Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-15
Belas0.

"The Princess Pat" made her WASH
incton debut last evening at the Belas-
co Theater and her coming OUT was
a clittcring success. The audience. ap-
parently, was made up for the most
mart of musical lovers of critical TASTE
and after seeing and hearing the young
person sing and dance through three
highly entertaining acts it was voted
by applause that she had made good
Each of the acts is generously supplied
with melodies, not only pretentlouS ana
substantial, but pleasing to the ear 1t
seemed to be the consensus OF OPINION
that Victor Herbert as a composer has
fully maintained his standard or eN-
cellence in THE Princess Pat and he
is to be congratulated on the artiStic
manner in which his compositions are
interpreted by John Corts company OF
talented entertainers, the members
having been selected largely because
of their vocal attachments. IralSe is
also due Henry Blossom, responsible
for the book and lyrics
The comedians have 1augh-producer
in every line allotted them The pro-
duction as a whole. sumptuously
staged. proceeds like perfectly lubri-
Gated machine. due to its long runs IN
New York. Chicago ana lie" OF the
other large cities.
THE Princess Pat has tangible
plot The young person in question is
q sparkling. vivacious Irish lass. who
makes her initial appearance astrlde
real live horSe-a hunter. Her par
ficuIar girl friend. Grace Holbrook, is
engaged. for financial reasons. to a
widower of sixty years, millionaire
She does not love him, but is lnfatu-
ated with his son. In order to arouse
her apparently Indifferent husband. and
at the same time help her friend escape
from the distasteful agreem'n mt to wed.
Princess Pat decides on Il Irritation with
the widower. Her plans prove success
full. and, is characteristic of comic
operas all ends we'll. with everybody
happy and satisfied.
Every of the fifteen solo num-
hers is q gem. with perhaps Love Is
and Two Laughing Irish Eyes shining
a trifie brighter than the others. In
a comic line, I'D Like to Be GUTTER
but I Find 1t Hard to Quit" and THE
Shoes of Husband No. 1 as Worn by
No. ." are mirth provokers.
The reported illness of Miss Eleanor
Painter brought about the subStitu-
ton last evening of Miss Ferne Rogers
in the role of Princess Pat. Miss
Rogers possesses a clear soprano voice.
and the ease with which she sang the
leading numbers established at once
her standing as an operate artist. She
played the part in New York Saturday
night and then went through her work
last night if she had been with the
company all season. Her contributions
also in duets. trios and quartets were
strikingiy effective.
Another young woman in the cast
with marked ability and especially
pleasing personality is Miss Eva Fall
Ion. who played the part of Grace Hol-
brook. singing and dancing her way
into the favor of the audience with
little trouble. Miss Leonora Novasio,
as the maid. also deserves mention for
her singing and dancing. Agility.
coupled with an excellent voice and
marked ability. resulted in Miss Nova
$40 making a small part stand out con-
sDicuously.
The male portion of the company is
about the best that could be selected
Joseph Lertora as the prince. looking
and singing his part with real artistic
Judgment Comedians Sam Hardy as
self-constituted friend. and Alexan-
ger clark, as a country Constable"
created no end of laughter through
characteriZations ana songs that are of
the highest class. Robert ODER made
pleasing leading man ahd a great foil
1or his side partner. The remainder
OF the principals were entirely salts
factory while the chorus had a fresh
ness rarely seen in road companies.
dance advertisement in the third act
by Mr.. Riggs and Miss Witchie was
very artistically given and earned
many recalls. Director Gustave Salver
handled the large orchestra with UNI
usual deftness and accuracy.