The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-01-07
"FIORETTA" IS
A M USICAL
OF BEAUTY
BY ANDREW r. KELLEY

came d COIlInuHlquS " lle SOh-
eral effect that soon would is
sue a new musical comedy which
would send that producers name
down to undying theatrical glory.
''Fioretta," unfolded at the Ma
tional Theater last night appears
to be the fulfillment of this
ambitious promise.
"Fioretta" is of the swash-
buckling school of operettas,
where brocaded silks and laces,
flashing swords and royal ro-
nance are mingled with dazzling
beauty and melody. Mr.. Carroll
pours from the wings to people
his stage an assemblage of the
loveliest of girls in costumes that
are a riot of harmonious color
and opulence. Cardinal red,
gorgeous blues, rich mountings
of gold and harlequinade flashes
make "F'ioretta" as compelling
and enhancing eye entertainment
as ever flood lights were turned
on. Truly a study in what the
modern musical can provide for
magnifiCence.
The book of "Fioretta" is a free
adoption of Don Caesar de
Bazan," comedy which served
: Edwin Booth in other days of
eminence. 1t has been fitted to
an exceptionally tuneful score by
George Bagby and G. Romili
and offers at least three numbers
that are memory lingering.
Its story, set in Venice, tells OF
the romance of Count di ROVani
for the pretty Marietta Pepoli,
queen of the carnival. How her
charms attract the fancy of the
Duke of Venice and the obstacles
which beset the path of the low
ers, until the count duels his way
to victory. You may note sim
. ilarity to Stanley Weyman's "Un.
der the Red Robe" or perhaps a
parallel to the Vicissitudes of MI
lady and D'Artagnan, but these
operettas in theme are all much
the same in their artful absurdity.
"Fioretta s. story is yet u little
vague in the dramatic telling,
but l suspect that the essential
pruning to keep within the pre-
scribed bounds of theater eve
ming has left some rough edges.
Indeed, "Fioretta' abOunds in so
many good things the story is
only incidentally cumbersome.
Although "FiOretta" is heralded
as three-star show, Leon Enroll
is the Mars of the constellation.
He is Julio Pcpoli, father of the
Carnival Queen and quite nat
urally of .bibulous habits. His
collapsible legs serve him we'll in
gloriously funny scene where he
tipples to the point Of OratOry
and delivers his speech for the
Dukes guardsmen perched on
top of table. In a dungeon
morgue it is his unhappy, but
comical task to be a comrade to
cadavers until such time as he
can smite the captain Of the
watch and rescue the shrouded
count. He tops off his comedy in
a conversation carried on with an
obstinate mule that is laugh
gem.
Lionel Atwill is cast as Count
Matteo di BrozZo, a scheming min
lister of state. On his silken COW
cred shoulders falls the burden of
narratinE much of the plot. This
d
talents. strutting through scenes
populated by the alluring damsels
of musical comed". He wears, if
you must know, the richest looking
collection of embroidered lace coats
and silken pants ever assigned 10
an actor, with a jeWeled snuff box
as an accessory. The polished art
of Atwill was best revealed in a
second,act soliloqu!' on love de-
lvered in front of silvered cur
tain. behind which the Marmein
dancers moved in graceful ballet
postures. 1t was one of the most
impressive features OF very com
plete evening.
Fannie Brice must yet e con
Eenially worked into this romantic
narrative. The Thir( Avenue ac-
cent seemed an awkward attempt
to fit in a character which hardly
belongs. And it thrusts into the
medieval weave a bit Of 1872"
"dirt" that struck one observer as
a common anachronism in an
otherwise inoffensive narrative.
Singing of Cleopatra and the
wicked Old Village of Venice
the Brice experiences with comedy
lyrics came into full glory.
The most impressive songs tatI
tn the voice of George Houston,
recruited, | am told from opera,
and certainly we'll fitted vocally
and otherwise to play the appeal
ing role of Count di Rovani. If
he is not one of 'Fioretta's" stars,
he is surely a starlet and the
effective manner in which he de-
hvers BLADE OF Mine" and
"Dream Boat" c0mmends him as
ranking with the best of the sing
ing romantirists
In five minutes of acrobatic
adago work that will make You
sit up straight in your seat, the
Three Demon dancers stopped the
second act cold last night. Snow
and Columbus also won attention
for dancing specialties.
Dorothy Knapp make as beauti-
full a Marietta as it Is possible TO
conceive. Her brunette charm of
face and figure are outstanding
in a collection of the fairest
corvphees ever gathered for crit
ical first row inspection. Theo
Karle jay Brennan, Giovanni
r,arrI and Charles Howard NAV
the other important roles.
Mr.. Carroll has assembled a
male chorus which is heard in
robust choral numbers and MA
rietta" was one of the delightfully."-
staged songs. encored again and
again.