The times., 1899-05-07
FABLES and RHYMES
ENACTED IN new YORK
Hot Weather Turns Gotham
ties to Extreme Frivolity.
Mother Goose and IAN Arabian
Girl Late Productions.
Kitty Mitchell Does Good work i'm
the One. and Eddie Foy seems to
Have Failed In the Other.

New York, May 3.-After three
months of active preparation a new musi-
cal comedy, called Mother Goose" was
produced at the Fourteenth Street Theatre
on Monday night in the presence OF a large
and decidedly enthusiastic audience The
piece is an absolute and attractive novelty
and sure-enough success. AS its title
indicates, it is founded on the nursery
rhymes, introducing nearly all the charac-
tiers so familiar to our boyhood-or girl
hood-days. There is Little Jack Homer,
cleverly acted by Olive Redpath; Little
Boy Blue, capitally played by Kitty
Mitchell, whose well-rounded figure looked
stunning in blue-colored tights; Peter
Piper, Mrs. Jack Spratt, Simple Simon,
Little Sallie Waters, Little Red Riding
Hood. Little Bo-Peep, Goody Two Shoes,
Tom Tom, the Piper's Son, Tommy Tucker,
and Mother Goose. The extravaganza is
in three acts. showing the village of Ban
bury Gross. the schooroom of Old Mother
Goose, and scene at Banbury Fair. The
book. which Is by Edgar Smith and Louis
De Lange, is a really clever workvin fact,
it is much better than is usually found in
efforts of the sort. Fred Eustis and Fred
Gagel are responsible for the music, which
is of light and jingling order. Several Of
the numbers are likely to become popular.
and it will not be long before they are
sung and whistled all over town. As an
incidental to the performance, Amelia Clo-
yer. 1.-The American Fawn." introduced a
characteristic dance, in which she was as
sisted by Arnold Kiralfy and a grand ballet
of shapely girls There is also large
chorus of young and pretty blonde. bru-
nette. and auburn-haired fairies, clad in
fetching costumes. In the cast the best
work was done by Olive Redpath, Alex
ander Clark, Ida Mule, Willard Simms.
Hubert Wilkie. Frank Blair, Kitty
Mitchell, and the Countess Olga Regina
Won Hatzfeldt-I am assured that the lat
ter is real countess. The piece is given
with handsome and costly scenery and ac-
cessories 1t should be a strong attrac-
ton for ladies' and children. Manager Ju-
MUS Howe tells me that he Will keep 1t
on until the advent of extreme hot weather,
and next season present 1t in all the I'M
portant cities. Because of the numerous
encores bestowed, the first rendering did
not end until nearly midnight Mother
Goose" is all right, and a valuable piece
Of theatrical property. must not fail to
mention that forty children are employed
in the presentation, which has been staged
ry Max Freeman.
IAN Arabian Girl and Forty Thieves"
| David Henderson's burlesque, is on view
| at the Herald Square Theatre, where u Is
| drawing the admirers of comedy damsels
clda in abbreviated costumes and proper
ty' smiles The young women are likely
| lot. and every mothers girl of 'em is pos
sessed of an interesting form. The SHOW"
| Is a rather good one and the exhibition OF
| feminine charms most entieing. The
leading male part is acted by one Edwin
| Foy, whose friends have conspired 10
make him believe that he is comedian
| His work is calculated to bring tears 10
| the most unrepentant and hardened sin
ner. However, as an enlivening display
| the affair Is all that the most Jaded thea-
tregoer could wish for. Incidentally. there
is some vocal music. sung by people who
can sing and dancing by bevy OF young
women who know their business and
done 1t.
| Jacob Lit inaugurated his tenancy OF
the Broadway Theatre on Monday night by
making an elaborate revival OF "Shenan-
doah.' The play has been before the pub
| lis several years. yet, strange to say. TINS
| is its first production on Broadway. A
| strong feature is made of the battle scene
! in the third act in which many men and
thirty or forty horses are employed. The
cast includes Joseph Haworth, Mary
| Hampton, ]. H. Gilmour, Nanette Com
stock. Frank Losee, Grace Henderson, and
Bijou Fernandez
This is the final week of the Castle
| Square Opera Company at the American
| Theatre Verdi and Gounod divide the
| period, the former being represented by
| al Trovatore'' and 'Aida," and the latter
| by Faust" and Romeo and Juliet" Next
| Tuesday "We'uns of Tennessee" a South
ern drama by a native author, will be
given its first performance there. The
management promise appropriate scenery
| and q good cast which will include Geor-
| gia Waldron, an exceedingly clever iuve-
nile actress. Victory Bateman. who has
| lately been released from a sanitarium,
| will also have an important part in the
piece.
The Rogers Brothers and "a Reign Of
Error have entered on their third sue
csesful month at the Victoria, where they
will probably continue all summer. Mon
day night there was presented John j.
| McNally's burlesque on 'Zaza" called
| Mile. Ka-Za-Za." The skit proved to be
a hilarious affair and was received with
shouts OF laughter. 1t has added new life
| to the entertainment.
The season at the Empire Theatre
closes Saturday night with the final rem
| dering of Lord and Lady Algy." after
which the late and lamented Shakespeare
is to have an inning. Next Monday his
play, Romeo and Juliet" will be done
with notable troupe, including Maude
| Adams, as Juliet; James X. Hackett, as
Mercutio; and William Faversham. as
Romeo. This promises to be an interest
ing event to the many admirers OF Miss
| Adams, who have bought every seat and
box for the opening performance.
The Casino is dark this week, but is ex-
pected to reopen within few days, when
an important revival OF ''Erminie' will be
made, with Lillian Russell and Francis
Wilson in the leading roles. When this
opera was originally produced at the
| Casino, nearly a decade ago, it ran for two
years without break. making stars OF
Pauline Hall and Mr.. Wilson.
Joseph Jeferson's six weeks trip In
rip Van Wrinkle" and THE Rivals ends
May 13. in Rochester. The celebrated
| comedian will then go to BuZzard's Bay
for the summer. Eis next journey begins
| in October, NANCY SYKES.