had a hundred examples
of successful ventures to refutc his theory,
but he persists in choosing a personnel
that can sing Sometimes he works in luck
and acquires "A personable young woman
like Emmy NiCltass or gracious young
woman like Phyllis Partington or an in
gratiatlng and affable young man like
George Baldwin. Even in his ChOruseS Mr.
Dlppcl carries his principles and even
there he can sometimes double and get
beauty as well as voices. Daintily dressed
young people singing on the key, are an
uncommon sight this side of Poplar street.
Add them to the stars just mentioned. to
Angelo Lppich Cor William Rhodes) and
the sturdy workers for comic and other
effects and you have Mr. Dippel's idea of a
musical comedy cast.
Unfortunately the obsession for music
has carried the producer too far, The
work of Leo Ascher in "PrincO7s Ira
La-La" is interesting. It has melodies
which are pleasing, but not Ovcr-catchy,
and the orchestration is notably deft, as
neat as that in The Peasant Girl" of
Nedbal, more than that of "Sari." Alas!
that 1t lacks the raciness and the sheer
delight in melodious ease of the latter,
Tor successor II was certainly intended to
be. Ii is nothing Of the sort, because IL
lacks character Literally there is moth.
ing in "Princess TraLa-La" except the
music We do not profess to understand
the German and Hungarian racial genius,
but If the product of their writer's OF
lbrettos is fairly represented here then
the Smith brothers have the inventveness
of all the people mentioned by w. 5. Gil
bert In the receipt for Heavy Dragon
plus the abilities of W. S. Gilbert himself.
The ''if' part is in doubt and the con
cluslon is wrong. But it is not half so
wrong as the book and the humors Of
"Princess TTa.La-l.a"
Plot? 1t has two, neither consequent.
The fortunes of an inn-keeper we could
tolerate. The misfortunes OF a princess,
disguise, love with COmmoner projected
marriage, ceremonial may, this mockery
shall go no fuTther"-pah! Something
frankly artificial, yes, provided there is
whimsicality or human credibilty in II.
Something realistic, yes, provided there
are artificial beauties. But this time worn
and ancient and disreputable work is
really beyond all liberation, not only be-
cause il is artificial and graceess, but
because it Is dull Incidentally the hu-
morous situations are exactly as numer-
Gus as the plots. and are not so we'll
handled
II Mr.. DippeI or any other impresario
viii take the trouble TO look about him.
TO employ vestige Of intelligence, as Mr.
Dillingham; employs II. for example, there
is still chance for him. A sublime in
telligence will remove all the story. A
lesser one will improve wnat there Is
Should there be any doubts In this matter
the aforesaid impresarios are cordially
invited TO communicate with this ofice,
where everything from detail OF dancing |
to a complete plot is ready. They may
not make money. But then. neither may
the Princess Tra-La.La." G. " s..