The Washington herald., 1921-05-03

: Edward Delaney. Dunn's musical
adaptation. Of Barrie's whimsical ro-
nance. Equality Street" retains
much of the ori sinal charm Of the
play In rs new, garb. and Walter
Koilo, who provided the melodious
settings, has striven with more than
average success in furnishing .
tuneful score.
; Conceived as starring vehicle for
Miss Mande Adams. the central char
acter Of phoebe" Is essentially an
acting part, and the addition of
lyrics and music does not make its
prima donna aspect predominate.
~Phoebe" has . quaint little plot.
somewhat thin to spread over an en-
tire evening, but sufficiently dotted
with the sparkling lines Of Barrie
to make an appealing and interest
ing story. One suspects the deft
hand Of Mr.. Dunn In the prominence
given to the character Of Sergt Ter
ence O'Toole, . .boisterous and fire.
quently' humorous Celtic comedian Of
the old school. fitted with quips
hardly Barriesque, but nevertheless
supplying the needed laughter at
orportune moments. e..
II IL . delightful. love story that
Barrie tells in "Phoebe.- This cir
cumspect and winsome little maiden q
of Quality street has engaged In. .
harmless Irritation with a hand
some gentleman Of high birth, and
the romance has progressed WITH
mutual satisfaction until the youth
full swain enlists to meet the legions
Of Napoleon.
valestine Leaves Her.
Valentine leaves for the y front
without revealing the secrets of his
heart to Phoebe, and when the. fam
lily fortunes OF the latter are .dissi-
pated by unvise investments. the
well-educated miss and her tolder
sister start q private school to train
the young blood of England in cul-
ture and such.
II is to this environment that
Valentine after Eve years returns
as . captain in His Majesty's forces
to find the blithe and happy Phoebe
Of old. transformed by cares and q
lons-slumbering romance. into an
austere and serious minded woman.
He is impolitic enough to voice his
surprise and disappointment at her
eppcof 6hCct anu nOcDt. ptuued A.
his change OF feeling, refuses to- go
to the ball to welcome the home
coming Of the soldiers.
She conceives the plan Of. restor-
ing for a night the frivolous and
fiirtatious mannerisms Of the
youthful Phoebe and. thus disguised,
attends the ball as the mythical
niece of her real self. Valentine Is
at first captivated by the animated
bud with youthful grace and charm,
but before the evening is over dis
covers the subterfuge and. contrast
ing his sweetheart of. former days
with the more -matured Phoebe,
makes his choice for the 'conven-
tional happy ending. , = -"
Dorothy Ward Prsni.ert.
Dorothy Ward. an English ,prima
donna. ,enacts Phoebe" She sin ss
with a well rounded and vigorous
voice some of the choicest of the
Kollo. music ''waltzins is Passing
From SInnd to LAND :, has :. an: en-
trancing waltz theme. Dream Of
Joy" the haunting strains Of ia
miliar classics and Dawn sTuras ,to
Morntng." WAS offered with Warren
Proctor as a capital duet. As an
actress the. thought isScompelling, as
to ,hnw Miss Adams Interpreted, the
part. p =" - : -.
Warren Proctor. who possesses q
ROBUST and sweet tenor voice.
makes an ideal, !'valentine." He
sings with feeling Autumn Sun
and You'll Find the Rainbow ;tSo
ofFSthe best numbers Eand walks
away with the histrionic. honors as
the romantic young suitor. Shaun
Gienvihe.n an actor from the Abbey
Theater. Dublin enaSts the role of
-oRourke" with much noise and
some .slapstick but gamers his
share =, Of, laughter = aided by two
clever lyrical numbers. Other prin-
cipels are competent.
The shuberts have given the
piece an J.. exceptionally tasteful
mounting withH.<pehiod costumes
that are bound to charm the women
and the group Of children intro
duced in the school room parlor of
Acts have, been skillfully trained
and Add m st,r hlv 70 the anpaa |