"THE LADY DECIDES" UP TO USUAL HIGH STANDARD

From the standpoint of costumes and scenic effects, the Pi Eta production for 1916 is fully the equal of any undergraduate performance of its kind in recent years. Its music, moreover, is up to the usual high standard, particularly the overture and the music for the dances which displayed unusual qualities of rhythm and melody. But it may not be out of place to speak of certain defects in "The Lady Decides" which appear to be inherited from year to year and which may be found in practically all undergraduate performances of this nature. First, an inadequate orchestra: both the orchestration and the orchestral performance were far in advance of those of late years, but there was an empty and sometimes an acid quality for which the players were in no way responsible, but which was almost entirely due to the absence of those most important of "fillers"--the horns. It has been proved too often to be a subject for debate that the fullest and most skillful orchestral support is none too good for an amateur performance. Economy practiced at the expense of the orchestra is not wisdom. Second: a lack of singers. This Pi Eta production is the first within the memory of the writer that has not presented some unusually spirited undergraduate singing. With a few exceptions, the chorus was scarcely above the average and the principals, too, offered nothing that might be termed distinguished singing. Neither of these defects is insurmountable; the first may be remedied by a small expenditure of money, the second by practice.

The acting of the principals was splendid, Mr. Seymour's in particular, and Mr. Coolidge contributed a dance that was nothing short of professional. The songs "A Long Time Ago" and "Are You There?" Together with the overture and dance music before mentioned were particularly good among many other attractive pieces.

"The Lady Decides" will be a "hit" because it possesses those elements which make a college performance worth while, and some attention to obvious short comings ought to put it well forward in the rank of Pi Eta successes.