The Washington times., 1921-05-03


occasionly taken by the adapter who
Ia credited with the present produc-
ton. But he has at least preserved
the spirit OF the original and manages
to follow the skeleton OF equality
Street" with fair degree OF ac-
cufacy; anyway. the averaee auditor
will not detect the difference.
Now, Quality Street" deals with
the period OF the Napoleonic ware
with settings in . quaint English
village and concerns the AFFAIRS OF
the two prim and always lady-l
Throssel sisters who dwell In the
exceedingly prim thoroughfare which
gives the play Its title. Susan, the
elder. Is fast approaching spinster-
hood, while the other. Phoebe, is Just
experiencing her FIRST romance in her
acquaintance with young gentle
man OF the town, Valentine Brown
to whom the sisters refer as ~ B."
But Mr.. Brown is himself shy and
having once nerved himself to kiss
Miss Phoebe because her cheek was
wet by the spray from the fountain"
is unable to further declare his affec-
lions. And leaving matters thus, he
enlists for the wars leaving Phoebe
disconsolate.
Five years elapse between this pro-
logue and the frst act--the original
had II ten. you may remember--and
In the meantime the Throssel fortunes
have suffered q reversal to such an
extent that the pretty little biue-and-
white home has been changed into a
school for the children of EentIefolk.
Gone are the dancing curis of Miss
Phoebe and care has settled on her
features. At this point. w. b." now
n nj n ~
senses the fact that he has observed
the difference in her appearance.
A regimental ball in celebration of
the victory OF Waterloo Is about to
be held, but Phoebe. for reasons be-
fore given, refuses to accompany the
captain. He departs. and In despera-
ton for her lost youth she determines
to be Phoebe OF the dancing curls
just once more. She attires herself
as old. and when the captain sud
denly returns. denies that she Is
Phoebe at all. but really Miss Livvy."
Phoebe's niece.
Her appearance at the ball proves
a sensation and Brown monopolizes
her throughout the evening, tending
TO make even stronger her belief that
he loves Miss Livvy and not the real
Phoebe. But this impression is
eventually shattered, and Phoebe,
never again to be Miss Phoebe of the
cap and gray gown. but always
Phoebe OF the dancing ringlets. at last
nnds that her romance has reached
fruition.
The particularly tunefuI quality of
the music adds much to the charm OF
the whole. and to mention several Of
the numbers would mean a slight to
others just as appealing. However,
the duet, Dawn Turns to Morning"
Little Wallfiowers," and "Waltzing
Is Passing From Land to Land" are
particularly worthy and were well
rendered
Dorothy Ward. an English actress,
has the role of Phoebe. and Is the pos
SCISSOR Of a voice Of refreshing beauty.
Warren Proctor, as ~. b., sings .
rich, full tenor. a voice we'll above the
average.
Jessamine Newcomb presents q
sweet figure as Susan, and the Misses
McCord, Tindal and Pettes are most
effective in the roles of the three
gossipy maiden ladies of Quality
Street.
Much OF the humor of the broader
sort Is furnished by Shaun Gienviiie.
a London Importation, and Gertrude
Nudge. in the characters Of the re-
cruiting sergeant and the maid. re-
spectively. Their humor 10 distinctly
not ofsthe Barrie order-Barrie never
uses a bludseon-but formed enter
tsining relief. nevertheless.
Seven Of the most delightful kid
DIES ever seen on the stage have an
al; too brief bit in the sch S)lroom
scene of the first act, and one of the
youngsters. a little miss of seven.
whose first name is not clearly ident-
ited by the program, in a fve-minute
session with Sergeant O'Toole. had
the audience laughing to such an ex-
tent that 1t almost cried.
A very select chorus OF beauty and
charm, arrayed in costumes which II
Is difficult to believe, prevailed In
England at the time of the play, is
seen none too often. There is also q
small male chorus. but a male chorus
is always just what IL Is, whether ar
rayed in the bright red coats OF
Washington's time or carrying
spear in the modern Broadway pro-
dGction.
The success of Phoebe of Quality
street" seems predestined. but pray
good folk. allow us to call attention
In conclusion. that at least one re-
viewer has covered a Barrie work
without even once employing that
faithful old standby word Of all Bar
rie's whimsical.
Which Is something to be thankful
for.