Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
T H E theatiical season is now in full
*• swing. The menu provided by man-
agers should satisfy the appetites of "all
sorts and conditions" of theatre goers.
It abounds in such solids and delicacies as
to make a feast fit for the gods of drama.
One feature of the season, and a welcome
one, is the predominance of the American
play writer. He is en evidence with the
following works in this city this week:
"Richard Carvel" by Winston Churchill at
the Empire, "Ben Hur" by Gen. Lew
Wallace at the Broadway, "Arizona" by
Augustus Thomas at the Herald Square,
"Sag Harbor" by James A. Herne at the Re-
public, "David Harum" by Noyes Westcott
at the Garrick, "Lost River" by Joseph Ar-
thur at the Fourteenth Stree% "The Monks
of Malabar" by Harry B. Smith at the Knick-
erbocker, "Caleb West" by F. Hopkinson
Smith at the Manhattan, "Fiddle-dee-dee"
by Edgar Smith at Weber & Fields', "The
Rogers Brothers in Central Park" by John
J. McNally at the Victoria, "The Tele-
phone Girl" by Hugh Morton at the Grand,
"The Belle of Bohemia" by Harry B.
Smith at the Casino, " All on Account of
Eliza" by Leo Dietrichstein at the Harlem
Opera House, "A Million Dollars" by Geo.
V. Hobart and Louis Harrison at the New
York, " Siberia " by Bartley Campbell at
the Metropolis, and "Prince Otto," at least
half by Otis Skinner, at Wallack's. A
showing to be proud of!
* * * # *.
A perfect craze seems to exist for stage
versions of popular novels. This is re-
vealed in the number which have been
placed on the boards so far this season.
Lovers of these novels must have had their
ideals shattered after witnessing the dram-
atization of some of those presented. They
are splendidly interpreted, of course, and
are in themselves distinctly meritorious.
Nevertheless it is almost well nowadays to
witness the theatrical version of a novel
before reading it, otherwise, well—-—
* * * * *
"Richard Carvel," presented at the Em-
pire with John Drew in the leading role,
is growing steadily in popularity. Even
without the beautiful scenic effects, the
good work of Mr. Drew and his associates
and the intrinsic merits of the play, should
ensure this. Readers of the novel will re-
member that its scene is mainly in Mary-
land, and its characters American. The
play moves briskly, keeps one's eye inter-
ested and the mind diverted. The pic-
ture in the last act—a spacious hall in an
old Southern mansion of Revolutionary
days—is beautiful.
* * * * *
A long run is probably in store for
"David Harum," which had its initial per-
formance at the Garrick Monday night.
As everyone expected, W. H. Crane in the
title role is a life-like, satisfying embod-
iment of the idea one gets from Westcott's
familiar book. At first hearing some
ideals and imaginative pictures are shat-
tered, but Mr. Crane's work is so clever
that it is safe to assert that he has done
nothing better, and perhaps he has never
done anything quite as good as he will do
in this role after a few performances.
Next to Mr. Crane's "Harum," Alois Fran-
ces Clark's impersonation of the widow
Cullum was perhaps the most delightful.
* * * * *
Few young women who have adopted
the stage as a profession have rret with a
more cordial welcome from their associates
or with more rapid success in the great
MADELEINE SUMMERS.
theatrical whirlpool than petite Madeline
Summers. She is a dancer of more than
ordinary grace and agility, and is now ap-
pearing in Marwig's beautiful ballets in
" A Million Dollars" at the New York
Theatre.
This is her second season as a profes-
sional dancer. Her first engagement was
at the Broadway Theatre in "Ben Hur" un-
der Klaw and Erlanger's management.
She next appeared in the Japanese and
other ballets in "Broadway to Tokio," at
the Sire Brothers' New York Theatre, also
with the same company at Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Boston. During last sum-
mer Miss Summers appeared in "The
Dolls' Revel " at the Cherry Blossom
Grove, until rehearsals began for " A Mil-
lion Dollars."
This sprightly young artist has made
herself extremely popular by her volunteer
work for worthy charities. She is a clever
solo dancer, as many can testify who have
witnessed her work in "Cinderella" at the
Metropolitan Opera House, at Delmonico's
during the last banquet of the New York
Press Club, at the Colonial and other clubs.
Madeleine Summers is the only daughter
of Capt. and Mrs. James C. Summers of
New York. Her father is a journalist and
author, a Freemason of high degree, a
member of the Old Guard and the New
York Press Club. He was a Lieutenant
in the U. S. Navy during the recent Span-
ish war.
In the "Monks of Malabar" at the Knick-
erbocker, Francis Wilson has a comic opera
which acts as an excellent medium to ex-
cite the risibilities of his audiences. The
book is built around Wilson, and suffice it
to say that he has never been more hu-
morous, more sparkling, more nimble in
speech and in person than in the vivacious
role of "Boolboom." Mr. Englander is
entitled to especial praise for his music. It
is full of vigor,melody and rhythm. It has
character, color and is effectively scored.
It is like scenting the atmosphere of the
far West to witness " Arizona " at the Her-
ald Square. The play has brawn and sub-
stance and the essential masculine ring.
Still, there is room for improvement in
its construction. Thomas's types are live,
full-blooded, and actuated by the natural
impulses of love, hate, passion and revenge.
There is a sequence of thrilling situations,
all devised with ingenuity.
"San Toy," a Chinese comedy which
was presented Monday night at Daly's, is
a London success that is destined to enjoy
a longer stay at this house than "The
Rose of Persia." Edward Morton is cred-
ited with the book and Sidney Jones the
music, which is bright and sparkling.
The two acts are filled with melodious
choruses and catchy lyrics. The inimita-
ble James T. Powers has the role of a
thieving secretary. After the "newness"
wears off he is certain to make a big "hit"
in it. Some of the vocal numbers in "San
Toy" will soon be whistled about town.
In the humorous plays without music we
have two first-class examples in " I b a n d
Little Christina" and "The Husbands of
Leontine" at the Madison Square, and
"All on Account of Eliza."
* * * * *
There are few more interesting place in
the mythical stage world than the German
principality of Prince Otto. The interest
is continued and emphasized this season
through Otis Skinner's dramatization of
"Prince Otto" at Wallack's. He enacts
the leading part with spirit and ability.
"The Pride of Jennico," with Mr. Hack-
ett and Miss Bertha Galland in the princi-
pal characters, continues to flourish might-
ily at the Criterion Theatre.
" A Royal Family," at the Lyceum
Theatre, seems to be established firmly,
already, in the public favor. It is a de-
lightfully fresh and humorous entertain-
ment.
* * * * *
The Academy of Music continues to be
crowded by the admirers of Mr. Andrew
Mack in his latest piece, " The Rebel."
THE CRITIC.