From "The Penny Illustrated Paper"
4 June 1898

THE NEW PINERO-SULLIVAN-CUM-CARR ROMANTIC OPERA AT THE SAVOY

Mr. D'Oyly Carte has lavished such a wealth of costume and scenic magnificence upon the new romantic opera, "The Beauty Stone, " written by Mr. Pinero and Mr. Carr and composed by Sir Arthur Sullivan, for the Savoy, that it is earnestly hoped he will be recouped for his great outlay. There was one welcome surprise. By her charming representation of the Weaver's crippled daughter, transformed by the Devil into a fascinating maiden by the magic of "The Beauty Stone," only to long to return to her former state and find true happiness when restored to crutches and poverty, Miss Ruth Vincent came to the front at once. She not only sang winsomely and well, but won favour for her skilful acting, and in the end her soft sweet voice gained the heart of the blinded Lord of Mirlemont. who, like another King Cophetua or Lord of Burleigh, woos and wins her. Such, in brief, is the story, though there are ramifications which failed to engross the audience. Mr. George Duvoll was the enamoured Lord; and Miss Pauline Joran the displaced favourite. Mr. Henry A. Lytton and Miss Rosina Brandram made artistic successes of the Weaver and his wife; and there was a Puck-like merry mischievousness about Mr. Walter Passmore's red jester-Devil. To him and Miss Emmie Owen as Jacqueline, and to their gay duet and dance, were we entirely indebted for the light part of the entertainment. A little song by Miss Owen is the most delightful of the Sullivan airs, though melody, of course, abounds in the rich orchestration and choruses. Miss Madge Moyse and Miss Minnie Pryce distinguished themselves in the singing contest; but we missed Mr. Kenningham and Miss Florence Perry. What a beautiful blonde wig Mr. Clarkson supplied the Weaver's daughter with! And what sumptuous costumes Percy Anderson designed for the castle scene of "The Beauty Stone"!

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