New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-05

The first addition 70 New York s
long list of playhouses in year or
more-the Morosco Theatre-threw
open its doors to receive an invited
audience last evening, and will vel
come the public on and after tonight.
The scope of Oliver Morosco's actiyi-
ties hereabouts having been steadily
widening in the last few seasons, 1t
was inevitable that he would aspire
10 control a New York theatre soon
er or later. Thus we have the Mo-
rosco, so titled that none may doubt
Mr.. Morosco's control thereof.
The new theatre. a tasteful and we'll
appointed playhouse, is in Forty-nftn
Street, not more than a few hundred
feet from Broadway and quite con-
venient to the hurly-burly. 1t is the
larger of two theatres reared beside
each other by the Shuberts, the second
being designed to accommodate the
local French players before another
season rolls around. Only By com
parison with the Theatre Francois, how
ever. can it be regarded "a large. Fig
ures are unavailable at this hour; the
capacity, as theatres go, appears 20 be
bit below the average. The interior
is quite simply and beautifully deco
rated, the predominating tone being
violet. All in all, welcome and at
tractive newcomer.
The piece selected by Mr.. Morosco
for dedication purposes is unlikely TO
be significant Of the type Of entertain
ment that the new theatre will house.
II is a spirited but overload musical
play, entitled Canary Cottage
piece which is frequently blatant and
just as frequently downright vulgar.
II is a grade or two above Mr.. Morosco's
$50 Long Lefty" in the social scale,
but in general IL is quite similar to
that late attraction and will appeal 20
the same public. The authors and the
composer Of Canary Cottage"-Mr.
Morosco, Elmer Harris and Earl Car
roll-are the same who fashioned the
earlier piece.
For all this, there are moments in
Canary Cottage" when one may laugh
heartily, even though a suggestion OF
blush accompany the laugh. Most
of such moments are brought about By
Herbert Corthel, who accomplishes the
difficult feat of being legItimately
amusing in a pair Of green pajamas.
Trixie Friganza, never subtle, repeats
the tricks that have stood the test OF
a dozen musical shows and a vaudeville
tour or two.
Charles Ruggles, late Of Rolling
Stones" appeared thoroughly at nome
in musical comedy, so perhaps TINS -
not his first one. The mournful Hugh
Cameron had his moments, and an
acrobatic pair called the Ergotti LIli-
putians drew considerable applause.
The remainder OF the cast was quite
undistinguished
The costumes are colorful and pleas
ing TO the eye. but the scenery IS un-
necessarily garish.
The most noticeable improvement
among the trio Of authors is to be
credited 20 Mr.. Carroll, who has turned
ont at least one composition Wnlch con
aims not a little melody. The name OF
mis- one is IL Never Knew and the
piece appears to have been written
around il. The story. at all events, -
30 devised as 70 make NJ possible 70
project this number over the footllghts
half a dozen times or more. As Tor
Wessrs. Morosco and Harris, they have
found II a bit difficult-impossible, IN
fact-to break away from the humor
which is founded on avoirdupois, IN
temperance and marital infeliclty.