The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-26

COMIC OPERA PLAYERS
MAKE ANOTHER BIG HIT

with the advent OF new prima
donna. Maude Gray mo relation to
Roger and new musical director,
signor Antonio Bafunno. the comic
Opera Players at the Academy last
night looked and sang and acted like
an entirely new aggregation, and gave
one of the most spirited and really
delightful offerings they have so far
shown the Richmond public.
Every member of the company and
orchestra seemed to vie with one
another to see which could do the hest
work and the tout ensemble was
one which sent the large and very en-
thusiastic audience home laughing and
commencing as they said good bye.
Naughty Marietta the vehicle Sc
lected for this week. is one of Victor
Herberts most tuneful operettas. while
the words and lyrics by Rfda Johnson
Young are az up-to- date today as when
the first production was made several
weeks ago.
In introducing Miss Gray to the
audience after the first curtain. Roger
Gray expressed regret at the necessity
which forced Miss Jersey to leave the
company. hut while Miss JerstC had
during her stay here made many warm
friends and had done some good work.
she was neither the actress or singer
Miss Gray Is. and Miss Gray is destined
TO become one of the most popular
srtna taonnas Richmond has ever had
the pleasure of hearing. OF splendid
stage presence, abundant good looks. a
ringing voice. true and well-trained.
she was at once taken up by the
audience and given the warmest pos
sible welcome and a curtain call after
the hrst act that was from the heart
anil hand left no room for doubt
that che Is sure to become q Rich
mond favorite. Her Marietta" COM
pares favorab1y with Trentini's rendi-
ton sof the role. and far surpasses
Florence Webber's WHO has also been
heard here in the part.
George Bogues. as Captain Richard
Warrington, the part opposite. was not
quite at ease and seemed to feel for
his high notes but this was evidently,
nervousness and he will no doubt have
overcome this by tomorrow. His act
ing was as usual very good Billie
Bush almost stole the show in the
character part of Lizette. a casauette
girl looking for husband, her make
up being one of the most artistic we
have ever seen. and the fact that she
vas willing to subordinate her good
looks to the demands of the part shows
the true artistic. Rounds of applause
greeted her every appearance and she
was a distinct hit. In Edward Basse,
the new baritone. the management has
at last succeeded in finding a man who
can both act and sing. OF fine stage
presence. a very handsome countenance
and a voice which pleased all by it's
sweetness and sonorousness. he is an
addition to the company which It has
sadly needed and has at last filled.
Roger Gray needs no words OF praise
for he Is always in the picture and does
we'll everything he has to do. last night
being no exception. This comedian
gets them all coming and going and
his silas Slick last night proved to he
an unctuous bit OF foole.y. neither
underdone or overdone. In his two top
'ical songs. IT'S Pretty Soft For Silas''
and for an encore. Raymond Hitch
cocks "All Dressed Up and No Place
to Co he succeeded In bringing gales
Of laughter Academyward.
Alice Hills, in the part of Adah,
auadroon slave. sang delightfully."- the
one contralto solo she had. and in her
acting role acquitted herself with dis
tinction she always does. She Is
on artistic in the company who can
always be counted on TO give finished
performance. Dan Marble and Matt
Hanley. in character parts. while not
having a great deal to do. lived UP to
their former perfect renditions of parts
allotted to them. The smaller parts
were in entirely satisfactory hands.
and the chorus shone brilliantly under
the able leadership of Signor Bafunno.
in fact seemed to be an altogether diff
ferent one from that we have been nc
customed to hear. showing the effects
Of better handling.
To close without warm;.' praisine
the aforesaid Signor Bafunno. the new
director. would be to overlook What no
doubt had all to do with the great i'm
provement vocally of the entire cast
and chorus. He had them under per-
feet control always. making them sing
with precision. splendid attack, and
much volume.
1t is not stretching the truth par
ticle to say that Naughty Marietta"
Is the best offering the Comic Opera
Players have shown since their season
opened