The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-17
ADJUSTMENTS.
.Litt,e Robin.on Cru.oe.v

About the only dramatic event in the
West OF any Importance this summer was
the initial performance last night at the
Schiller, Chicago. of Eddie Foy's new show.
Little Robinson Crusoe.'' Judging from the
conservative and generally unappreciative
notices which Chicago papers give to Foy's
work, and the notice given Little Robinson
Crusoe.'' 1t will prove of the best
sical, comedy, burlesque and scenic enter
tainments of the extravaganza nature that
has ever been brought out in Chicago. In
dianapolis will doubtless see the show after
its summer run at the Schiller Theater. and
there will be some benefit In knowing what
=. j. McPhelm, the most conservative of
Chicago critics. has to say of the new pro-
duction. He says in the Tribune:
Little Robinson Crusoe," which was pro-
duced at the Schiller Theater last night, is a
sort of theatrical tomato, made of every
the taste, IL not particularly nourishing to
the mind. The authors, Harry b. Smith,
" an oDerstic b,IrIss"ue There IS no good
reason why they shouldn't. 1t resembles an
operate burlesque as much as 1t resembles
a burlesque opera musical burletta, or
an extravaganza, or a traveSty, or a vaude-
vile. The foundation OF the entertainment
10 these are S added any equal I humber of men,
picturesquely attired; several hundred yards
Of ATTRACTIVE and Interesting err scenery TRACES
You wish for more, little less OF Sadie
Macdonald. and Eddie Foy ito TASTE" as
TO the strains of merry and melodious mu-
sic.
There were more people In the sheate sG
everybody's comfort, and the atmosphere
was pretty warm But the audience did not
seem to mind, and its evident interest, fee
quent applause and almost continuous
laughter left no room for doubt OF the en-
tire success of the venture. When the prun-
fpU h1C no
been sufficiently exercised TO move easily,
and the players have had time to grow ac-
Crusoe" will be excellent diversion
Ii Is good fun now, thanks mostly to
Marie Dressler. This blithe young woman
Is no ordinary bureSquer. She is a true ar
tIst. notwithstanding she works in froth in
stead OF marble. In Little Robinson Cru
she has ne re n9e those OF et
ing but shrewd and designing women who.
as she informs US. have seen better days
Not the shabby. discolored kind to which
the proprietress of the Maison Nauquer
which harbored NJ. Vautrin and Pere Co
and garlic: rather such as one sees on Derby
day in hired victoria with spaniel and
the star boarder beside her: no longer
ors, but not yet despairing OF one. This
character. by no. means new one. Miss
charm and enacted with so much spirit that
she was absolutely irresistible. 1t would be
worth while sitting in Death valley to see
vet so like, OF Fanny Davenport in 'Gs-
monda. She was indeed the Ire e,, or ne ne
other members of the company revolved as
satellites. Her burlesque OF Trilby was not
so good the Davenport buriesque, but IL
would have been better II II had been equal
~ unexpected (.
Beside so alert and intelligent player as
Miss Dressler an automatic clown like Ed
die Foy could not appear to- advantage. But
Foy was more amusing last night than Is
usual with him. He was less prevalent.
so to speak: not often attacked
with what appears to be parasis: did not
SO frequently wander aimleSsly around the
stage: and good many speeches charged
with what passes for wit put into
his mouth. More than once he was really
funny as when, for instance. he Is told
that fairy has given him warning and
when an anlorous young woman says TO
him: you are so noble and good.
principal roles were taken by Adele Far
rineton. Sadie Macdonald. a winsome and
energetic soubrette' Dougias tlint, a large
man with fine. strong bass voice, and
George A Beane.
MIR. smith, the librettist. has not followed
the story of Robinson Crusoe closely
enough ever to overtake il. The action be-
gins before the Anti-fat Hotel with the
ocean in the background. Mrs 0phelia
Crusoc the landlady. has a son Robinson
who loves and is loved by Polly Perkins.
summer boarder. She is regarded with
procures Robinson's abduction by the press
gang wide Marryatt) Robinson is followed
by his mother and MS sweetheart and by
Tuffenuff a pirate, and Dare Devil Willie
his office boy. This last is Eddie Foy's
part and he has made his entrance on a
canal boat drawn by a skim milk white
mule. The pursuing party Overtakes the
ship that Is bearing Robinson the
sea and far away. the ship sinks and the
survivors of the wreck. whose number
strange to say. includes all the characters
arc cast on what appears TO be a
dinner as well as a desert island The
cannibal king proposes TO make meal.
but delays so long that the visitors have
time. 10 so into business on the island, TO
attend the races and eventually to be
Srarsd TO witness the grand transformation
scene Tfvre is good deal OF singing
and dancing and assorted meTriment.
Praise too great can hardly be spoken OF
the beauty OF the costumes individually