Arizona republican., 1919-05-08
ROBIN HOOD" SCORES A HIT
 IN FIRST SHOW
Phoenix Opera Club Produc- ton Proves Charming Success at Its Premiere Played to Full House
(By Eugene RedewilD

Phoenix has certainly gone opera mad. Last night it was American opera, by Americans at the high school auditorium, and to a well filled house Inc Phoenix Opera club gave it's pre- mlere performance, the vehicle being Robin Hood" and which, by the way of rendition, was robbin' nobody. Of course new organization of this kind cannot be expected to time it's first public performance to the second, min ute or hour; and even if the final cur tain said 'heavy, heavy hangs over your head" near the midnight hour, the audience had the satisfaction of know ing that they got the complete opera, with very few cuts. and got it in a re- markably good presentation.
 There are so many good things in Robin Hood, and so many excellent points of comment in the production by the local club, that space forbids dwell ing on each individual number to the extent it deserves.
 Ropin Hood is one of the most sue cessful of American operas and during the past quarter century it has been produced over 4 4000 times by the Bos- tonians. It was recently revived under tho personal direction of the composer, Reginald de Koven. Joseph Robinson of New York, who happened to be in the audience last night. commented that the Phoenix Opera clubs per formance compared very faYorably, considering the number of people in the cast, with the recent production of the opera at the New Amsterdam theater
 Plenty of Action
 In order 10 understand the comment here, a glance at an abbreviated synop- sis would benefit, as follows:
 Time and place, Nottingham, Eng ,land, in the twelfth century. Robin Hood appears on @ scene of merry making and declares he is the Earl of Huntingdon The sheriff protests be- cause Robin Hood was disinherited by his own father, and urges Sir Guy Osborne as the rightful heir to the Coronet, the latter whom he designs on marrying to his ward, Lady Marian, but not before Robin Hood and Lady Marion had exchanged vows of eternal faith. Outlaws sympatbize with Robin Hood and offer him to be their "kink and rule them under the Greenwood Tree. Robin Hood accepts. thus be- coming king of the outlaws Finally the dashing king of the outlaws brings marrying to his ward, Lady Marion from a hated marriage with Sir Guy and the opera comes to a finis amidst general rejoicing at the triumph oi Robin Hood and Lady Marion over the plotting sheriff and his ward.
 Local Players Made Big Hits
 Mrs. c. B. Wells as Annabel and Mrs. c. M Candy as the inn-keepeI sang and acted their parts remarkably well. Charles Heath proved to be the laugh genius, and there is no doubt but that the stage lost a real star when -4r r. TO .reshing to see him as the sheriff. bal his eagle eye at the keg of "browr October ale
 Tt takes nine talors to make man went big. 70 Promise Me- sung by Mrs. J. M Sims, was more than prom ising and brought two real encores but only one was taken. The "Fores Song." (mostly without words. vet no a yodle) was given in a manner tha might have provoked the envy of Alic' Neilsen when in her prime. Miss Ger trude F. Jones was responsible for thl number. Her voice is soft, high an' smooth.
 Friar Tuck, who raised the curtain was very good indeed and the Ar mourer's song by Will Scarlett as as sumed by Ralph H. Foster in eXcellen manner with aid of anvil and orches trial effects E. C. Myer as Sir Guy o Gisbourue. 8 half wit, was good, bu his voice is one that could have handle 1ne of the dignified parts more tlttlnglS
 The most popular song of the oper has always been "Oh, Promise Me- an strange as it may seem. this song wa not a part of the original score, ou was added some seasons after the pre- miere performance. The Armorer Song" is the next best known in popu larity. bass song designed to portra it's title.
 Opera Club to be CompIimented
 The local organization has certalnl reasons to be proud of last nights per formance. To William Conrad Mill' musical director and producer is du tbe majority of the credit for both tn music produced by the many exceller seloists and chorus, the latter appear ing as villagers, milknaids, outlaw kings foresters, archers and peddler The excellent staging was the result a few days work of Joe Kempe of tn Redmond company.
 The ensemble was very good lndee and the orchestra accompanied in ..ey7nnatbetic" manner-whatever ths is The costumes were by far the oe' tbat has been seen on our local stage with probable exception of w oodlanu which appeared here a decade ago.
 Phoenix should encourage the pro duction of things like Robin Hood; is a fine boost for the city as well as step upward in the artistic atmosphel away from the celluloid ribbons an manic floors. The opera will De rf Deated tonight for the last time 1T solar as the proceeds wSl go to the A. sociated Charities, which by the wa has been woefully neglected the pa
 sI,,r bond eeasons it would be @ood idea. for those who did not a TSnd last evening to do so tonight for cbgrity's sake-and get the surprl' .of a rattiing good bit of melody ar stage movement above the average ,,e,iaI local productions.