Kitty Gordon (1878-1974)

"The Three Kisses"
By Percy Greenbank and Leedham Bantock.
Produced at The Apollo Theatre. Reviewed in The Daily Mail [London, UK] - 22nd August, 1907.

With the alluring title of "The Three Kisses," the first new musical play of the new season started its career at the Apollo Theatre last night. Although the authors, Messrs. Percy Greenbank and Leedham Bantock, have placed their story on the sunny slopes of the Bay of Naples and based it on a legend, they have not gone for their period to the good old times, but have preferred to take today, and with it the English visitors so useful - for contrast - in musical comedy. The plan suits everybody. It suits the comedians, who musty be topical; it suits the actresses, who look best in Parisian gowns; and it does not interfere with those who wear the bright costumes of the country.

The environment of "The Three Kisses" is certainly picturesque, and the composer, Mr. Howard Talbot, has provided a score in harmony with the story and its setting. The legend that serves for the main plot of "The Three Kisses" is the tale of the curse that comes on the bride who allows her betrothed to kiss her three times before the wedding day. It is an uncomfortable legend for any engaged girl, but in this case there was an antidote if it only could be found, and found, of course, it is.

Plot, however, is rarely a serious factor in musical comedy, and "The Three Kisses" is not an exception. The best quality in the entertainment is its music, and on that the composer can certainly be congratulated - "The Oranges," "The Home-coming," and "The Star of Sorrento" followed one another almost immediately at the opening of the first act, and if Mr. Talbot, who conducted his own score, had not been insistent each would have been encored at least once.

Miss Kitty Gordon, again, the handsome but jealous character, sang delightfully, and "Woman's Love" is bound to become a very popular number. There is very little fun in the lyrics of the new play, and possibly Mr. Charles Angelo scored best of all the men with "The Wizard of Wimpole Street." With a little time, however, some of the numbers will get a better effect, and with the comic scenes elaborated by Mr. Walter Passmore and Mr. Albert Le Fre there will be more laughter to carry the "business" through. Last night Mr. Willie Ward got more fun into his little scenes than anyone else. His efforts of a gentle-mannered old man to appear a dashing devil may care conspirator set the house in roars. It was droll, and was done with an ease that is rarely seen in musical comedy. Miss Ethel Irvine had little to do, but that little was well done. Miss Caroline Hatchard sang well; so too, did Mr. Walter Hyde. Miss Coralie Blythe was successful.