The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-15

cipals or the lack of go which was every
where noticeable in the presentation
To begin with, the plot essential even in
this character of musical comedy extrav-
aganza, is as ancient as the theater itself
a penniless, fortune hunting earl desires
to marry an American heiress in order to
relieve himself from financial embar-
rassment. 1t happens that his son loves
a famous dancing girl of the Folies The
alter ballet, and that, in making his pro-
pOSal the father unconsCiously expresses
desire to wed the dancer, who of
course, thinking that he is merely giving
his consent to her union with his son. re-
turns his affectionate advances A poor
artist really loves the heiress. who is
travelling incognito, and in time this
painter begins to rise as is their habit
when heiresses are to be obtained. In the
meantime the earl has announced publicly
his engagement to the ballet girl and her
manager, with true latter day instinct
sees a chance for gratuitOus advertising
and spreads the report of the affair dill
gently. In order to avoid marrying the
dancer. the earl consents to her marriage
with his son and all ends beautifully with
a scene from the Sultan's harem. This is
the plot and it is not a particularly Orgi-
nal idea for latter day extravaganza.
The performance last night was diff
cult one, as. Just before leaving Boston,
ballet girl, sprained her ankle severely
but was plucky enough to insist on con-
tinuing in the role, although many of her
clever dances and pretty bits of business
were of necessity cut out.
She is pretty and vivacious, sings better
than the average by far. can act fairly
we'll and deserves credit for pluck unus-
ual in her sex. Her dainty little song.
AT the Stage Door is one of the very
few little snatches in the piece one would
care to whistle. Miss Hepner, who assays
the role of the heiress, Is neither very
pretty nor can she sing a great deal. Her
acting is her one redeeming feature
Here charity cOmpels one to stop spe-
cialiZing regarding the ladies, unless 1t
be with Miss Hilton, who does a very
old part well. The gentlemen are as
rule good, notably Thomas Ricketts,,
whose make up is a very fine study of
famous Gotham after-dinner speaker.
His stage business is also rather unique
although sometimes verging a little on
horse play" Mr.. Edwards and Mr.. Bru-
no, both clever people. succeeded in good
comedy roles, the latter doing very
pleasing little speciality in the first act
and the former livening the otherwise
dull situations with amusing eccentrics.
Candor compels the statement that the
other gentlemen are not up to Mr.. Rices
standard. A possible exception is Mr.
Jose, yet q dozen men of less reputation
would have done better in the same part
Mr.. Lythgoe is a clever vocalist but a
miserable actor and Mr.. Arthur is poor
whether acting or attempting TO sing In
fact, until the finale there is absolutely
nothing strange, extraordinary or start
ling in the whole presentation. OF course,
as in all Rice productions there are pref
ty girls galore with some elegant effects
in costuming and designing. The scenery
is adequate although not especially e1abo-
rate.
Probably two-thirds of the large audi
ence present will agree in saying that
there is nothing commendatory in the
presentation except its cleanliness. The
plot is time worn, the music is reminis-
cent and lacks that indestructible catchi-
ness so essential to popularity. while the
dialogue is not brilliant. All in all the
presentation is the worst yet exploited
under the Rice management.