"THE BELLE OF NEW YORK."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1879, 13 October 1913, Page 8

"THE BELLE OF NEW YORK."

Amongst the multiplicity of musical plays and comedies which , have been produced 'of lato years, "The Belle of Now York" has proved ono of the most successful. It lias a distinctive, but not very deep plot, it is made up of smart songs, dances, music, dialogue,and dresses, and the fun is lively throughout. It whs produced with unbounded success on Saturday a£ the Opera House, and will form the farewell performance this evening of tho Royal Comic Opera Company, who havo s mado such hosts of friends during their present stay. "The Belle of New York" has the same whirl as many similar works, but it is throughout so full of surprises that the very uncertainty of the thing becomes fascinating. Tho music itself is unique, and of the most uncertain kind. . It cither teems out sound with a roar and a rattle, or tho audience is held by a haunting melody. A chaotic medley of uncertainty in music, song, and dialoguo; with clever pooplo rushing themselves into tho most diverting and surprising complications, are its leading characteristics. And they have made it ono of tlio most successful comedy combinations in theatrical history. Miss Blanche Browne impersonates Violet Grey, around whom «»;ost of tho interest centres as the Belle of New York, tho Salvation Army lassie, the loader of tho Purity Brigade, and tho heroine who eventually marries the millionaire's son. The "Belle," for no earthly reason whatever, which is perhaps the chief charm of tho idea, appears first as a Salvation lassie, and Miss Browne makes her quite a natty, demuro little body, with a penchant for singing tho nicest music in tho sweetest possible way. She, exercises all lier art to make the character attractive, and unqualified success is the result. There is now and again a touch of pathos in the part, notably in the final scene, when, as leader of the Purity League, she adopts a shocking role as Mdllo, Bonne Bouche, the wicked danseuso, in order to offend her' adopted father, and cause him to reinstate his son, whom ho has cast off. In this role Miss Browne proves her versatility, and achieves ■ nothing short of a triumph. Mr. Edmund Sherras, as Barry Bronson, the millionaire's son, who lias had eight breach of promise cases djiriug the year, ably seconds Miss Browno's efforts, and is also responsible for some capital vocal numbers; notably, "Teach Mo How To Kiss," "Wine, Woman, and Song," and "When Wo Are Married," in each of which he is associated with Miss Vera.Pearce, as Fifi Fricot, a dainty danseuso, one of the many who looks upon herself as Bronson's bride-elect. Ichabod Bronson,, president "of the Anti-Cigarette Society of Cohoes, is an excellent vehicle for Mr. Leslie : Holland, a fine, unctuous comedian, whose crusty humour is calculated to make all and sundry laugh. Edward Nable, as Blinky Bill, a mixedale pugilist, and his partner, ' Jessie Lonnen, as Mamie Clancy, a Pell Mell Street girl, aro responsible for much of tho comic element, and their numbers are . invariably, encored, , . "Coogan's Fancy Ball" being perhaps their best effort. Mr. Claudo Bantock is really irresistiblo as the polite lunatic, Karl von Pumpernick, falling in love at frequent intervals, and always anxious to kill a man, his only regret being when he meets two rivals at the samo time his riilo is never to kill more than ono man in one day. Miss Olive Godwin carried all before her —exccpt tho bridegroom—as Cora Angolique, the Queen of Comic Opera, and sang with conspicuous success in "When I Was Born the Stars Stood Still," and "My Littlo Baby" (with Mr. Holland). Tho comedy , all round is exceptionally wollmounted, and a strong list of principals makes tlio Entertainment go without a dull moment from the.opening chorus: "It's easy enough to bo 21, It's easy enough to marry, , But when yon try both games at once It's a pretty big load to carry," i

right to .the very end, when tho man "who was known from Delmonica to tho Bowory as tho man who never wont to bed," is married, not to tho Queen of Comic Opera, who had been divorccd eight times, and gavo tho parson a minuto and a half to marry her to Bronson; but to the "Bello." Tho production, which is well balanced and m overy way mado to amply justify its popularity, will bo repeated to-night.