The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-16
THE MIKADO" PROVES
BRILLIANT SUCCESS
Alvin Smith and His Troupe Give
Splendid Performance mt
Academy of Music.
PERFECT RENDITION GIVEN
Is Stated That Company Can Give
Any Musical Organization Hard
Run-Chorus Proves Biggest Card
of Evening.

There Is nothing to it. Alvin
Smiths opera troupe Is an aggrega-
ton of all-stars 1t can give any
musical organization in the country
a good run for the money. And the
meeting OF the Rotary club at the
Academy OF Music last night was a
bowling success.
Never before in Richmond had The
Mikado" been in better hands and
never before here had there been a
more perfect cast. Alvin STuith as
'Ko-ko" had Francis Wilson. DeWolf
Hopper. HerSy Dixey, Nat Goodwin
and some others all rolled into one.
and so far as Lynn Tucker as "Nanki-
Poo need be concernes, the city
treasurer's Office may be abolished.
for after his performance last night.
there is not an impressario In the
country who would not give him a
Job at, twice the salary he gets as
deputy city treasurer.
Howard Bryant as Pooh Bal"
proved a good one FOR the job as pro-
posed by the amended charter, hav-
Ing displayed a certain knack for
getting things into trouble and get
ting them out again with the con-
summste tact OF high Japanese Of
fetal.
Norman Cali as the factotena, in
7
voice that lent charm to the en-
sernble and his solos were fully APP
plauded and appreciated by those who
know music when they hear 1t.
| Horace Powell, ''The Mikado,"
whose appearance upon the scene Is
along about 1890 O'clock, made a
most favorable impression. He car
rted his part, and handled the music
! like a professional
| And the ladies'
Mrs. Norman Call as Yum Yum;
Miss Marjorie Harcum as "Pitti-Slng'
and Mrs. Lou Ella Cowherd as Peep
Bo.'' and three little Japanese maid
ems, could have kept the center OF
the stage all evening, had the audi
ence been permitted TO have its way
while Mrs. George Bethel, az Kati-
sha," won iaureis, in the shape of q
! beautiful basket OF American roses
and caused many laughs at her com
edy work Her solo effects were equa
to any presented here in many years
! The chorus could not have been i'm
proved upon. Manager Smith had the
ladies' and gentlemen Of the chorus
trained TO the queens taste, wh4lt
their vocal efforts were equal TO tht
occasion.
Director Kirk Mathews and hi;
splendid orchestra, enlarged for the
occasion. gave everything that was eX'
pected. and a little bit more.
As a whole, the entire performance
proved a musical treat In the audi
ence were many of the older amateur
performers and a number of musicians
of note. They expressed their ad
Imiration of the presentation with fire..
ouent applause and as result there
were numerous encores, not, however
given through sentimental reasons
but because the audience knew a gooc
thing when 1t heard 1t. and that mu
sic last night certainly was good.
II would not be fair to pick any
individual for special mention. fol
there was not a weak spot in th'
cast, while the chorus did it's share
in making the production a success
No adverse criticism is due. and witt
the single exception that some or tht
performers did not know exactly wha
to do with their hands. not being &C
custom ed TO Jap costumes there WA
nothing that drew special attention
away from the splendid show and tbs
sweet singing of the principals ant
the chorus.
There is, no necessity of going int
1.-THE story of The Mikado.' Amos
every one knows II from soup to nuts
IAN was right as right could be" from
the flowers tnat bloom IN the spring
to Katisha's left elbow.
i Local illusions were frequent, ant
notables were mentioned at approprl
ate moments. with the resultant laugh
Alvin Smith Is a. wonder, and hi
company is good enough to play weel
stands In any circuit. Again this af
ternoon and tonight.
Between the acts Wyudham r
Meredith made an appeal for thrift
stamps, and The Star Spangled Ban
ner' was sung at the end of the show