Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-30
ADJUSTMENTS
UNUSUAL. FARCE CHARMS
AND CtI'IISATL:S AUDIENCE,

"itHih TIC ltSl CiS III ten years
there have been numerous attempts.
with varying success, - cmD.liiSn GER
tain popular comedies with lyrics ami
music and the addition Of Il dozen OF
more chorus girls and extra business.
thereby enhancing the value ut the
play from Il box Notice point OF view.
Last night We had Il splendid example
OF Tins form vi entertainment in the
shape Of Rock "a Bye Baby" described
as Il iarciul opcrctta. II is Il musical
IScttinS or, rather adaptation of Mar
Garct Mayo'S screaming farce, Baby
Mine. That has always been i welcome
visitor TO our playhouse. The occasion
WAS one of particular interest TO local
.hcatcrgoers. because of the fact that
we were having Il peep At ii in its try
out through the provinces before it's
early premiere on Broadway, where IL
is undoubtedly destined for Il long and
popular run. It's opening performance
mere met with universal and cnthus-
astic APPRECIATION and dcScrvcdly so.
The attention of the audience WAS
about evenly divided between the very
able Interpretation OF tho ridiculous
humor of the piece, the charming and ar
tiStiC scenic invcStiturc and the daz-
zling wardrobe OF the feminine princi-
pals and chorus 1t is unfortunate
that the engagement should coincide
with our annual spring musical fcG-
! tivaJ for otherwise the house would UNI
doubleday HAY. been sold out.
In an experience that covers some
eight or ten years We do no; remember
to have seen a more thoroughly pleas
ing and d!rcrting attraction from. every
point Of view. Baby Mine" is one
of the funniest farccs every produced
It's plot and many of its lines are viz
tually impact in the musical comedy
Jerome Kern has written for it some
OF his prctticst music and Herbert Rev
I mr. dc ,ax.
| lyrics admirably in Keeping The ros-
ter of principals includes some of tho
best -kn"%n pcrsonaEcs OF the stage
whose individual ability almost justi-
hes the wcll-worn appellation of all
star cast"
Louise Dresser. former partner OF
Jack Nortworth. is perhaps tho best
known She made her first appearances
with the company last night which ac.
counts for her unfamiliarity with the
ines ana music but gave Il very clever
performance nevertheless. Edna Mum
s'F. whom we all pleasantly remember
in the ttular role of Victor Ilcrber,.s
The only Girl" gave a highly credit,
able rendition Of Nine T.. TcnteIucci
Edna iiihbard, the third OF the leading
female trio. proved herself a delight
fuI!y. clever and extremely funny
comcdicnne in the role OF the UNI
fortunate wife. She is an actress who
''''H'S iH!'N TIC NtIuc OF every X
preston and gesture In the enactment
of farce comedy and is largely rcspou-
SIblc for the Plays success OF the
men, John Cumberland probably per-
formed best. Lately OF Twin Beds
and Far and Warmer" he is a
talented comedian whose inimitable
facial expression and dry reading of
his lines kept his auditors ia a con
tinuous uproar. Frank Morgan who
WAS recognized as an old stock favor
tie. despite his change OF name re.
ccivcd a waEm welcome from his
friends. and rewarded them by :,
capital and finished INTERPRETATION OF
1.-The role Of tho dumfound,d husband
There has also been added to the pro.
grained cast the popular dancing duo.
Dorothy Dickson and carl Tyson. late
~ features Of oh. Boy" and The
Century Girl. who demonstrated their
grace and talent In dancing number,
that almost stopped the show" Ana
last but by no means. least. tho chorus
VIC are sure that there has never an
pcarcd here. nor can there he seen
away from Broadway a more beautiful
or SorGcouSly coStumcd hcvy Of girls
than the fair dozen that fit gracefully
on and off stage and made each on
scmbic riot of color and beauty The
stage settings handsome ana
elaborate and evoked constant adinira-
ton.
The composers music is as we have !
said. pretty ard catchy. though (
reminiscent. The most popular num-
bcrs arc waltz song, lust One Kiss" !
4 catchy duet. Not You" and Miss |
Drcsser's solo. "A Kettle is Singing"
OF course there are still some rough |
edges as the lines and business are
undergoing constant pruning and (
polishing. To-night'S pcrformaucc
should run more smoothly.
During the intcrmissions Henry
Lindemann, made a pithy and stirring |
appeal for subscribers TO Liberty loan |
bonds and $4,000 was realized in the |
ten minutes allotted TO him. There !
arc three performances left of this /
splendid attraction. II is soon due in /,
New York. where We confidently pre- F,
diet for IL Il career that will carry /: |
not only through this summer but wei, !
into next. 1t is just the diversion !
needed for these troublouS days, to re-
move from our minds for the tine the I
tragic and portcntous events OF the /
awful drama now under enactment
across the sea. Therefore we advise
you unrcScrVcdly and without hcsita-
ton TO avail yourself of This cxccp- /
tionai opportunity to drown dull care I
and worry. II will not he cqualcd for |
Ions time to come G. l..