South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-16
AT THE OLIVER
"KATINKA."

?
''Katinka', comes to the Oliver thea
ter Christmas matinee and night.
''Katinka" is a little bit different
in plan from any musical play that
has ever gone before it. 1t is a
musical comedy Of compelling Tilt
and sweetness of the style introduced
into America by the American
| Viennese operettas, but OF a standard
of excellence little below that Of the
light grand operas. The tunefulness
of this music gives it a universal
appeal. while it's technique makes it
agreeable TO the trained ear of the
most carping connOisseur.
The plot of ''Katinka" is so ar
ranged as TO carry the personages
I through three scenes of widely-vary-
| ing picturesqueness. The story opens
in Russia, just before the present
war. then jumps TO Turkey. and
winds up in Vienna, a course impos-
sible Of pursuit in the present state
| Of these belligerent localities.
The spectator is called upon 10
follow the fortunes Of the pretty
little Russian, Katinka. She is in
love with the handsome Ivan, but
is tricked into marrying the rough
old Boris But Ivan is not OF the
sort to give up his sweetheart so
/ easily He learns that Boris already
has a wife living-he doesn't know
just where. So he interrupts the
wedding festivities, and with the aid
of an American friend. Hopper. car
ries off Katinka, who, on the
journey. poses as Hopper's wife.
They go to Turkey in search OF
Mrs Boris No. 1. who is supposed
to have taken refuge in the Pasha's
harem to escape from Boris who is
no more popular with her than with
Katinka. Affairs are becoming ex-
citing. Katinka herself all but fall
ing into the power OF the Pasha.
when TO cap the climax, the real
Mrs Hopper turns up. The delicacy
OF Katinka's position can be appreci-
ated With the real Mrs. Boris and
the real Mr.. Hopper in town, she
I feels like the heroine of a HOyt
farce.
Al Illlc CTALlCdl AlOlltiLs II ut-
velops that Mrs. Boris the first has
gone TO Vienna. Ivan, Katinka,
Hopper and the jealous Mrs. Hopper
follow. Mrs Boris is located; the
william Boris is foiled; Katinka is at
: liberty TO become Mrs Ivan and Mrs.
/ Hopper is made 70 listen 10 and be
/ convinced by reason.
The plot, il will be seen, gives ex-
cellent opportunities for handsome
stage. settings for which Arthur
Hammerstein is responsible. The
lavish gayety Of a semi-royal
Russian palace: the picturesque
oriental architecture of a Turk
ish city street, and the splendid
glitter OF a Niennese music hall pre-
sent to the eyes a feast OF splendor
such as is rarely encountered even
in these days of luxurious stage set
tings
In the musical score one hit fol-
I lows another in rapid succession,
with the frequently recurring Rack
ETY. Coo" as the number that lives
E in the memory as the audience files
out of the theater and down the
street humming and whistling. II
has a catchy Tilt that hangs forever
/ in the memoW other notable mu-
steal number are Your Photo. 3"
] "Katinka." Il Want 70 Marry a Male
Quartet" A gaily gowned chorus
hat can sing and dance is a notable
feature OF the show.
The cast includes Howard Lang
ford. Eve Lynn, Marquita Dwight,
Clara Palmer. Dixie Blair. Eleanor
/ Vincent, Peggy Pates, Nicholas Ko-
| vac. Bernard Corey John Roberts.
| Daniel J. sullivan and s. Paul VerOn.