The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-04
1.-THE VELVET LADY"
Is DELIGHTFUL PLAY
Victor Herbert, Who Composed
Melodious Score, Conducts
the Orchestra.
HE PRAISES COWORKERS
Fred JaeksOn's "A Full House,
Set to Music, Produced
at New Amsterdam.


How fortunate the composers and. for
that matter, the managers of the musi-
cal pieces are nowadays. They no longer
have TO struggle with the writer's OF
libretti. who may and may not happen
to hit the public taste. The manager
does not see his investment fade away
prematurely, nor does the composer waste
his score-we have sometimes believed.
however. that they use them over again
Just because there is not enough plot
In the book or because the Jokes are
poorer than usual.
Now these dangers have happily been
removed by the tried process Of picking
out a popular farce or maybe comedy
for tho libretto. There Is little or no
risk about that method OF creating a
libretto. OF course 1t Is not always the
fault Of the book that a musical piece
fnils TO survive. The score may even
play its part in bringing It's career to
an end. But 1t takes some little tech
meal knowledge to realize how bad mu-
sic may be while q poor Joke Is readily
recognized by the least critical hearer.
A Good Foundation.
In The Velvet Lady" which Elaw &
Erianger produced last night at the New
Amsterdam Theatre. this newer process
has been followed. For its foundation
the new piece had no less successful a
farce than "A Full House" which Fred
jackson gave TO New York several years
ago At the Longacre Theatre. No less OF
an adept than Henry Blossom embroid-
cred this original With lyrics. He lef,
the original farce In its three acts. The
cooperation Of Victor Herbert. however
did most to start the farce on its new
lease OF life.
Mr. Herbert last night conducted the
orchestra as we'll. and II was he who. 70
still the enthusiasm OF the audience, APP
pcared after the second act. He thanked
the public for his collaborators as well
which was appro pr late. since II was not to
hank Mr.. Herbert alone that he had been
called out. He has written a melodious
and graceful score with the customary
inspiring march and the usual seductive
waltz. he has indeed set the words &c
the play TO delightful music; but Henry
Blossom has frightened the new libvetto
with appropriate w!tticisms and supplied
ninble lyrics and Klaw 4 Granger ha vs
done their share of the task with the
usual generosity.
Mr.. Herbert struck the right note
therefore when he mentioned these fel.
low workers as entitled TO a share In
| the success OF the event, for The Vel
vet Lady" makes an evening OF bright
and cheering entertainment OF the best
kind.
Farce Wears Well.
Mr. Jackson's farce bears up well UNI
der the application OF so many addi-
tonal charms. The fun that used 10
fall 10 May Eokes Is entertainingly
~ tal h,.
was never too extravagant to be funny
and Jed Prouty plays the real burglar
with a sense OF probability that makes
his contribution OF humor the more ef-
fectlve. Ernest Terrence is the discreet
butler and Ray Raymond plays the sus-
pected husband with ease and not only
acts but sings and dances we'll.
Eddie Downing as the amusing police
man had one laughable duet with Mr.
Terrence. Marie Flynn was a graceful,
CURE Is the young wife. and a back
ground OF uncommon loveliness appeared
in every act. The chorus was always
CARRIED, not only with richness. but with
| taste and da!ntness. and some OF the
surprises OF the evening came from rs
forces. Una Fleming war one. and her
graceful participation In n dance with
Mr. Raymond stopped the second act
Then Janet Mcllwaine issued as a COB
| lin to do Srotesaus dance With III
usual experiences in the Halloween scene
This important and successful chorus
blew bubbles into the air with virtues
'ty, sang a part song unaccompanied
danced with limitless grace and verve
and contrived 10 look lovely all the time
which is sufficient evidence of It's aualif
cation for a share in the success OF
THE Velvet Lady But there were
only the successful features Of a musical
entertainment to be noted in the new
piece from whatever angle one might
view H.