The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1920-01-05

NntIonnl-.The Royal yagabond.-
Those more familiar with stage
history than this deponent say
that The Royal Vagabond" was
originally a perfectly good oper-
eta, but lacked the necessary
speed to keep pace with the vogue
in Broadway musical shows. At
ter a preliminary tour George NJ.
Conan. expert in diagnosing the
public taste. looked it over. added
the necessary paprika and the re-
vised production enjoyed a pro-
longed run on the Great White
Way.
Capital theatergoers who saw the
original found it difficult to real
ize the swiftly and smoothly run
ming performance given at the Ma
tional last night was the same
show in a new garb labeled Co
hanized Opera Comique."
There Is the conventional oper-
eta story in The Royal Vaga-
bond" The handsome prince who
loves the peasant girl. the humble
army officer who loves the titled
beauty and all the other familiar
elements are present, but the agile
Mr.. Conan refuses to let anyone
take IL all too seriously. Every
now and then he thrusts in a
dose of localisms and scintillating
satire to remind all that the fun
damental purpose is laughter and
not lament over involved court
ships. To make 1t thoroughly up
to-date he throws in a 1920 reso-
luton minus the bombs. When
the proletariat has triumphed all
the lovers are happily mated, which
is the ultimate purpose of all
playwrights.
To interpret all this is very
capable cast, competent vocally
and otherwise. Robinson New
bold is a light comedian of rare
talents with a well defined idea
of what is required and a capacity
to supply it. His Mikado speciality
was the outstanding hit of the
evening. Roger Gray. who is ia
miliar to Washington through
pleasantly recalled association with
the Poll musical stock players,
makes a droll. and at times. bois-
ferrous, Marcel the Barber. An
other graduate from the Poll stage.
whose talents run to terpsichore.
is Mary Eaton. who easily an
nexed the dancing honors with a
delightful solo number and as
partner of Lou Lockett.
Virginia O'Brien. as Anita Chef
check, the humble sweetheart of
the handsome prince. made a visit
full and satisfactory unhappy lover
and sang when the Cherry Bios
SONS Fair in a manner that COM
PEELED many encores. John Colds
worthy. Luis Simon, Grace Fisher,
Frances Demarest, Winifred Har-
ris. Frederick Harris and Charles
Wayne furnished splendid support
in the other important roles. and a
large chorus that could sing added
to the enjoyment.
In a Kingdom of Our Own"
Royalty" Love of Mine" and
"Goodby Bargravia" are but a
few of the musical numbers the
alter and movie orchestras have al
ready popularized. Julian Mitchell
and Sam Forrest have staged the
piece handsomely.
A large audience was generous
with recalls. They had a good
idea Of how the versatile Mr.. CO.
han works and seemed to be well
pleased with his method of trim
ming comic opera.
Beiasco - Concert DiplomatIaue,
The first of the Concerts DipIo-
matiQues," presented by Manager M.
+. kline's Chamber Music Society,
was held at the Belasco Theater last
night, the attraction being a Verdi
Puccini program sung by Nine.
Marie Rappold, soprano; Miss Kitty
Beale. soprano: Miss Helena Marsh.
contralto: Messrs. Giovanni Marti-
nelli, tenor: Rafaelo Diaz, tenor,
and Milo Pico, baritone. all of the
Metropolitan Opera Company, New
York, with Giuseppe Bamboschek, a
conductor of that company, at the
piano.
The first suite. composed of five
Puccini numbers, was opened DIV
Mr.. Diaz. who sang the aria ''E
lucevan lie Stella" from Tosca. His
enumeration was clean cut and he
sang with feeling and a smoothness
Of tone which was delightful. a.
Madame Marie Rappold followed
with two arias, one from Manon
Lescaut and the other from Tosca.
Madame Rappold's singing was far
superior to that at her last appear
800 "a " oShiHklOH. inns was par
ticularly noticeable in the Manon
selection. which she sang with rich,
vibrant tone. In the Tosca aria.
however. she sacrificed voice for
dramatic effect.
The next number was an aria
from La Boheme, sung by Mr.. Mar
tinelli. The Belasco Theater Is too
small a room in which to Judge his
voice. His artistry Is unquestioned.
a great auditorium being needed to
really appreciate and enjoy his
singing. Mr.. Martinelli was recalled
and sang the well known La Dom
ma Mobile"
Miss Kitty Beale, a Washington
girl. followed with the aria mi
Chiamano Mimi" from La Boheme.
which she sang with delicacy and
sweetness. In the following duet
with Mr.. Martinelli she was at a
disadvantage. her voice not being
heavy enough to blend.
The second part of the program
was made up of Verdi compositions.
The assistant manager, Leopold
Jacobson, announced that owing to
the illness of Mario LAURENT. Milo
Pico would sing in his stead. Hero
came the surprise of the evening.
Mr.. sPico's entrance was coldly re-
ceived by the audience. placing him
at once at q disadvantage, which
situation. however. he easily dis
PEELED. singing an aria from The