The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-09-04
DIR. sYNTAN."

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If the performance OF "Dr. Syntax" at
the broadway Theatre last night had
ended with the first act there could
have been but one verdict, and IT would
have been unaullinrd success. rhe
three scenes of this act were most en-
PERTAINING, and the school room episodes
were bright, pungont and almost lcgiti-
mate There were one or two good
| songs, n dolicatcly introduced specially
| or two neatly duvctailcd into the action,
ami some capital acting. Th" first act
ended too soon for the second produced
discnchlntm"nt 1t was silly, dun,
pontlrss, Irrelevant ana displriting. Tho
characters dragged themselves uiI and
on the stage and the piece came t. a
sudden end with a boat race. which win
probably be used later ON H. boom the
piece among collcp" boys.
"Dr. oyntaN" has for ia basal ol"-
mcnt Tom Rubertson's School" and its
"volvers arc j. Checvcr Goodwin and
Muclson Morse. both OF whom have
worked consciontlously in the interests
of popularity. riley have not tried to
please the transformations IN the
first act they succeeded in so doing, per
haps involuntarly-nor have they ca
tered to the idiots who roar with laugh
ter when come Ian falls down, and
to whom kicl. is the most inspired
form OF hu'nor In the first act there
are the school, s'r's. the school mistress,
Miss Ienobia Tropics; the English titled
visitor, Lord Lnwntennls; the disap-
pointed schoolma7ter. Prof. Scowls, AMI
DR. SyntaN himself. Their story is most
amusingly tod with musical accom-
phnlment, and the result H. felicitous.
In fact. the Hopper company has done
nothing better, and when the second
act IL remodelled, or cut out, or done
something with, "Dr. SyntaN" should
run for months.
Hopper himself was-well. first OF all
he was Hopper. then he was IA genuine
comedian There were no evidences of
the clown In his performance, which was
surprisingly Straight for this elon-
gated gentleman. Edna Wallace-H Hop
per looked delightful, and her pretty act
ing was marred only by n dawning self
consciousness that was lacking when
she was In Charles Frobman's forces.
Miss Bertha Waltzinger trotted out her
voice a great deal too much. She can
sling very well indeed, but 1t Is trifie
annoying to have to listen to series of
grand-operu roulades in a work like "Dr.
Syntax." II was as though she had
put Ter voice in "A glass case. and Of
fcred 1t on exhibition. Cyril Scott
should return Immediately, If not sooner,
to Charles Frohman. He was not "A
shining light, and his songs were sadden-
Ing. He owns damp and mildewed
voice that should he kept in the dark.
Edmund Stanley was as usual, good
! looking stick, and Alfred Klein contrib
uted an amusing little sketch as Lord
| lhwntennis Miss Jennie Goldthwaite
| made II hit as the sleepy girl, although
some of her suffering episodes might
| be improved upon. and Alice Hosmer was
excellent as Ienobia. Among the school
girls, Miss Louise Campbell deserves q
word OF praise.
1t was n very irritating first night
If there were no regular claque, Their,
was very good imitation of one. Tn,
perpetual encores were simply a nui
sance. Numbers were redemanded thai
will tonight be received in chilly silence
There was no discrminat Ion-choruse
solos ducts-all had to be sung twice
or rn,rs. tho effect wa. hono,.,,, Suc,
'''' wy ""' Nv gu. !
applause dccelvcs nobody. 1t Is like the
flowers passed over the footlights-.