The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-01-14
MUSIC AND DRAMA
THE BROWNIES.

The great production of the Brownies
drew two large audiences to the Craw-
ford Grand yesterday. The matinee was
one OF the largest for years and at the
evening performance standing room was
sold, although Manager Martling had
provided for a large number OF extra
chairs to accommodate the great crowd.
Taken in all, the Brownies production
was the finest spectacular production that
has ever been in Wichita for the past
five years. The music, choruses. ballots
and s2ecialties, the gorgeous and elabo-
rate scenery, the costumes and calcium
and electric effects were all very fine. 1t
was the first performance in Wichita or
Palmer Cox's Brownies and every one
wanted to see and hear IL The plot IS
on the order of The Devils Auction and
the Black Cook, but this production ex-
celled either OF the other that have ap-
peared at the Crawford The music was
very pretty, catchy and inspiring. me
choruses were well drilled and the girls
were pretty. The fussy little Brownies
representing the numerous characters
invented by Palmer Cox, were very anus
ing. The Brownie dude. policeman, Chi
naman, Dutchman, Indian, etc, were all
there. The Oriental dance was dream
of graceful evoluttons The German
band was exceedingly clever and humor-
Gus. With the Brownies are two OF the
finest acrobats that have ever been seen
in Wichita, the RONALD brothers, ana IL
would indeed be a marvel to see them
excelIed. The stage machinery was pro-
baby the most elaborate ever here and
required seven men carried by the com
pany to manipulate in addition 10 the
local stage hands. The most beautiful
of all the effects is the flying ballet in
the last act. In every way the play was
a great thing. The plot of the play Is
not difficult to follow and 1t presents a
pretty story.
Tftania, Queen Of the Fairies. is be-
trothed to Prince F1orimel, adopted son
of Stanislaus, King of the Brownie Band.
The wedding is to be celebrated on the eve
of May, and the Brownies have come 10
Fairyland TO take part in the general Jol-
LITIGATION. Dragonfel, wicked Demon
and his retinue come to the wedding,
bearing gifts and disguised as friends and
well wishers While Brownies and Fays
are entertaining the prince and queen
with song and dance an alarm comes 10
the palace that Titania and her ladies IN
waiting have been carried away by ORA
gonfel who thus seeks to prevent the
rover for good which would result from
an alliance of the Brownies and Fays.
The Brownies build a raft and follow. \
terrific storm imperils their safety. ORA
gonfel appears in the sea chariot carry
ing the queen to his enchanted island.
Bv means of a raft and air ship the
Brownies reach the enchanted island
and find much to mystify them. The
Brownies hide in the outer halls of the
castle. while the king and some of his fol-
lowers disguised as a German street
band gain entrance to Dragonfefs pres
cnce At a favorite moment they make
an attack on Dragonfel and are about TO
conquer, when he calls on Vulcan to
bring earthquake and ruin The castle
falls in ruins, the mountain becomes a
volcano and lava is seen pouring down Its
side to overwhelm and destroy the Brown
les. The Brownie fire department comes
TO the rescue.
Daylight finds the Brownies still in
ouest of the queen. and as their power
is gone with the rising sun, they are
easily overcome by Dragonfefs followers
and made to toll in the mines. The In
dian Brownie, however, h5erates them
by the aid of dynamite. Florimel and
| Titania are ultimately united and al
ends happy and leaves the Brownies ir
the glorious break of day in Brownie
land
Tonight Jules Walters Sid Tracked
will be presented.