The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-19
"Maytime" at jefferson

pretty story of love that endures,
interviewer with a charming musical
Score. was presented at the Jefferson
thetre last night. "Maytime" proved to
be one of the most delightful of the
seasons operettas, or musical COM
edies.
The piece is as dainty and refreshing
as quaint oldfashioned novel and
with the exception of the last act
which is cast along modern lines. it is
redolent of bygone times in America.
dating from 1870 down to the present.
From hoopskirts to the last word in
Broadway fashions is a long jump. but
it is easily made in "Maytime" and the
story is carried along with the chang
ing styles, as the years powder the
heads of the original lovers and finally
they disappear to be succeeded bv their
decentralization
"Maytime' was written. both the
book and the lyrics. by Rida Johnson
Young. who has number of sue
cesses to her credit including "Spring
time" seen here not long since. The
music is of the haunting variety that
Is not soon forgotten and the story is
welcomed relief from the haekneved
themes that have been done to death
in musical comedy. Incidentally
"Maytime" is not an ordinary musical
comedy. 1t is above the average and
even without music contains enough
material to make an acceptable plav
Instead OF the usual trite bana1ities
Of fast life in New York. speedilv
transferred to Paris or some other EN-
ropean country. or perchance a tropical
land. with quick doubling back to
America for the last act. "Maytime" is
laid entirely in New York and it's plot
begins long before the era OF the flap-
per and the lounge lizard"
The love of Otillie Van Zandt. of a
patrician line, and her fathers appren-
tice, Richard Wayne, was not destined
to be sped happily. although it was NOT
their own fault. While Richard was in
South Africa acquiring millions. OF
title was forced to marry dissipated
ne well, Claude Van Zandt. Rich
ard returns and weds Alice Tremaine
but the old passion survives. even
after Otillie and Richard have grown
gray and the Van Zandt home is on the
market for debt. to be boueht in bv
Richard. Their great-grandchildren.
in the old home. conclude the love
story begun many years before and this
time fond hearts are united
An admirably balanced COMPANY an
pears in "Mavtime' Eileen Van Riene
acts and SINGS with much svmpathetic
charm in the role Of Ottillie and
Worthe Faulkner, possessed of an nm
usually good voice. is extremely well
suit>d to the character of Otillie's lover.
Harry r. Lester presents fine and
very amusing portrayal OF young
rake who becomes an old one, with an
'ncurable weakness for marrying, Rus
'ell Lennon acted Claude Van Zandt
with finish and the other characters
we're all capably presented. including
Matilda Van Zandt. Isabel Vernon;
Mice Tremaine. Eleanor Ricketts, and
colonel Van Zandt. Phil Branson. Later
on in the play Alfred Hemming gave
a diverting Characterization of an Eng
ish auctioueer; Eleanor Sidney an
oeared as Madame Delphine. proprie-
tress of a gambling resort Carmencita
fernandez danced gracefully as Es-
-rella Amorita, one of Mr. Barnum's
stars, and Marguerite Van Keys as Err
DAlbert of Broadway girl
show gave breezy impersonation of
he p-to-date chorus girl with an eve
On the main chance
will You Remember" is the SONG
nit of "Maytime," and an exquisite air
t is, but there are many tuneful melo- !
lies in the niece, which is one of the
most attractive in theme and treat
nent that has been seen on the local |
stage in a long while.
There will be a matinee this after |
loon and performance tonight.