ROYAL COMIC OPERA CO.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1868, 30 September 1913, Page 8

ROYAL COMIC OPERA CO.

IN " THE QUAKER GIRL," "The Quaker Girl," a musical comedy in tliroo acts, by Lionel Monckton and others. Cast: — Tony Chuto Leslie Holland Captain Charteris Frederick ReaUe Monsieur Laroso Alfred Andrew Prince Oario Edmund Sherras Nathaniel Pyin C. R. Bantock Monsieur Duliamel lon Aa-wxeil William George Voting Jarge . Arthur Lissant Jeremiah Jack Cannot Phoebe Jessie Lonnen Princess Mathildo Olive Godwin Diane Vera Pearco Madame Blum Grace P;ilotta Mrs. Lukyji Mrs. George Lauri Raehael Pym ; iiillic Barlow Tolnette Eileen Redmond Prudenco Blanche Browne

Originally produced at tho Adelphi Theatre, London, on November 5, 1910,. "The Quaker Girl," a bright, musical comedy with a particularly attractive setting, came to tho. Opera House last evening as tho initial offering of tho Royal Comic Opera Company, and was well received by an overwhelmingly large audience. "The Quaker Girl" is of the ordor of musical comedy made to charm the eyo rather than please tho musical sense, and in that it succeeds up to the highest expectations. Tho Quaker.idea in musical comedy may bo said to bo a master thought, as tho grey and brown tones and manners of these quiet folk provide just tho proper contrast to tile scarlet and gold flare of those spicy folk who are always to bo found in the precincts of English musical comedy as it is built for the West End. So it happens that the Quaker girls look very sweet and winsome as thoy sing in pleasant harmony in the main street of tho English country village, and tho mouthfuls of "tliees" anff "tlious" that besprinkle the dialogue < all assist in provoking quite a unique air. This, however, disappears after the first act, when the narrative runs into Paris and mischief (which the world accepts as synonymous terms). This is unfortunate, as Pariß is old, old material in musical comedy, and the Quaker element was refreshingly now. The music is not of a very arresting character. It does not havo to be in musical comedy. There are two or three good choruses, but tho solos cannot bo said to bo compbllingly pretty or impressive. The storv commences in an English country village, where Prudence, tho Quaker belle, resides with her parents, Nathaniel and Hachael Pym. i'liero she is discovered and made a friend of the Princess Mathilde, a v'ronch refugee, who loves and is loved by Captain Charteris. Such is their love that thoy are to bo married in ever such a hurry that day, and to assist in tho ceremony comes Lieut. Tony Chute (the best man), and the gay Madamo Blum, the renowned costumier af Paris. Tony, who has been flirting mtragepusly with Madamo Plum on tho jburney, at oncc deserts her on beholdng the charms of Prudence, who, in secret, is tired of tho restrictions of her >ect. So, as Captain Charteris is attached to the English Embassy at Paris, it becomes necessary to cross the Chanlel, and little Prudence deserts learth and home to become duo of Madame Blum's "mannequins," ivhilst Madamo creates a furore in iashion by her Quakeresque confections based oil Prudence's simple gowns. Tho litt-lb Quaker girl herself becomes a rage, and is pursued by all impression- 1 lblo Paris, including Prince Carlo, an )ld admirer of Princess Mathildc. Ho md Toil}; got at cross-purposes in their ove-making, but the little girl renains true to her English admirer :hrougliout. In tho meantime Madamo 31um is greatly put about to conceal lie person of Mathilde, of whoso arrival in Paris the Chief of Police lias >een made aware. This amusing per:on comes to the Madamo's salon ill •arious disguises in liis attempts to ocato the Princess, but on each occaion he is frustrated by Madamo Blum ir clever Phoebo (Mathildc's maid). Hnally Mathilda's English marriage is leclared to bo quite valid in France md Monsieur Larose is quite discomited; Prudence convinces Tony of her ibsolute innocence and fidelity, and 'hoebo throws a lariat of love around he neck of ' that amiable ass Jeremiah -a back-sliding Quaker with a mania or kissing every female he meets. As he is not given cither a husband or ; lover, one must assume that Madame 31um is wedded to her art.

The outstandingly good performance was that of Miss Graco Palotta as Madame Blum. This charming actress brings back with her all the brilliant vivaoity and personal charm which lids' served her in good stead in so many roles. The role fits her like a glove, and it is difficult to find eyes for others when Miss Palotta, perfectly gowned, is concerned in tho scene. Miss Blanche Brown, too, is well suited as Prudence, luid exhibits a nice discretion and restraint, particularly in the final sceno with Tony, where her actions have been so much misunderstood. Miss Browne's frail timbrous voice was hardly equal to tho music. Mr. Leslie Holland was as clever as ever as tho sporty Tony Chute. His comedy was smart and up to tho minute and he danced with all his old agility and neatness. His "Danse de Champagne" with Miss Vera Pearco in the last' act was distinctly a feature of the entertainment. Miss Pearco, who played Diane, an actress, very well indeed is a capital dancer of the semi-acrobatic order, graceful and supple in her movements and a mistress of the art of posing. Mr. Frederick Eeade made a handsome clean-cut Captain Charteris, but vocally was not a success. The same might be said of Sir. _ Edward Sherras as Prince Carlo. Miss Jessie Lonnen made a pert, active Phoebe, with a livelv pair of heels and sense of comedy. "The chief laughter-getter was Mr. Jack Cannot, who fooled most amusingly as Jeremiah, the renegade Quaker. Mr. Alfred Andrews was excellent as M. Larose, tho Chief of Polioo. and Mr. C. R. Bantock and Miss Billio Barlow were in tho picture as tho two elderly smileless Pyms. Minor parts wero well played by Miss Eileen Redmond, Mrs. Geo. Lauri, Mr. Geo. Young, and Ml". lon Maxwell. The mounting and costuming are on a lavish scale throughout. The scene in Madame Blum's salou is one that ,is bound; to please all female devotees of fashion, and the gay scene of the final act is a capitally-conceived set, with its glittering lines of blue electric lights and each table lighted from its own centre. Mr. Victor Champion controlled a capable orchestra.