Old friends are at the Colonial this week, most of the cast of "The Siren" having been chosen from the companies formerly playing in "The Arcadians" and "The Dollar Princess." Their present setting is not quite so charming as the former operetta, but it fully equals the latter.

The plot concerns the discovery of an unknown who has written a lampoon against the emperor of Austria. The minister of police suspects a certain Armand, but can obtain no evidence because Armand has destroyed all extant examples of his handwriting. Armand loves the ladies, so the minister sets a score of them to cajole him into writing a letter, but all their wiles are in vain, till suddenly the minister's niece appears. She agrees to try the task, but is not told why, hence she innocently lures him to his social ruin. In the last act he is enlightened as to her ignorance of his crime, and pardoned by the emperor, folds her to his heart.

There is not an ungraceful person in the cast. Julia Sanderson is most engagingly sweet, Ethel Cadman pleases greatly with her clear high notes, Mr. Brain dances with his usual elegance, and Mr. Mudie with astounding agility. Will West and Florence Morrison supply plenty of rollicking fun. Altogether, a bright, melodious operetta, well acted and exceptionally well danced.