The New York herald., 1921-09-30

The operetta called Blossom Time"
at the Ambassador Theatre last night,
had been awaited rather more impa-
tiently than most works of the kind.
II was known to number of theatre
goers. at least as the phrase Is. by
reputation. This knowledge had. more
over, prejudiced all in its favor
Inc piece Is in a measure a survival
OF the war. When the Central Powers
were at war with the Allies the operetta
filled its theatres in Berlin and Vienna.
Nor did the Increasing hardships of the
times tend to diminish the capacity OF
the public 20 enjoy it. What is per-
haps still more remarkable is the sue
cess OF the work at what was once the
irving Theatre in this city. 1t was sung
under its original title there-it was
known in German as ''Dreimadelhaus'-
icnger than any other play. musical or
otherwise, had ever been seen before
In the history of the German theatre
in New York.
Naturally, its arrival in the vernacu-
lar had to be little delayed. The causes
OF It's success everywhere we're not, how
ever. OF a kind to be withered by time.
Ihls story OF Franz Schuber.'s love af-
iair Is musically Illustrated by his own
compositions. A musical nation loved.
thus employed. After all, one did not
have to be musical to enjoy the operetta
last night. The principal theme Of the
diminished symphony" was the motive
OF one episode. And that could also be
neard In the Follies few blocks further
downtown.
An apochryphal love affair OF the
composer who delights to frequent the
mouse OF the three maidens, makes up
the story. The gentle music maker
sacrinces the girl of his choice to an
other. There Is enough intrigue to
keep the story moving gracefully. The
music, however. which Is throughout a
lovely and melodious accompaniment Is
the point OF novelty in Blossom Time" /"
NOBODY need be afraid of the name
OF Schubert in connection with the
score. The most popular numbers have
In every case been selected Sig
mund Romberg has occasionally come
to the assistance Of the famous song
writer but he has done 1t expertly
since he Is proficient in the Vienna
modes.
The quaint old world atmosphere OF
the play which passes In the Prater
and In the home of the court teweller.
the rococo fashions OF old Vienna and
above all the music combine to make
Blossom Time" charming and more
over charming In a novel way.
II is true that one had occasionally
the sensation OF having b1urted into d
session OF the Eichenkranz Mannerchor,
bit The male voices were well managed
Bertram Peacock incarnated with simple
effectiveness the part of the composer
and sang better than any of his associ-
ates. They might we'll have copied his
artistic style. Howard Marsh was an
engaging lover and has an excellent
voice. So has Miss Olga Cook, who
played the heroine. Indeed. there was
a sincere effort 10 do justice to the
musical side OF the performance and this
was in the main highly successful.
Miss Dorothy Donnelly had adapted
sprightly talk and graceful lyrics from
the original OF wilmer and Reichert
She had. moveover. given a most anus
ing scene in the second act. to William
Denforth and Robert Patton Gibbs. II
was a proof that comedians may still
be artistic and at the same time very
funay.