Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-20
FARCE AND REALISM.
Rival Claims of Horses and Steam
boats in Melodrama.
HOSS AND HOSS MAKES A BIG HIT.
The City Directory as Strong as Ever With
Many New People in the Cast.
ALL THE THEATRICAL ATTRACTIONS

The testimony against Messrs. Charlie
Reed and William Collier is direct and con-
elusive They have not only manufactured
and uttered farce comedy, but have con-
srired with divers others to circulate it.
The performance of this farce comedy,
which bears the familiar but not pretty
name of '.H0ss and Hoss,' is practically all
the defense offered. The charge is a serious
one, especially this season, when authors
aud actors 10 the number of some
800, at least, are undermining the public
sanity with farce-comedies. But the defense,
that is the performance of ''Hoss and Hoss, "
is so good that anv jury with average gener-
oSity will acquit them of any crime, unless
il be criminal to make an audience laugh
without more than stopping for breath from
S:lj til ll0:45.
''Hoss and HosS" is not hard to classify.
II is a farce comedy, but without as much
plot as would cover a dime. Practically
pl0Uess it vet introduces us to a good deal of
human nature, generally burlesqued more
or less, and TO such string of
ridiculous incidents that before one laugh
is done another must be begun. Herein
undoubtedly the chief merit of ''Hoss and
HoSs" lies. namely, that the audience is
never allowed time TO consider why 1t
laughed before it is asked TO laugh again.
The farce does not drag for moment from
first to last.
Charlie Reed is a lawyer of slightly
Hihernian color, who makes speeches, tells
stories and sings patter songs as only
Charlie Reed can. The address to the
jury in behalf of a woman charged
with 'sasSing' a tips1ave of the
court into which Mr.. Reed drags David
and Goliath as a diversion, as well as an
illustration, is very close to what Jury
harangues generally are, a choice mixture of
bunkum and moek-reasoning. 1t is de-
hciously funny.
William Collier made up in mastery
manner as a country Judge, again shows
what a good comedian in higher parts he is
bound to be if he doesn't stay in farce
comedy too long As it is, the quiet humor
Of his characterization is very telling.
There are flashes of broader fun in his work.
too, OF equal effect. Arthur +.
Noulton is right and breezy as Birdie HoSs
ana James B. Gentry's Yankee Sheriff is
amusing as burlesque of the down East
official. Among the girls there is abso-
lutely not one unworthy of praise. They
are all pleasant to gaze upon, they can all
dance and their voices are far
ABOVE THE AVERAGE
farce comedy article. Miss Helena Golfers
dance in the second act is dreamy thing, |
full Of graceful situations, but not insinu- |
ative. 1t is a far prettier dance than |
the so-called kangaroo" affair-we should |
call it a plain kick up with a
rather lofty accent on the kick |
which Miss Collier does in act l. Miss |
Mary Yohe looks bewilderingly pretty and
sings with that singular voice of hers feel |
inClv. Miss Rosa Frances voice is, as
Piusburgers have known in other |
years, not only of rare beauty in |
itself but admirably trained and it |
figured very prominently in the |
seNtette from Lucia" which was wei
sung. Miss Frances i'll health, it is to be
regretted, prevents her larger participation
IN The play at present. A new conner and a
welcome one is another pretty dancer and |
singer, Miss Adele Harrington. Helen
Beimer and Lillian Ramsden clever
comedians, and the latter's wonderful
dancing brought down the house.
Now added to these individual efforts are
the concerted singing and dancing Of the
conn aHy and the work of the Abbott
guarJetIt, which was good though not over
new, and the whole perform
ance has snap and go to it which we have
not seen equaled except in ''The
City Directory" The songs are
very largely new and reflect
credit upon the composer, Mr. Frank
Palma who is the musical director of the
The Beau Brummel duet in act
by NIoulton & HeckeTt is very neat and
new in style. Reed has several new songs,
including The Ticker and a topical ditty
or two. The audience which filled the
house TO the doors marked their approval of
the play with any amount of laughter and
applause. Therefore GLOSS and HoSs" may
be written down a success.