The evening world., 1890-05-06
DE WOLF HOPPER

| De Wolf Hopper burst into stellar prom.
inence at the Broadway Theatre last night,
and was accorded n reception that was little
less than Patti-csque. He responded with
that exquisite grace Of manner for which he
IL so Justly famous, aud when flowers by
the hundredweiRht we're handed over the
footlights, relieved that occasion OF the
ridicule which generally attends il. in this
enlightened season, by q few merrily turned
remarks.
HOPPER is very popular, though ] do not
Judge that by the denomination last night
There was something that sounded suspi-
ciously Ikea elaque. and there was a burst Of
| elaborate applause upon the least provoca-
tion. An immense amount OF enthusiasm
was expended while the curtain was rolling
up. Why this kind of thing IL done / can
not possibly imagine. ns IL deceives nobody.
But. as | said before. Hopper is popular.
Tie has also toned himself down tride. lie
had not many opportunities to be funny
last night but he would have been
had they been provided. | done mean
TO say that Hopper has entirely
reformed. He called his little clerk
" fat baboon. and am quite sure that
Mr.. Byrne didn't write anything 20 in
elegant. lie also made one or two other
slips in the direction of his old habit His
work, however, was far less obstreperous
than usual. After having seen Francis
Wilson in THE Gondoliers, feel inclined
to accept Hopper rs eligltfully lie g itimate
and reihied comedian.
Castles in the Air. by Charles Alfred
Byrne and Gustave Kerker, was the name Of
the comic opera presented last night. 1t
might have been called "Shanties on the
Ground. or "Tenements in the Sky, with
equal reason. But the name is pretty. 80
we must not cavil. In Bronson Howard's
'Greenroom Fun" an amateur actress.
whose role calls for her appearance on the
Rocky Mountains, present. herself IN n
white silk decoilete ball dress. But, says
the stage manager, you cant possibly 80
up the Rocky Mountain in such cool attire.
The audience would laugh" 4" | don't
cnre, " is the reply. II will wear the dress
1t is pretty"
Castles in tho Air is most exasrerat-
ing work to criticise. 1t contains many
good things, but they were hidden last
night iu perfect abyss OF weariness. There
is some bright dialogue, and there are one
or two tuneful numbers. but the lack OF
episode is simply startling. As for the pot.
l won't go into 1t, for the very best OF
reasons-I couldn't 1 know Bul-Bul mar
ried Blanche and that is about all could
discover. The second and third acts are
good the first ought to be removed in toto.
though should like the charming little
finale to remain. But l suppose that If the
finale were there all alone it wouldn't be n
finale, would itH 1t Is tho prettiest have
heard for o long time, unconventional and
picturesque.
Francis Wilson revamped his "Oolah I"
into success, and when Castles in the
Air " has been pulled together By Q mastery
hand II nigh. enjoy some popularity. Mr..
Byrne haa said some very funny things. and
Mr.. Kerker has told many musical reminis-
cences pleasantly. But something will have
to be done very speedily If the new comic
opera Is to endured through the Summer.
And the process of improvement should not
be confined to pruning. Incident is needed.
and incident there must be.
Miss Marion Manola sang charmingly and
acted with viyacity aud intelligence. Miss
Della Fox Is delightful little lady. as pretty
rs at least two pictures, and possessing q
very agreeable voice. Miss Fox can act.
too, and with great deal OF chic. She was
the only pleasant surprise of the evening to
me. Thomas Q. Seabrooke did some very
satisfactory work. without tho aid of Hop
perian loudness. and Miss Elvia Croix. his
wife. was also to be commended. heard
little OF her voice, and was sorry l couldn't
hear more.
kind word must be said for Miss Rose
Leighton. q clever actress. Little Mr..
Klein wasn't bit funny, which may have
been the fault of part that was irritatingly
stupid.
Castles In the Air was sumptuously
staged. hecostumes were really beautiful.
and the sccne of the third act one OF the
most artistic that has ever graced the stage
Of the Broadway. ALAN DALE.