Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-26
"LASS|E" PROVES A
MUSICAL TREAT
Premiere, at The Playhouse, Sat-
urday Night, Was Decidedly
Pleasing.

A musical treat was enjoyed by q
Playhouse full OF people on Saturday
evening, when the curtain finally did
go up on the first performance on any
stage of 'Lassie," the new offering oi
Catherine Chisholm Gushing, author
Of the book and lyrics and Hugo Felix,
composer of the music. Both composer
and author have notable successes to their
credit, he for Madame Sherry" and
''Pom-pom, "and she for ''Pollyana' in par
ticular, and the result of their collabora-
ton seems destined to continue their
triumphs.
The story, as indicated by the title,
has Scotch setting, and flavor, with
London as contrast. The heroine, Kitty
Mackay is a modern Cinderella, boarded
out" waif who has grown up 10 beauty
and charm as the drudge under the
tempestuous sway of Mrs. McNab, the
foster mother, who already has trouble
on her hands III the shape of a bibulous
husband, Sandy, and peacock daughter
Lily. Life would be drab indeed TO
orphaned 'Lassie," but for the friend
ship of ''Winkie, the village innocent, F"
who reads fates in the winds and the
stars and is ever plating wreaths of
flowers or leaves for Lassie's adornment
rs the bride of the Fairy Prince whose
advent he foresees.
The prince appears at last in the person
of Lieutenant David Graham of the
Coldstream Guards, who is the envoy
of his father, the guardian of Lassie, TO
convey her 20 London and a fortune, and
Here the second act finds her, radiant
with happiness and In love with "Davie."
who reciprocates. But their dream is
shattered by the father, who confesses
that the baby girl put out with the
McNabs was Davies half-sister. So
Lassie returns 10 the Banks of Leith. as
also Winkie had predicted. But things
are much changed, for McNab has
become a reformed drunkad. and lives
under the shadow of death and in the
light OF his bible, awaiting the end,
albeit unwillingly.
He IS driven to confess the family
secret, that the original baby died and
that Lassie is the substitute. taken on to
secure the continuance of the board
money This opens the way 70 the
wedding, and all ends happily
This bare outline. is is hoped will serve
TO indicate the fact that here il q sure
enough plot, with an imaginative strain
that Lifts 1t at once out of the "Tin-pan
alley class of the ordinary cobbled.up
girls and music shows. and has inspired
the composer to flights of real musical
eloquence.
Added TO that the finding of heroine
with q voice as delightful as her mien and
manner are charming that is Tessa
hosta, who plays ''Kilty"-and an even
greater surprise, a lyric tenor of almost
operatic cahbre-that is James Harrod, a.
Ninkie-and you have already an en-
loyable work. But for good measure are
thrown in Philip Grayson, David's cousin
and Lady Gwendolyn. his fiancee. who
are Carl Hyson and Dorothy Dickson in
real life, and most attractive pair. Miss
Dickson dances most pleasingly, and has
developed singing voice that is very
cunning Her duett with Philip "Boo-
hoo IS one of the hits of the piece,
sharing honors with their other number
IN the third act, ''I'he Storm Her iris
tinted costume for this act is a dream of
beauty beyond words.
The echo" song Of Kitty in the first
act is marvel of sweet smooth high notes
u a delicious soprano, and her duett,
Fairy Whispers" with Winkie musical
The sextette, "a Teacup
md a spoon in the second act is variation
IN the "tinkie tinkle" idea that has lain
iormant for some time, in new produc-
ions, and verv catchy.
Added TO all these efforts Of the princi- |
pals rs the presence of a really pretty set |
Il chorus ladies, whose costumes are very |
iecorous In the earlier acts, and are only |
'aring out the kilt tradition in the last. |
The music is meritorious throughout, |
md rises to the heights of the inspiration |
# the text at the high points. A thicken-
ng up of the orchestral score, to give it !
more sustaining power, will probably
ONE with the real production: the affair
# Saturday night having been really a !
Ielayed dress rehearsal. the scenery and |
ostumes only arriving at noon.
The Washington enga cement begins !
onight.