Evening star., 1939-06-28
1heGeisha'
Given Fine
Presentation
Cast and Scenic
Effects Prove
Excellent
By ALICE EVERSMAN.

The cherry blossoms of Japan
bloomed last evening in the Sylvan
Theater where the Columbia Light
Opera Co. presented THE Geisha"
as the second summer festival pro-
gram. The operetta, staged and di-
rected by Ethyl Manning, was given
an excellent performance by the
large cast which sang and acted
with complete abandon. Although
the night was fair and the moon did
Its utmost to help in the scenic
effect, the GOODNESS of the weather
may account for the smaller audi
ence than is usually the custom
either for performances by the Co.
lumbia company or for the Sylvan
Theater affairs in general.
When the lights went up for the
first act there was greeting OF
applause for the little Japanese
touches which gave color to the
scene and which were not overdone
but used discreetly to blend in with
the natural background of the
theater. The long overture was ex-
cellently played by the small or
chestra with spirit and unfaltering
intonation and the support given
throughout by this group of musi-
clans was a pleasure to hear. Mrs.
Manning was sure Of the effects she
desired and the smoothness of the
performance never Slackened.
X X X
From among the principals 1t
would be difficult to make selec-
ton, so we'll did each sustain his
part and carry out the character
development. Yet the palm must
be given to Florenz HIM in the role
of Wun-Hi, the Chinese proprietor
of the teahouse, whose gift for
comedy impersonation is especially
fine. Edith Hoffman Jones as the
heroine, o Mimosa San, carried off
the vocal honors while Mildred
Stanley as Molly Seamore and Leila
Stanley as Juliette, the French girl
acting as interpreter, were gay and
clever in their acting of the parts.
Frances jackson, the Lady Con-
stance Wynne of the story, and the
three Geishas, taken by Ruth Co.
berly, Gladys Hunt and Miriam
Abeel, portrayed their roles most
effectively.
Among the men characters, be-
sides that of Wun-Hi, were the POM
poses Marquis Imari, governor of the
province. which Charles Moran
made outstanding, and the dashing
Reginald Fairfax, sung by Clarke
Paulsen, and his brother officers of
H. M. S. Turtle; William Brewer as
Dick Cunningham. Frank Abeel as
Arthur Cuddy and Elmer Butts as
the midshipman, Tommy Stanley.
These. together with group of
guests of Lady Constance, sung by
Olive Dyer, Portia RohWer and Hell
enc Parker, Richard Hill and Mayne
Coe in the roles of captain and Off
Ger of the governors guard, and
Gayle Hunt as an attendant COM
pleted the cast of those around
whom the story was woven. A large
chorus, beautifully costumed and
singing the gay music with ardor,
added considerably to the success
Of the performance.
An Oriental dance was arranged
for the second act by Margaret Ca
mody giving a special bit of bright
ness to the scene which represented
cherry blossom day in the palace
gardens. Particular praise must be
extended to Mrs. Manning for the
richness of the staging in which she
was assisted by Davis Agey, Herbert
Kadushin and Terry McGraw and
for the fact that nothing was over
emphasized but developed naturally
and spontaneously,
The performance of next week has
been advanced to Thursday, on ac-
count of the holiday, when the
Washington Civic Ballet will join
with the Washington Civic Orches-
ira in giving the program.