“The Sirens”

Singing.

The "tab" was "The Sirens," with Frank Dobson strongly featured, and the fellow deserved it, for he carried the biggest part of the action of the piece and is the central figure in the two big numbers which do much toward putting the "tab" in the big time class. The first of these is a "jazzy" number led by Dobson, supported by eight girls, with the musical director of the piece doing a "single" in the pit with his violin. All the big moments of "The Sirens" occur in the last ten minutes or so of the piece. It starts slowly, with a lot of light talk, and sags badly about the center, when William Lynn overplays a part in reaching for laughs. He is given good support by Madge Darrell, a hefty lady, and the comedy of this pair could be worked up to better advantage. However, as Dobson is the only member of the cast strongly featured, he is held responsible for most of the comedy, and does his work well. After his jazz number, it is easy for him, and his second number, built up with a very elaborate gown display by the girls, tops the piece off with several more good laughs. "The Sirens" Is nicely set, prettily dressed, and there is much opportunity, some of which is wasted, and it registered as a very good applause-winner with a crowded house.

Variety, 54:1 (02/28/1919)