MR G. B. SHAW PARODIED

Evening Star, Issue 14512, 2 November 1910, Page 3

MR G. B. SHAW PARODIED

New Zealand admirers of Mr Bernard Shaw’s comedy ‘ Arms and The Man ’ need-not feel unduly anxious to make the acquaintance of the comic opera which has been founded on that, work, and which, under the title of 1 Tho Chocolate Soldier,’ was produced in London tills week at (lie Lyric 'theatre. Mr Shaw proved Iris magnanimity by offering no objection to his work being used as a basis for such a poor burlesque. All ho stipulated was that on tho bills should appear tho words “with apologies to Mr Bernard Shaw for an unauthorised paredy of ono of iris comedies.” Tho parody is poor stuff, and by contrast the merit of tire original ‘ Anus and The Man ’ is all tho more effectively emphasised. To quote tho ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ ‘ The Chocolate Soldier- ’ differs as widely from ‘ Arms and The Man ’ as water from wine, as chalk from cheese. “In the process of percolating through the brains of Messrs Bernauer and Jacobson, the Austrians, and Mr Stanislaus Stange, tho English adapter, Mr Shaw’s work has lost much of its significance and practically all of its wit. It is as if someone had attempted to convert an exquisite miniature into a garish poster, or a speaking portrait into a manifest caricature. On tho story, too, there only remain the bare bones, and these have been carved into a shape that renders them almost unrecognisable.” This musical comedy version has arrived in London from the Continent via New York, with an adaptation propaied in America. Mr F C. Whitney, who presents it, is no doubt satisfied that 1 The Chocolate Soldier ’ is both a comic opera and a parody —the programme calls it both—but when all is said and done the piece will stand on tho music of Mr Oscar Strauss, and not on the feeble attempt at wit and humor now hung on the story of ‘ Arms and Tho Man.’ The music is by general consent far above the level of the libretto, and, indeed, much above tho ordinary musical comedy stuff. It is graceful, melodious, and refined. A song called ‘ There is something wrong ’ had in tho. accompaniment a suggestion of tho ominous, which might well have come from Sir Arthur Sullivan; and tho Bulgarian pursuers marched in to a barbaric melody which recalls tho triumphant ending of ‘ 1812.’ But the valse song introduced early in the first act will be the success of the piece; it was admirably sung and enthusiastically greeted. Despite its defects, ‘ Tho Chocolate Soldier ’ was very well received on the opening night, and although tho two years’ run it enjoyed in America is not at all likely to bo repeated hero, it may do well with a public which knows not ‘Arms and The Man.’—London corre spondenl, September 16.