PICTURESQUE MUSICAL COMEDY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3164, 16 August 1917, Page 8

PICTURESQUE MUSICAL COMEDY

"THE WHITE CHRYSANTHEMUM "

"Tho While- Chrysanthemum," a musical comcdy in Ihrco acts, by Lcedham Bantock and .Arthur Anderson. Cast— Keo Chee (a maid) Nan Taylor Sybil Cunningham Lilian Tucker Betty Kenyon Daisy ltevctte Mrs. Sin Choug Emily Fitzroy Hon. Chippendalo Bclpiopt Andrew Higginson Samuel Wilkins Barry Lupino Tango Shima, Alfred Bristowe Tai'o Shiran Loslio Donaghey Tora Shima Charles Popo Lieut. Reginald Armitago Frank Greene Perks John Beelt Chief of Police Chester Harris Lieut. Ronald Scott Jock M'Kelligctt Admiral Sir Horatio Armitago . Fred Monument Cornelia. Vanderdecken Fayctto Perry "The "White Chrysanthemum," so picturesquely produced at the Grand Opera Houso last evening by J. and N. Tail's Musical Comedy Co., is rather a curious melange of several forms of theatrical entertainment of tho light musical ordot. It began bravely in a gorgeous Japanese sotting as a musical comedy, with musical numbers that would not be out of placo in comic opera, but something seemed to strike tlie authors, or perhaps the producer, that the piece required that element so elusively described as "ginger," so here and there it lapses entertainingly enough into broad burlesque with incursions in pantomimic farce, all of which was extremely amusing, if a trifle incongruous. The plot concerns the love affairs of Lieutenant Reggy Armitage, H.N., who revolts at the idea of marrying his father's wealthy ward, Cornelia Vanderdecken,' because lie is head-over-ears,in love with Sybil Cunningham, who is staying in Japan with her> friend, Betty Kenyon. As the love-birds coo behind the painted shoji of a dainty bungalow, Admiral Armitage appears on tho scena with his ward, and demands explanations from everyone as to who is who and why things do not go as be thinks they should. Keggy's friend, the Hon. Chippendale Belmont, an amiablo ass, rescues him by explaining that Sybil is really 0 Sau, a geisha known as "tho "White Chrysanvheraum," which t'hin pretence is at once detected by the Admiral, who at once starts' to turn all hands inside out. At length, however, lie falls in love himself with Betty Kenyon, and, under love's softening influence, he learns that Cornelia has made an arrangement with "Chippie," and that O San is really a. very delightful girl to have for a daughter-in-law. . Tho story leaves the chief comedian among the unessential characters, but that is of no consequenco whatever, for in the person of Siunmy "Wilkins (of the Hon. Mr. Belmont's yacht Skylark, and incidentally that person's chauffeur), he pops up all over the place, a Cockey imp of mischief, who leads the Japanese polvce an awful life. To avoid trouble he. marries a, Chinese lady with an adult family, and thereby is false to his Tilly, of tapping Stairs. In the hands nt .Mi-. Barry L«pmo tho part is one '.hat causes a simmer of merriment whenever he is in the "spotlight," It is perhaps regrettable that lie is not there more than fie is, as his comedy senso is always very sustaining. The audience would havo liked more song, and certainly mora dance, than 1 they got from the brilliant little comedian. His burlesque is always clever, and tho "wheezes" with tho fake instrument and tho ledger were both amusing. As Cornelia Vanderdecken, .Miss I*'ayctte Perry had a role that fitted her perfectly, and the go wild she wor-3 wero distractiugly pvalty and interesting to all tho Indies. She acted, flirted, aid danced with sprightly grace, _ and was never out ul' the picture. Miss Lilian Tucker was .not quito so well suited as Sybil Cunningham, though she made an attractive ligiire, bemoaning her unlucky late. _ It is the sad, soppy part of one who believes that sho has been deserted and is dete'rmintd to makii everyone as miserable as herself, in which she almost succeeds. She has a trick of singing a trifle sharp, as was tho case in tho duel "My Very Own." Mr. Andrew Higginson's talent in light comedy roles served him to some purpose as the Hon. Chippendalo Belmont, lie was ju.st. as inano and nonsensical as such a porson could be without being put under restraint. Mr. I'Vaok Grcono inado a handsouio lover as .Lieutenant Itcggy Annitage, and sang the music allotted to him with iiiniform good tasto. Miss Daisy Jievetto was chni'iiiing, if a trifle matter-of-fact in'her methods, as Betty Konyon, and gavo plenty of point to that giddy little song, "A i.linl." Hiss, Emily l-'ilsruy squeezed what was possible out of t.lio unsatisfactory comedy .rolo of Mrs. Sin Chong, and Air. John Bock did not. tind any particular gratification in playing the role of forks. Thoro were somo good touches in tho business and capital tnako-up of Messrs. A. Bristowe. C. Tope, and L. Donaghey as thrro comic Jn.pa.ncso policemen. Mr. Fred Montiimont sufficed as tho Admiral. Tho comedy is lavishly mounted. Tho first sceno was the interior of a Japanese bungalow, a contrast of rich dark red walls against black lacquered fittings. all quaint, in design, with a. flight, of steps leading lo a verandah overlooking a water lily-sl rnwn pond. Tho second act \was a bright splash of blazing colour—a. Japanese garden, painted in primitive greens and blues and pinks in the futurist stylo—a mad riot, tf giad colour that seemed ridiculous in detail, yet harmonious in. ensemble. Tho scene gives a vivid idea of what, scenes the pantomimes will hold when futurism seizes (.he soul of the scenic a.rt.ist. As a. spectacle, alone "Tho White Chrysanthemum" takes high honours. It will be played for I he rest, of the week.