Evening star., 1926-03-23
ADJUSTMENTS
POLI'S-"Carmencita and the
Soldier"

Lovers Of the individual and beau
tiful in the theater will find delight
full experience in store for them at
Polls Theater this week, where the
music studio Of the Moscow Art Thea
ter Is presenting two operas, Carmen
cita and the Soldier" and "Lysistrar
ta." "Carmencita and the Soldier" a
Russianized version OF the Merrimee
story, the product of the music
branch Of the Moscow synthetic thea
ter, was given splendid presentation
last night.
The music studio Of the Moscow Art
Theater is not fad. 1t Is a beautiful
conception. a strikingly novel venture
deserving Of the attention of those who
patronize the best.
"Carmencita and the Soldier" Is
Carmen" as this particular school
Of Russia art sees 1t. 1t Is the story
of the flaming gypsy. v!vidly. bril-.
liantly acted as we'll as superbly sung.
In it's Interpretation by this capable
group "Carmencita" finds its de-
departure from the conventional pro-
duction Of the Bizet opera. In the
hands Of Olga Baklanova the beau.
tiful nomad, who lived for love alone.
that is the Merrime concept. Equipped
with a beautiful voice and q brunette
beauty that fits the role to perfection.
Baklanova makes Carmen a charac-
ter Of compelling power.
The music Of the opera has been
transmitted to fit the Russian concept.
but the Bizet flavor unmistakably Is
maintained. Baklanovas interpreta.
ton Of the"Habanera," when she Is
making her first overture for the love
of the yokel soldier, Don Jose. was
given the ovation 1t deserved. In the
other big music Of the production
she was superb.
Ivan Velikanoff sings Don Jose. the
stupid Navarran, who falls madly in
love with the gypsy and whose dull
ness leads him to cut Off his own re-
treat when she begins to tire Of him.
Velikanoff brings a delightful, pow.
erful tenor voice and striking his
difficult role. Pyotr Saratavsky, cast
as Lucas, the nlatador, who wins the
gypsy from the stolid soldier, has O
rich baritone fully adequate to the de.
nlands Of the music, and his interpre.
tation Of the character attains the
high standard set by the company as
a whole.
The other soloists and members Of
the chorus have fine voices and talent
to meet the demands of an opera su.
perbly acted. Yet 1t is as an en-
semble that the performance must be
first regarded. Alterations are fre.
quent and no singer Is permitted to
establish a monopolistic claim to any
particular role.
The setting is feature Of "Car.
mencita" worthy Of comment. BY
masterful use of light and shadow.
bizarre and fascinating effects are
achieved.
This engagement Is worthy Of atten.
ton as the most sincere, competent
and original grand opera this city has
heard in many seasons. After the final
curtain the audience remained to ex.
press it's enthusiasm by no less than
eight curtain calls.
BELASCO-"A Great Little Guy"
Those lucky enough to be at the
Belasco Theater last night witnessed
the birth of a lively and admirable
contribution to the realm Of comedy
drama--"A Great Little Guy"
Typically American, never smacking
Of foreign influence so common In
comedy productions of today. this play
moves through three acts with a de-
lightful balance, accentuated by sharp
characters and carefully observed
dramatic unities. It leaves a most en-.
yjoyable atrertaste.
The story is q tale which easily
lends itself to dramatic treatment. At
the outset we see a young husband,
home to cook supper for a tarrying
wife whom he adores after one year
of married life. and couple who have
been engaged for nine years dropping
in to enjoy an evening meal in the
sS5 per month apartment The great
little guy has just gotten a dispossess
notice. He has to move In five days.
He is anti-sham. When his wife
comes in she is all for sham and pre-.
tense-fake jewelry, high aims. Her
philosophy is: Sacrifice everything to
get things that make you look rich;
associate with the rich, and then
why you'll get rich yourself. The little
guys philosophy is: Be yourself-plug
along and you'll get there.
Under stress of the diSpossess notice
and under urgings by his wife and
friends, he creates q mythical million
aire father for himself. and gently
breaks the news to a hypocritical land
lord. with the result that this smilinS