Evening star., 1925-07-14
'P|NAF ORE PLEASES
LARGE AUDIENCE.
"SaIty" Light Opera Sung
Before Enthusiastic
Listeners at Polls.

The Washington Opera Company
employed one of the tried and true
recipes for excellent light opera pro-
vided by Gilbert and Sullivan. with
gratifying results last night when
they presented that saltwater master
piece, III. NJ. S. Pinafore," at Polls
Theater before a comfortably large
and obviously entertained audience.
Many were the rounds of applause
that expressed the pleasure in the
work of principals and chorus.
The plot of "Pinafore" is one of
the most ridiculous in light opera.
1t tells of Buttercup, who, in her
youth, mixed up two babies placed
in her care. One grew up to be the
gray haired captain, father of the fair
heroine; the other must have been a
much younger infant for he, as the
opera opens, Is the young and gallant
sailor in love with this captains S
daughter. Then, when all wrongs
have been righted, this same Butter
cup is apparently made happy ever
after by marrying that particular
baby that she trotted on her knee,
who grew up to be the doughty cap
tain only TO find that, after all, he
was of lowly origin and should be but
a common sailor. 1t is charming
opera, with melodies that have proved
their worth through many years.
Interpretation Pleases.
Eleanor La Nance adds to her sing
ing laurels in the role of the mis-
chievous Buttercup and also seems to
have acquired more ease in dramatic
interpretation. Francis Tyler is eX-
cellent as the repugnant-appearing
Dick Deadeye, and Sudworth Frasier
appears to advantage in the role of
the young and impetuous tar who
loves his captains daughter. Helena
Morrill, is sweet as Josephine, and
Augusta Spette is a charming young
Hebe. Edward Orchard sings the role
of the captain eXcellently from a
dramatic point of view, but his tones
are inclined to be throaty and the
words of his serenade were scarcely
audible, even a few rows beyond the
footlights.
Robinson Newbold won much ap-
probation with his Interpretation of
the great Sir Joseph of the Queens
Navee and had to repeat his verse
about any clerk being able to become
admiral If he stays away from the
sea. He also interpolated a novelty
monologue in the intermission that
was somewhat reminiscent of the de-
lghtful curtain speeches of Mr..
Hopper last year and seemed equally
popular with the audience, who lis
tened to Concerning a Few Murders"
quaint comments on a humorous in
depreciation of Annie Laurie" and
the tragic tale of a single hair with
keen amusement.
Chorus Work Praised.
Chorus and cast alike should be
praised for their fine enunciation.
The well trained chorus sang with fine
attack and coloring. The dainty
charm Of the pretty girls in this
chorus added considerably to the sue
cess of the production. Mr.. Tyler and
Pierre Remington, admirable as the
boatswain, swung the male choruses
into line with fine effect. 1t wouldn't
go amiss for these young sailors to
attempt q little better teamwork on
that hornpipe step, however, as last
night they rather marred the gen
orally professional atmosphere of the
production with their hop, skip and
jump effect.
Max Hirschfield, conductor, kept his
orchestra at brisk tempo and suitable
volume for the vocal numbers, sus-
tanning the rollicking charm of the
music admirably.
Edouard Albion, director of the COM
pany, is to be congratulated upon
another successful production.