Omaha daily bee., 1892-08-01

The Harrison & Bell comedians gave their
first performances of Little Tippett" yester-
day at the Faruam Street theater, and q
critical estimate must award the new play
the triumph of an exceedingly promising in
auguraton. Indeed, it is quite within bounds
to say that 1t scored great hit and that IT has
every needed quality fer a pronounced and con-
tinued success There were cruditles, as was
to be expected in initial performances, but
the performances demonstrated that the
drama Is exceptionally strong in the comedy
element, which is not only worked up naJu-
rally into effective climaxes. but is sustained
in a crescendo action until the last fall of the
curtain. The play is presented by an excel
lent company, every role being interpreted
by capable artist and no part peng
sighted.
Little Tippett" Is an adaptation by Harry
and Edward Paulton themselves the authors
of several noted theatrical successes) from
the French OF Alexander Bisson, one OF the
most successful of living writer's of farce and
comedy. French plays are apt to be risque,
but the Gallo dramatists are wonderfully
clever in the contriving of dramatic situa-
tions In this case the adapters have re-
moved everything ocjectionably suggestive
and produced play that will pass the
gauntlet of the most exacting Anglican test.
The intricate French complication of situ9-
tion is there, but the story is absolutely
clean, with not a line to offend American
taste.
The characters of the play are Tippett and
Newton, partners in business: Mrs. Tippett
and Mrs. Newton; Everard Bunker, the rich
uncle and dotlng guardian OF Mrs. Tippet. |;
George Gibbs the butler of the Tippetts, and
his wife Geraniun, who is the nurse; Little
Tippett and Little Gibbs, two infants.
Tlppett and Newton have both been di-
vorceu from an adventures known as
Georgina Brown. Tppett has been es-
tranged from his second wife, and at the
opening of the play has just returned from q
years stay in Europe and become reconci!ed
with with her rrr in a. meeting ehiaa.o at his
has been born, but he is left
in ignorance of that fact. his wife wishing
TO spring the surprise on him when he
reaches home. About this time Newton re-
ceives a letter from Georgina Browns law
ycrs stating that he is the father of a son
born after their divorce, and it is intlmated
that the infant is on the way TO him and his
delivery can only be stopped by the payment
of an exorbitant oriba. Newton gets out of
the dilemma by altering the letter and ad-
dressing it to Tippett. When, therefore,
a nurse appears at the Office with baby and
the exclamation, Here he is" Tippett ana
Newton assume that the youngster Is the
son OF Georgina. AS matter OF fact. 1t is
the son OF Tippett by his second wife. Ga
the other hand, Mrs. Tirpett number two,
Uncle bunker and the Gibbses know nothing
OF the suppositious child of Gcorgina
Brown, but the audience is the master OF the
true SITUATION OH UOLu SlucS.
On this foundaton is built an intricate
play OF cross purposes that cannot be ade-
quately explained in a few words, but IL
comes so thick and fast there is scarcely
time between laughs To take breath. To
still further comp!icate matters the Gibbs
infant gets mixed up in the confusion and is
kidnapped by Newton instead of tho Tppett
baby, when ne supposes is Gsorgina Browns
offspring. or course everything comes out all
right In the iinal scene, when the fact Is dis
closed that Georgina Brown had no Lady
and that the letter from her lawyers wus
merely olackmailing scheme.
Last nights performance went with fine
spirit, and the enthusiastic audience, not
content with an almost continuous laugh and
innumerable bursts OF applause, Insisted on
several curtain calls. The role of Tippett
was interpreted by Mr.. Charles Bowser,
who treated it In a farcca VEN, which was
entirely permissible and Thoroughly accept
able. Mr. Edward Bsll, handsome enough
TO be the IDOL OF tho matinee girl, has a fine
Stage presence, Is finished actor and made
an admirable foil for Tippett In his
Interpretation OF Newton. Miss Mabel Bert
Is regal beauty aud as Mrs Tippett
was an ideal wife, all tenderness and deyo-
iion. Mr. Harrv Allen is one OF the best old
men Of the stage, and as Uncle bunker he
was as good aud benign ami meddlesome as
the genuine article. Miss Marie Lewes is
attractive of face and voluptuous OF figure,
and portrayed Mrs. Newton with an admir-
able play OF varying expression. Mr.. Harry
Morgan as Gi b and Mrs. Harry Bloodgood
as Mrs. GIBBS were not wanting in excellence,
and the two babies, bless 'em, captured the
audience on sight. In short, the company
proved TO 0e one OF those organizations Ia
which there Is no star, but every member is
an artist OF high grade Of excellence Tho
action OF the play never halts, and not only