Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-05
ADJUSTMENTS
REAL NOVELTY OF SEASON
IS AT THE ACADEMY

Tho Spanish American Musical Re-
vuc. aptly called The Land of JOY"
bringing sunny Spain TO our own doors.
scored triuniphal success at its FIRST
performance last night. 1t came with
all the lightncss and brightness OF Il
spring breeze, eXhaling the perfumes
from the fields and groves of the land
OF the Pyrcnccs. with the blithe melody
of the uaniS dance To the captivating
accompaniment or the castanct and
enhanced by the exotic and eNuDcrant
quality OF the singing of cver-smiling
Spanish maide.:S. With Il kalcidosco-
pic succession Of enchanting scenes
and still more enchanting costumes.
with music OF enhancing charm and
lifting melody, dances OF grace and mo-
tion, always climuctic and tn.elessly
executed. the Land OF JOY" Is by far
the most novel and eXhlarating pro-
duction Imaginable.
There is almost too much to describe.
There were priIna donnas; solo and en-
scmblc dancers always appearing diff
fercntly gowned at each new entrance:
an orchestra Of unusual quality. with
real music for them to play; Il Spanish
guide. who never attempted English
at all, and. n whole entertainment by
himself, an American "conferencier."
or interpreter. whose humorous re-
marks kept the audience chuckIinS
when they were not doubled up with
laughter.
After a twenty weeks engagement In
New York, whore the production has
almost revolutionized the music or the
gardens and cabarcts. the Land of
JOY" being Il kind Of resume of Spanish
music and dancing, Is ell tour. Il sur
prises one that it was ever allowed To
leave New York at all; perhaps. there
was some "Hoovcrisin" In this regard
hrf 10 &c ipl, fn he MI,
cities of the country that this highly
entertaining production was not re-
tanned in the metropolis. The work OF
II Spanish producer, Senior Nalverde.
aided by Seniors Alizondo and Nclasco.
it was conceived with the idea OF
bringing Spain to our doors" since
the war prevents our tourists from
visiting their country. Everything
about it is Spanish. the entire cast OF
h.;y or sixty participants being un-
deniahly so. with the jet-black hair.
black and extremely saucy eyes, which.
ny the way. they know quite we'll how
to use: the Spanish dress and orna-
mcnts. all speak clouuently Of the ORR
gin of the production.
There are two acts. and the ten
scenes carry one to Valencia, Seville.
Granada. Madrid and one forgets how
many other places. The are eNem-
pliiicd or symbolizcd in the scenery. as
well as referred to in the lntcrpO-
lations OF Julius Tanner. the Amcri-
can "cuidebook." The leadini, ladirs
of the company-Scnoritas Puchoi Mar
CO. Doloretcs. Saus, Mari-Juli thcre
two OF thcse)--ail brought beauty
and much skill, all enhanced by the
gestures and poses typical o. their
several dances. Antonio Bilbao was
the principal male dancer. appearing
sinGly and in various dances with the
Senoritas. One OF the brightest indi-
vidual features was the appearance OF
Scnorita Puchol. Il dashinE beauty, in
an old gown dating back Il century and
a half reminiscent of our Colonial days,
singing an attractive little melody.
which she repeated In quaint English.
The final scene, in which :. dozen or
so OF the scnor!tDs appeared. was de-
scr!bed as = dancing competition. and
in this the Terpsichorcan artists fairly
rcNclcd in their ART. their agility
knowing no bounds. Many. or most
Of tho dances were repeated after in
sistent recalls. the performers always
thcr physical endurance seemed to be
4 matter Of question.
The Land Of Joy" will he seen ~
two performances 1T the Academy OF
! Music to-day. matinee and evening. and
II the enthusiasm shown last nigh, Of
fcrs any criterion, the house Will h.
packed 10 it's doors. II the reader
would like TO So. the real novclt" OF
the seacon. this Is III" opportunity:
also. ii you think have exaggerated
The merits OF this remarkable pronuc-
ton. go and see for yourself
j. c. II