Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-01
"ERMINIE" REVIVAL
BRILLIANT SUCCESS
Jakobowski operetta, With viii.
son and Hopper, Wakes Old
and Makes New Memories

ForrcSt--Those two gay youths--per-
petual vouths--of the theatre, Francis
Wilson and De Wolf Hopper stopped
Jakobowslti's show Of "Ermine." Their
entrance was not the only stoppage OF
| theatrical traffic, nor the last Madge
Lcssing marched gallantly toward the
footights as Captain Delaney and It
took some time before proceedings could
proceed And when Jennie weathersby. in
her original role OF the Princess of thlr-
ty-hve years ago. entered IN the ballroom
scene, she, too. received an ovation.
Such mere Interruptions as those for
encore after encore for Rosamond
Whitcsde's waggish and pantomimic
"Ohe. Mama" Irene williams Lullaby"
md Warren Procter's Darkest the
Hour" wero so big that they would
have made the reputation and success
OF the average musical comedy of today.
but even they were dwarfed by the large
and generous welcomes given the mem
hcrs Of the original cast or OF early re-
vivals And the receptions were as de-
served as they were cordial. ror the prln-
clpals named Of the older school did not
trade on past performances. but gave
urstintcdly OF real and meritorious
talent.
Tho agility Of Mr Wilson was simply
marvellous, not merely in respect to his
age, but 70 any age. And he was full
Of sly drollcrics that cropped out spon-
taneously. The pseudo -ponderous humor
of Hopper was heavyweight only in its
capacity for drawing laughter. His
put-on dignity, his gravity in keeping up
appearances as the spurious Nscomte,
y l.
neck pal were always delightful. lie
too was light on his feet, but not quite
so light as Wilson. his senior by five
years. II you want TO know, Wilson Is
quoted at siXty-seven years. And Miss
LessnE was militarily smart and very
1.-the -limbcd In her natty uniform.
As far as that goes neither did the
JakobCwski operetta. originally pro-
duced in 1885, owe much of its present
great success to It's past prestige. "Er-
tertatnment. 1t Is more than a thcatri-
cal antiquity or n curlo of the light
operate stage Tho tunes are still of
vital melody, the scoring Is varied and
musiCianly. the plot is romantic, fantas-
tic and funny and does not seem to
suffer on account OF its cleanliness Of
line and situation, and both dialogue
and action of the comedy are surpriS-
ingly free from the d-faShiOned-at
least as compared with the newest of
Broadway hits OF the same species
There has been little rctOuChing-I
according TO those who enjoyed the orig
iual production, a surprising number Of
whom were present and checking off
So funny. so delightful. was the revival
that Il was hard TO determine who were
enjoying It the most the Eray-haircd
ladies and the bald-headed gentlemen
who were checking of the new version
against the oldcn memories, or the
younger generation who doubtless came
TO piece out their theatrical education
ard remain to applaud among the loud
est
Old memories were stirred by the
roguish, rollckIng vagahonds Of Hop
per as Ravennes, and Wilson as Ca
dCauX (Which he CreatedJ the Captain
OF Miss Lessing, and the Princess oil
Miss Wcathersby among those who had
seen the earlier productions OF "Er-
MIME" and new and agreeable memories
were made for the younger crowd Of
theatre-gocrs The Eugene OF Warren
Proctor. the Cerise OF Alice Hanlon, the
JavOtte of RosamOnd Whiteside the
Ermino OF Irene Williams. were all OF
fine vocal distinction. and quite in the
comic spirit OF the play. The remaining
members of the cast were wholly eX-
CCllent the chorus vas notable for its
balance and precision OF song The set |
t!ngS and costumes were IN the best OF
taste
Mcssrs Wilson and Hopper added 70
the gayctY by delicious ,impromptu"
scene before the curtain after the sec
ond act.