The Washington times., 1919-11-18
POLLS.


The pendulum has swung back
again. That, of course, is inevitable
Seasons of ever increasing speed in
syncopation which resulted in dizzy
heights of jazz have at last shim-
meyed themselves out. Enter The
Rose of China" a real operetta-a
product, a Com
stock-Guest presentation with music
by Armand Vecsey-an inspiration
and a delight to those who have
yearned for real comedy, real music
and n lily painted as only Joseph
Urban Is capable Of doing 1t.
THE CAST.
Ton Ka. a Chinese dancer, Louise brownel
Ting Fang Iee...........st ;.,..... - Stanley Ridges
TesO Ling. a wealthy merchant;
Tommy Tllford. Oscar Shaw
Wilson Peters. Frank Mcintyre
Polly Baldwin. Cecil Cunningham
Thomas e. jackson
Sr. ace uaS hoosoni 49,: ,no,hsr 'Cyn'hia fef0'
Edna May oliver
Guy Bolton and p. G. wodehouse.
whose other successes have led the
casual theater goer to expect some
thing ultra modern IN bedroom farce
musical comedy, switched their set
ting with consummate skill 'The
Rose of China" is cleverly conceived,
the plot is delightful and reminiscent
only at times of Madame Butterfly"
and gives full sway to interpretations
OF catchy musical gems and lines
which are distinctly new and witty.
Armand Vecsey has pointed an en-
tirely new way for modern compos-
ers. Tuneful, smoothly nrchestrated,
refreshingly sweet in melody, the
Rose of China" stamps Vecsey as a
thorough student OF Oriental music
which has been delightfully."- trans
posed into an operetta which seems
destined to rank with the best ef-
forts OF the days when light opera
was an actuality in every sense.
Comstock and Gest have selected
principals with a fine hand. Joseph
Urban has outdone himself, literally,
for no more beautiful artistry in set
ting has been viewed than those of
the Rose of China"
Mistaken identity leads to the plot
of the story. Tommy Tilford and
Wilson Peters are two Americans in
Shlhd Is 10
Hobson. Peters had had many ad-
ventures of the heart and has left
the United States after a matrimonial
adventure through the mediums of
the personal columns of a newspaper.
Grace Hobson and aunt and Polly
Baldwin. Peters mail-order fiancee
are en- route to China unknown to
the gentlemen.
Tilford = rescued from the Tong
| mob by LiGg Tao after proving a
knight errant to Polly Baldwin.
Peters happens in the garden at the
time Ling Tao is showing unmistak-
able signs OF falling in love with
Tilford. The fat salesman kisses the
Chinese maiden and is observed.
| Whereupon Ling Tao loses caste.
Her influential father commands a
| marriage with the interloper and
| when Tilford and Peters are brought
to brook, Ling Tao chooses Tilford.
The arrival of Grace Hobson and
Polly Baldwin complicate matters
| until the affair is finally adjusted to
the entire satisfaction of the delight
full Chinese maiden, and Tilford,
Polly Baldwin and Peters and all con-
cerned
1t Is difficult to do justice to the
| general excellence OF the cast. Jane
hiShdIu uson as ing Lao possesses a
remarkable voice and is tempera-
mentally suited for the part OF the
Chinese maid. Oscar Shaw, as Tommy
Tilford, Is at his best throughout,
while Frank Mcintyre gets more than
the most out of the comedy role
Cecil Cunningham. as Polly Baldwin,
Is unusually clever. The minor parts
are well taken and all of the voices
are exceptionally good.
Songs that are catchy are Bunny
| Dear" college Spirit" Romeo and
Juliet" Yesterday" "Our Chinese
| Bungalo," and Broken Blossoms"
Pittsburgh stamped approval upon
the newest operetta; Washington
thinks II Will be an unusual New
YORK success as it completely salts
ned large first-night audience.