New-York tribune., 1920-01-25
Vanished Traditions in Reyivals
Of Gilbert and Sullivan Operas

created by Gilbert and Sullivan-no
less by the latter than by the former.
Inc dominant idea of the SAVOY oneret
ia Ito give it name bv which old
timers VIII recognize it, was that it's
comcality should emerge from the
absurd things which We're said and
done by apparently serious personages
IN the most obviously sincere and m.
conscious manner. From this arose the
oei'E"ulul lncongrulty and paradox
when IS the essence of the Gilbertia n
comedy. 1t was intellectual. some
times so intellectual. indeed that il
went over the heads of the mult;tud.
as we suggested in this journal last
tuesday IN reviewing "Ruddigore," with
reference particularly to "Princess Ida 4"
Wnlch, we think, remains the finest ex-
ample OF Gilbert's literary skill. But
'he public acquired an education in
''me' or public of a ditfcren, kind
'ooS the place of the old public which
round delight in a man with a funny
lace, funnily dressed. doing f,rn',
'hings IN the most obviously FUNNY
manner.
sharp Contrast in Methods
When Mr. Moulan. as Robin Ool.
PIE appears on the stage and grins jdi-
o'icai!y at the audience in exnecta,;on
OF applause he gets it. But he is no,
paying the part as Mr.. Gilber, in
'e"oeo 1t TO be played and as Mr..
george lhornc, fresh from instruction
u"oef Mr. Gilbert, played it thirty
'hree years ago. Mr.. Craig Campbell
y very we'll as very we'll goes, in the
part of Richard Dauntless; but NJ.
Nourtce Pounds, who came to II. fron,
Nlloerts training school, did not need
10 attempt what Mr. Campbell evidant1,,
cohcelves to be an English sailors din
iect. Miss Caldwell is refreshin1lv and
pe"ltchngly dainty as Rose Mavh,a
Dut she is, nevertheless, supremelv con.
sclous OF what she is doinp wbarnou
s"e ought never obtrude the incon-
eru''v between her apparently inrenu-
Gus character and her conduct unon tbo
puohc notice. She should not male
even veteran critic cocnizant Of tbu
TACT 'hat she has studied and crod;.
"''s learned the business" of her part
Mr.. Gilbert has left US q common, on
the action of one Of the scenes v,,,iA
gives deep insight into his ideals of
comedy. Roses dealing with the book
OF etiquette,' he wrote. "should not ho
self conscious; she is perfectly in ear
nest and should display no sense Of in
oonerul'y' We abase ourselves before
'he cynical young men of the present
generation when we feel warmth IN
'he cardiac region while we recall NOM
ores of Geraldine Umcr as Rose and
flt'I-Sing. But we hope to be FORGIVEN
even by Miss Caldwell.
A significant circumstance significant
TO ancient observers last Monday even
ing was Tho passing without notice. an
parentiy, OF two Incidents in "Ruddi-
gore" which provoked considerable crit
ica' comment and even feeling whom tbe
'T''s|'' a. HtSC gwen In London IN
February, 1887. There was scarcely 8
laugh when Richard saved Rose from
'nc threatened violence of Rohjn's min.
IONS by pulling n tiny Union Jack frou
h'N "alstcoa' pocket, holding i. over his
or'do'S- mead, and saying: "Whilc ,h;s
glorious r"g floats over Rose Maybuds
mead the man does n>l live who yould
dare 10 lay unlicensed hands upon hertz
n" last generation could sec in th,s
DIV 81 extravaganza rebukc to thc
cnauY'n'sm and "By Jingolsm" Of an
'afl'er British dag and smile a, il ms
also at Richards fret nautical ballad
when TX 50 delightful that. old AZ !,
~ fsod by the force Of circumstance
1"@), ne reprint it here:
! shipped, Eye see, in revenue sloon
And, OF Cape Finisterre.
rnerchantman We see.
a Frenchmsn going free.