The Washington times., 1921-05-17
THE CAST. 4

The President and Mrs. Harding
honored The wash1ngtonians" BY
their presence last evening at tn.
opening performance Of Victor Her
bert's tuneful opera. 'Sweethearts. E.
given at the Shubert-Garrick by this
group OF Washington singers ar
comedians. who have been DEVELOPS
at the Wilson Normal Community
Center by Rollin Bond. the director.
in the light opera" plan Of civie
| opportunity.
Two prima donnas grace the cast
and pretty incident OF the evening
occurred after the close Of the first
act. The two attractive sopranos ha
received a quantity Of flowewrs. and
when Estelle Murray. as the sprightly
French milliner. returned to acknowl-
edge the applause, she threw a large
bunch OF red roses into the Presi-
Dental box. and they fell right into
Mrs. Harding's arms. Mrs. Harding
graciously rose to acknowledge the
impulsive tribute.
It's a pretty romance. Sweet
hearts" OF the fairy-tale type. with
the prince who loved the humble
maid. and the laundry maid who
proved to be a princess. They loved
each other and one felt sure they
lived happily ever after. And the
chorus picture of the many laundry
raids, with stalwart soldiers for the
male chorus. which has, by the by. an
unusual strength in the teno~s.
brought brightness and youth into
some attractive scenes.
Ruth Peters and Estelle Murray di-
v'ded honors. Miss Peters, as "Syl-
VIA" claimed the foremost Singing"
nj a.I
free voice was hut an asset to her
sirlish beauty and her winsome inter-
probation of the heroine. Miss Peters
in two years has stepped into a "star"
part, singing like a young artist. The
waltz song she made most musical, 4,
her voice soaring up to prima donna
heights clearly. while she entered into
the fun of the music by a delightfully."-
vocal laughte~ in a duet with her
lover sung by Raymond Moore, BARI
tone, and created one of the most
fetching scenes in the Mother Goose"
chorus with the kiddies.
kIDDIEs AS "NURsERY RHYMES =
About twenty delicious kiddies CAPT.
tivated the audience in the Nursery
Rhymes incident. Embryo stars OF
future years, they ranged from about
four years to dozen, and they should
make "Sweethearts" a success with
the little folks of the city as well as
with the grown-ups.
Estelle Murray was the piouant
soubrette, picturesque and effective in
putting her songs across" with
esprit and some incidental dancing
Raymond Moore as the Prince had tn 9
legitimate vocal role for the men
which he gave exceedingly we'll. and
Edward Hines was a good philander-
ing lover.
The merrymakers deserve a special
place. stephen Fegan was a real fun
maker, spontaneously droll with a
distinct personality in this most, diff
ficult role for amateurs, the talking
singing comedian. Robert DalRleish
jr., an English travesty comedian
played the part delightfully."- and as
straight comedy that was remark ably
finished and most amusing. Norma
Eaton as Mother Goose" was an
amusing MRS. Malaprop." Theae
comedians had an excellent musical
quartet, and while the big concerted
chorus effects were ecellent, the male
chorus We'd with the laundry maids
for favor.
The Washingtonians will win in
favor, with good. wholesome comedy
and good. tuneful scores. A frst-
night has certain lapses that pass
with each performance. Sweet
hearts is enjoyable. and to Mr.. Bond
great credit is due for its success.
JESSIE MacBRIDE.