Valli Valli (1882-1927)

"A Life Policy"
By Mrs. Harrison Davis
Produced at Terry's Theatre, New York, 20th July, 1894.
Reviewed in The Colonies and India, 28th July, 1894.

There was quite a representative crowd of Australians at Terry's Theatre on July 20 at the matinee of Mrs. Harrison Davis' play "A Life Policy," which she has adapted from her own clever sensational novel entitled "For So Little." I noticed, amongst others, that popular Queenslander Mr. Charles Rawson, with his sister-in-law, Miss Harrison, Mr. Patchett Martin, Dr. Mannington Caffyn, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Mennell, Mr. Alfred Rathbone, and many others. The critics, too, mustered in force, including, of course, Mr. Clement Scott, accompanied by his wife, and Mr. Joseph Knight.

The play, for a beginner, shows some knowledge of stagecraft and distinct ability, and was very well received, the authoress being called for at the close to receive congratulations on a well-deserved success. The burden of the piece fell upon the competent shoulders of the Australian actor, Mr. Herbert Flemming. Mr. Philip Cunningham was also very good, and the little child, Miss Valli Valli, extremely interesting. In fact, it is almost invidious to single out any special performer, as the acting all round was excellent. Mrs. Harrison Davis cannot be otherwise than satisfied with her experiment in this direction, and will doubtless "go on and prosper."

"The Dollar Princess"
By Willner and GrunBaum, music by Leo Fall.
Produced at The Knickerbocker Theatre, New York, 6th July, 1909.
Reviewed in the New York Times, 7th July, 1909.

"Eine Dollar Prinzessin," which came to the Knickerbocker Theatre last night from Vienna, via England, bears all the earmarks in its present form of a London musical comedy, and seems to have lost a great deal of its Austrian flavor. The fact that the three principal women characters were played by actresses who have made their successes in London, that many even of the chorus girls had seen the Gaiety, added to the impression.

The production itself showed all the evidences of good taste that an English musical comedy production usually carries. It was on the whole a simple, graceful, delicate, and charming evening, but on the other hand there was little excitement. It is evident that the translators of the piece, which, in its original form, was more or less contemporaneous with "The Merry Widow," have wrought great changes, and they are not necessarily for the worse. It only depends on what you like. If you care for the charm and grace of English musical comedy you are quite sure to enjoy "The Dollar Princess." If you are looking for Austrian fire and dash you are quite likely to be disappointed.

The story concerns, an American girl, who is the daughter of the President of the Coal Trust, and known as the Dollar Princess. She falls very much in love with a young Englishman, and in spite of her dollars she is unable to secure him until just before the curtain falls on the last act, when, of course, he succumbs in a potpourri of all the waltz motifs of the evening. The millionaire has an affair with an alleged Countess, who turns out to be a lion tamer, and his niece, Daisy, marries a young Marquis, and then refuses to be anything but his friend. The three plots go hand in hand through much charming melody. For, aside from one or two of the principal interpreters of the piece, "The Dollar Princess" must depend upon its music, which is really delightful, for its success.

Last night two of the numbers, which sounded very much like interpolations, aroused the most applause of the evening. They were Will West's "Truly Rural" and "A Boat Sails on Wednesday," which included a burlesque of the Apache dance, which was very amusing. Dr. Fall's score, however, was much above, these trivialities. "The Dollar Princess" waltz is very lovely, and is already well known here. "My Dream of Love," the "Inspection" waltz, and "Reminiscence" are bound to become popular.

Miss Valli-Valli, who is a sort of pocket edition of Miss Mary Garden, looked very lovely, sang very well and played the part of the Dollar Princess for all there was in it. Her resemblance, both in face and in action, to the Manhattan Opera House singer is striking, and was emphasized by her gowns. Donald Brian received the warmest welcome of the evening when he first appeared, and although he has no such part as Prince Danilo in which to further his fame, he has some of the best songs of the evening, and in the last act he does a dance with an extraordinary amount of deftness and grace. Miss Adrienne Augarde was pretty. Miss Louie Pounds did not seem to be the best choice for the part of the Dompteuse. F. Pope Stamper was very good in the part of the Marquis. Percival Knight played a bit very well and Will West was a favorite with the audience.

The staging of the piece was in perfect taste. Except for the evening gowns of the chorus in the second act, which were not attractive, scarcely any musical comedy has been staged so charmingly on Broadway recently. The scenes, depicting the private office of the Coal King, the Winter Garden in his house, and a bit of the Franco-British exhibition in London, were all well painted.