The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-09
NEW YORK COTTRELLY.
What Is Doing in Theatrical Matters in New
York-The Comic Opera Glut.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal .

special to the Indianapolis Journal
NEW YORK, May 8-Two new productions
of dubious merit have somewhat enlivened
the amusements of the past lenten sea-
son here. One is Dellingers comic opera
of don Caesar" done by McCaull at Wal
lacks. and the other is Gunters comedy of
s'Prince Charles" done at the Madison square.
1t is difficult to find any serious words to waste
on either of these novelties. Comic opera long
ago fell into common rut Every one OF the
imported librettos, excepting always Gilbert &
Sulivan's, follows the same still hunt for theat-
rio effect There is no reason in the story ex-
cept the girls who are to be brought on every
five minutes in gangs. In fact. comic opera ex-'
lists for no other purpose than to exhibit girls
professionally. 'Don Caesar is just shade bet
ter than Polly" s'The Gypsy Baron" 'Billee
Taylor" "Pepita" and a score more of tuneful
extravaganzas that are as devoid of creative
Imagination and timely satire as pile OF broken
bottles is devoid Of patriotism. Mr.. McCaull has
one operate focus; it is called on the bills Cot
trelly It is around this centre that all his pleas
ing phantasmagoria obediently whirls. The pub
lie always swallow it, for it is clever mature
siren, but one swallow will not make an opera
any more than it will make summer
Of course, l need not tell you that in the spring
the thoughts of the New York theater-goer
lightly turns to chorus girls. AS soon as the
blossoms break out he wants his drama watered
Then along comes McCaull, the great dilution-
ist who is prepared to spray the fevered town
with Cottrelly.
Everybody kindly shuts his eyes to the fact
that McCaull is always producing the same
opera. All he does is to change the name and
put Cottrelly in a new dress.
Comic opera, in brief, Is like the soups In
fashionable restaurant If you look at the bill
you will find puree Julienne, consomme, pea,
mock turtle tomato, vegetable. If you 90 into
the kitchen you will find that they are all dipped
from the same pot. The cook converts them into
anything you want with a convenient spoonful
after they are dipped.
McCaull is the cook. Cottrelly is the spoonful.
When tell you that Mr.. Gunter has written a
new play you will smile YEARLY for you will
know that there has not been an hour during the
last ten years when Mr.. Gunter has not written
a new play. He sheds new plays as he joyousy
wanders through life. There are strata OF new
plays in some places that tell with geologic elo-
quence that Mr. Gunter fingered there at some
time. do not recall that Mr.. Gunter ever ex-
pected them to be good or great His modest
mission is to write them, and not worry about
thar excellence.
His "Prince Paul" went over the Madison
square two crutches. IL it had not
been for these it would have tumbled, like Iago,
into the footlights. One crutch was called Rich
ard Mansfield, most competent. intelligent and
gifted actor. who is also an artist He played
the principal role The other was Miss MAZDA
Craigen, a really clever girl from Boston, who
made hit. These two people fioated the COM
monplace into what one reporter called the "ha
ven of seeming success"
Which remark reminded me instantly of
Aphrodite and Leander fetching oyster cans
from the sun-tipped pillows safely to the anxious
crowds on the golden sands.
Some one said to Edwin Booth not long ago
that he ought to be satisfied, for ad made
over 100000 with his art, and he isc. I'D with
this reply: mo, I'm not satisfied. fl I could
dance like Dixey I'd made two hundl I'd thou
sand"
These people preserve frugal mind even on
the heights of success. and, apropos of that,
Mantell told me the other day that when Mar
garet Mather was taken sick down East and her
manager. having been telegraphed for arrived
at her side, he said: "My dear girl, OF course
you'll get we'll, but as a matter of prudence let
me ask you, in anything should happen.
what would you like to have put on your tomb
stone?' The beautiful Juliet looked up. the wa
ter came into her eyes, and she said; Under the
management of j. M. Hill, please"
NYM CRINKLE.