The San Francisco call., 1896-10-13
The Comedians Work Contains
Bright Music and New
Jokes,
AN OLD PLAY AT THE GRAND
Beatrice Lieb and Her Lily Langtry
Fall at the .Alcazar Last
Evening.

Ferris Hartman's friends packed the
Tivoli Opera-house last night to welcome
him in his new capacity as composer OF
musical extravaganza, and flowers, ap-
plause and encores were rained upon the
fortunate comedian with reckless pro-
fusion.
"The Babes in the Wood" is Hartman's
first attempt in the line of composition,
and in the inevitable speech for which he
was called he described it as a very silly,
silly little thing" Indeed, he has never
spoken of it save with apologies for its
shortcomings. which shows the wisdom of
not unduly raising peoples hopes before
hand. for 1.-The Babes in the WOOD" scored
an emphatic success last night.
The new musical comedy is almost
innocent of plot, but that is a peculiarly
of most works of its kind, and on the
other hand the music is bright, sparkling
and almost all new to San Francisco
hearers; the turns of which the comedy
largely consists are clever and diversified,
the Jokes are new and up to date, and the
management has contributed its share
toward the success of 1.-The BaDes IN the
Wood" by providing good company and
pretty ana appropriate costumes.
II is sal that the music consists chiefly
of new songs from New York and London.
Ii so, a number of very attractive songs
must be in vogue now, and 1t is no eXag-
geration to say that Hartman has shown
great taste and skill in adapting them to
his own purposes. Among the most ap-
plauded pieces were the pretty duet,
Il Wonder Why; the song and chorus,
"Ha, Ha," which Rafael sings with
his followers as Sir Rowland Macassar; /;
srroCaftIl ha Han n Droa m and ~ SunU
by Rhys Thomas; the song which Maui
rice Darcy sang so well, "She Has No
Pepper Now; the Spider and Fly"
duet between the babes, and-but to
enumerate the pretty melodies would be
to name them nearly all.
As to the jokes, most OF them were
either political or local. Here are a few
OF them: Says Weary Willie-16 to l is
not half so good as II to 1. Dusty Rhodes
-How's -that2 Weary Willie-l2 to l.
free lunch.
Two conspirators are talking, and DR..
Deadstone asks OF Lady Macassar, HAS
all been kept secretY' Yes" replies
Lady Macassar; I'VE advertised the fact
in all the Oakland papers, so now no one
can hear about it,"
Ferris Hartman played the part of
Weary Wilhe, and w. 81. West was
Dusty Rhodes, his com panion in abduct-
ing the babes. The two worthless quarrel
III InS lOI6Stt DIS bHolT pTeQ0C6SSOIS IN Tic
fairy tale did, but, unlike those gentle
men, they fight it out in burlesque prize
tight, which was one OF the most amusing
turns Ill the extravaganza. Miss Lilly
Post, the pr1ma donna, who made
her temperance last night, was
in good voice, and sang sweetly as
Miss C. Raven, the fascinating school
teacher. Eivira Crox eabrooke threw her-
self with plenty of spirit into the role Of
the female babe, ana Maurice Darcy sang
and acUed cIeverly as her brotner. Miss
Bernice Holmes was good as the new
woman" and her band of bicycle girls
won good deal of applause in the cos
tunes of local clubs. John J. Rafael and
William H. Tooker also did good work.
Last night a number of encores we're de-
manded and gwen, ana, as the second act
was long in itself, the clocks had just
struck 80 before the curtain went down
on the second act, and it was well toward
midnight before the audience reached
their homes. 1t is stated that tonight the
extravaganza will be pruned down, so that
people can be sent on their way rejoicing
by l0:30.