Evening journal., 1918-11-26

Roderic, Spanish prince, Arthur klelr
Bessie Williams ...........LOuise Aller
Sam Benton ............. William Ken
Dolores, water girl Carmen Granada
Honenrique, a troubador Frank Gil
Ialda ........... .....-...........1N .1NOnetV
Ben Hud ................J0 John Dunsmur'
Machaquita, a matador, Chester Browr
Andrews ...................Da Dan SteNen'
ff'atadors, Water Girls, American Tour
tsts, Etc.
with an exuberance OF humor, 9
Well-developed plot, a program OF
sparkling musical numbers and a Sc
lect chorus, Somebody's Sweetheart
scored decided hit on its first appear
ance at the Playhouse last evening. The
setting Of the play. in two acts, Is laid
In Spain, but the characters are Amer
ican. the action taking place at the
American Consulate at Seville. The
show is certainly the most brimful pro-
duction that has been staged at the
theatre this year.
The cast of characters is well selected
and includes William Kent, whose char
scterization OF "Tody," the worm that
turned husband in Look Who's Here,
which was produced at the Playhouse
several week sagO, made him favorite
with the audience. Kent. in some
bodys Sweetheart" plays the role OF
sam Benton, a mirth-prOvoking Chi
cago meat packer, who is willing Ito
try anything Once-but marriage" With
this peculiar act OF shivering, which
seems to be an art with him. his panto-
mines and his versatile ability to ere
ate mirth, and his horror az the word
marriage" he is the whole storm-cen-
ter OF the plot
The entire cast carry their parts
laudably. The dancing and singing, and
especially the delightful violin numbers
PLAYED by Nonette, recently captured
from the vaudeville stage, are brilliant,
end the costumes are attractive and ad-
mirable Louise Allen with her vivacity,
dancing and Mary Pickford curls, can
not be overlooked.
The setting is picturesque, with a
square in Seville nesr the american
ConsuIs house, in the first act, and the
garden OF the conculate, in the second
act. The Sianish costumes impressively
accenuate the setting
The plot is deiicately unfolded, with
the usual complications happening fast
and the denouement reached In due
time.
Harry Edwards, after once succumb-
ing TO the beauty Of Zaida, gypsy yio-
linist. becomes engaged to Helen VIII
liams, a daughter Of Colonel Williams,
L. S. Consul at Seville. He has selected
as his best man his former college
chum. Benton, who has approached
close 70 being a woman-hster because
of a disastrous love affair while at
college.
Zaida appears as a member OF a
troupe Of gypsy musicians engaged 10
play az the wedding fete, and sam Ben
ton is Immediately selected to get rid OF
her. While he IS engaged in this pur-'
suit. following plans laid by Edwards
and Prince Roderic, he falls in love
with Bessie Williams, who envies her
sister. Helen, because Of her coming
wedding, and his efforts 10 get Zaida
away from the place instantly and get
him "in wrong" with his newly-found
fance. After almost destroying his
homes Of marrying Bessie, but not his
determination TO win her, he casts aside
.he plans OF his friends and by his own
resourcefulness brings all to a happy
ending.
outstanding among the musical num-
hers is. ats Gets Them All, which Non
4t,e so etherally interprets on the vio-
lin and the chorus so pleasingly sings,
that it certainly does get the audi
ence by its seductive tunes. Nineteen
numbers, all pleasingly given, comprise
the musical program.
Seldom has a musical comedy or lisht
opera appeared in Wilmington with so
many really fine singers in the principal
parts. Walter Scanlan is tenor worthy
OF the grand opera stage. John Duns-
mure. the giant gypsy chief, is basso
OF unusual voice, Nonette, pretty vlo-
linist. is a charming singer and actress
as well. There is a splendid singing
chorus. too, and the music IS winning
Mr.. Hammerstein undoubtedly mas
staged another triumph TO- brighten the
after-war period.
Somebody's Sweetheart" will De
given a special matinee this afternoon
and a final performance tonight, at the
Playhouse.