Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-22

wv innate the conclusion reachet
W in Tea for Three we mus
admire the clever approach adopted
by Roi Cooper Megrue in what hi
calls new angle on the triangle.
His argument is plausible, his de.
auctions logical, and the event pos.
sible-but. However, let Us moi
spoil the taste of the delectable dish
of tea served with such grace and
sincerity by dashing it with any
bitters of cynical distrust If peo-
pie think they can play with FIRE
and not get burned, talking to them
will not change their minds.
And it is the rarest tribute to the
skill of three actors that this charm
ing comedy of words is saved from
being mere talk-fest. Theirs it is
to put behind their words the sense
of meaning that gives them a quail
ity of interest to challenge and hold
the attention. How we'll this is done
scarcely can be told in mere words,
but Mr.. Hackett, Miss Mildred
Evans and Mr.. Hayden Stevenson
make it so real one almost forgets
il is at the theater and not tragic
episode of real life. In fact they
make it look so easy there is dan
ger that some darned fools will try
it. and land just about where those
things generally wind up.
As an exponent of Platonic love,
Mr.. Hackett argues long and we'll;
| only he does not pretend that his
passion lacks all fleshly attributes,
simply maintaining his balance be-
cause his devotion is such that like
Lovelace, he could mot love, her
half so we'll, loved he not honor
more" He gives to the crisp and
snappy epigrams the tang that bites
clean without irritating, and sends
home the philosophy-for it has
| philosophy and sound enought, too
-irresistibly. Omaha has come to
know Norman Hackett fairly we'll,
and to expect much from him, but
here he is displaying to better and
more convincing effect than ever
before his established ability.
Mildred Evans as the. wife must
po.sc herself between the husband
she honestly loves and the friend
who frankly avows his love for her,
and for whom she feels something
little deeper than friendship, not
an easy thing to do, and productive
Of some inevitable complications,
because of the altogether natural
jealousy of her husband. She is be-
tween Scylla and Charybdis most of
the time. and her inept fibs only
serve to make her innocence appear
guilt She is charming in evry way,
and convincing, too.
Mr.. Stevenson, as the husband
whose interest is in real estate deals
and who knows nothing whatever of
triangles, save as applied to tracts Of
city property he is trying to swing,
goes about his share of the evenings
work with an apparent relish, adding
the ingredient that saves the flavor
OF the comedy, and even at the end
makes the finish look quite the only
thing to do
Two minor roles, a maid by Miss
Newkirk and valet by Mr.. COIN, are
perefect in conception and presenta-
ton. This "lesson for Jealous hus-
bands" is certainly worth the effort.
The Chocolate Soldier" bids fair
to become the Uncle Toms Cabin"
OF the light opera world. One never
grows tired Of reading a good book
owe over again; and hearing and seeing
The Chocolate Soldier" again is the
same. Ralph Dunbar's revival Of
the George Bernard Shaw and Oscar
Straus comic opera opened a weeks
at the Brandeis last
night.
Those who appreciate good music
and delightful plot will find in "The
Chocolate Soldier" two hours and a
half Of excellent entertainment. |
Sparkling with cleverness and bub-
bling over with music of the sort |
that leaves lasting impression,
The Chocolate Soldier" has not
Gull moment in the entire produc-
ton. The plot itself, which is none |
other than Shaw's "Arms and the
Man." satire on the military of the
Balkans, has enough keen moments
to satisfy even if there was no music.
The cast of artists has been carefully
chosen for the Dunbar revival. A |
large chorus and pretty one, pic
turesque costumes, an unusually
good lot of principals and beautiful
stage settings and scenery all help
make this pleasing revival of the
otraus light opera a notable one.
Of the artists, the jolly, buster
ing Colonel Popoff of the Bulgarian
army as played by George O'Don-
nell, has a considerable share of
he limelight, and deserves it. James
stevens with his Dear Sir, Mister
Bumerli," is charming. Miss Hell
ma Morrill, has the difficult role
IF Nadina and her voice is a reve-
alton. George Shields as the
fiery mustached Massak-
.off does himself credit in this pic
.uresque part. Jack Phillips in the
ole of Alexius. the immaculate, ego
:istical hero, is a clever actor and
| charming tenor singer. Miss
lelba Alexander does we'll with the
,art of the saucy Mascha, niece
If Popoff. Miss Sylvia Thorne as
Aurelia, Popoff's wife, pleases.
The acts on this weeks Or
,heum program are as variant as
he points of the vaudeville compass
md each yesterday made success
vi bid for favor. Albertina Rlsch
md her interpretative dance srea-
ions, assisted by three young, IAN
.ers, violinist and pianist, has a
cal artistic offering. Miss Rasch
displays her own particular ability
n three numbers, "Menuet." Mus
tic" and "Chinoise." A pleas ing
personality and grace are the fac
Sm.l;e Culver and EIorence Trevor