Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-06
AMUSEM EN1'S
New National.

! In these days of overthrown and
/ tottering thrones the tale of the DEM
ocra tization of the mythical kingdom
| of Bargravia through the love of it's
crown prince for a commoner, unfold
| ed in a charming musical comedy,
| "'The Royal Vagabond," at the New
National Theater last night, strikes
| a popular note. But this latest pro-
duction of Conan & Harris deserves
| far greater praise and a more perma-
nent place in the history of operetta
| and lyric music than its mere time
liness. The charm of lifting music.
the beauty of voice and face and
figure, the humor of the lines and the
really magnificent costuming and
staging of the production insure the
success of "The Royal Vaga bond"
which goes to New York from wash
ington at the end of this week.
The music is by Dr. Anselm Goetzl,
and the book and lyrics by Stephen
Ivor Szinnyey and William Cary Dun
can. who wrote the Riddles Three
(which is remembered by Washington
theatergoers with pleasure. There are
more than a score of musical num-
hers and all are excellent. Among
the more striking are Love Is Love-
The Test of Love- and The Thistle
down Girl"
The principal parts are taken by
tCoralinn Wade, as Anita, daughter of
the keeper of the Kings Head Inn:
Douglas Stevenson, as Stephan, the
icrown prince Of Bargravia: Tessa
kosta. a Lady Helena. destined by the
queen as bride for the prince; Rob-
inson Newbold, as Aubrey Montague
Hopkins, tutor to the prince: John
Goldsworthy. as Col. Ivan Petroff, lover
of the Lady Helena; Frances Damarest.
as Nioletta, first lady of the bath and
sister of the queen; 1gnacio Martinetti.
Louis Simon, as the brother of Marcel;
Winifred Harris. as the queen: Gladys
'Zell and Edna Pierre, as Wanda and
JoSette. two incompatible republicans.
and Helen Pierre, A. Lambert, Howard
Ash, George Leonard, Julian Winters
and Walter Palm.
Miss Wade sings with great charm
and won the instant sympathy of the
audience. Miss Kosta has u voice of
rare quality and her songs with MIR.
.GoldSworthy made a distinct impress
sion upon the large and enthusiastic
audience Douglas Stevenson, the
crown prince, is far better actor
than most crown princes in operettas
and plays with dash withal of true
vagabond as well as a royal person.
age In company with his tutor, the
prince travels his capital city fire.
quentfy and becomes known as the
king of the Streets" He falls in love
Win ANITA, daughter OF the lnkeep-
er, and rather than give her up joins
the revolutionists, abdicates his
throne and is chosen first president
of the republic. Much of the humor
of the operetta rests upon the capable
shoulders of Mr. Newbold, whose
whimsical mannerisms and droIl per-
sonality made his appearance always
welcome. Ignacio Martinetti and
Louis Simon creditably bear their full
share of the humorous parts.
Dances by Adelaide and Hughes,
beautifully executed. added to the in
terest. The chorus is remarka Bile for
its beauty and well trained voices. A
male chorus is another indication that
peace is once more at hand. A notice
of THE Royal Vagabond" would be
incomplete without reference to the
numbers in which Stephan, Hopkins
Wanda and Josette sang and danced
themselves into favor, including "A
Nice Little Girl on the Side" and
What You Don't Know Won't Hurt
You"
Julian Mitchell and Sam Forest
staged The Royal Vagabond," and
the richness of the costumes and the
beauty of the scenery add appreciably
to the production.