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The Second Repertory Season at the Savoy
from The Times, Tuesday, March 2, 1909.
| SIR RICHARD CHOLMONDELEY | Mr. Leo Sheffield |
| COLONEL FAIRFAX | Mr. Henry Herbert |
| SERGEANT MERYLL | Mr. Richard Temple |
| JACK POINT | Mr. C. H. Workman |
| WILFRED SHADBOLT | Mr. Rutland Barrington |
| ELSIE MAYNARD | Miss Elsie Spain |
| PHŒBE MERYLL | Miss Jessie Rose |
| DAME CARRUTHERS | Miss Louie René |
The Yeomen of the Guard has been so often revived of late that it is quite unnecessary to discuss it at length or to do more than refer to the cast by which it is now performed for the last time under Mrs. D’Oyly Carte’s management. She chose it to inaugurate her series of revivals two years and a half ago, and it was then felt that the cast could have been bettered in a great many ways. Its best points remain, for the admirable Jack Point of Mr. Workman and the Phœbe of Miss Jessie Rose could hardly be improved; Miss Louie René is not quite as competent as she was in the part of Dame Carruthers, but the task of replacing Miss Rosina Brandram becomes naturally easier as time goes by and that admirable artist is forgotten.
The central feature of this production is the Wilfred Shadbolt of Mr. Rutland Barrington, his first appearance in the part. He gives it with becoming gloom, and his own richly unctuous humour is nevertheless allowed to appear. The scene in which Phœbe sings “Were I thy bride” is so full of comical facial play that the beauty of the song is forgotten in the ecstasy of watching Mr. Barrington as he enjoys the caresses. In the “Cock and Bull” duet he and Mr. Workman won great success, as they did also in the hurried account of the imaginary shooting of the escaping prisoner. Never has either part been so well played, and if Mr. Barrington’s vocal powers seem scarcely so great as they did in The Gondoliers, he will no doubt regain them very soon.
Another old Savoyard returns to the fold in Mr. Richard Temple, whose Sergeant Meryll is as good as ever it was. Miss Elsie Spain is the most sympathetic singer who has been seen in the rather ungrateful part of Elsie, in which so many ambitious singers have appeared. Mr. Henry Herbert’s pretty voice did justice to the music of Fairfax, but his speaking tones were even less distinguished than usual.
The whole was very carefully rehearsed, and was conducted by Mr. Cellier. Sir William Gilbert was called and heartily cheered at the close.
Page modified 27 August 2011