The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-05
NEW THEATRICAL MATTER.
A COHIC OPERA AND a BURLEsoUE
IES7ED LAST ETkSING.

ayaln Teen DEluclpdl IN comic opera OF
American make. He has been portrayed over
and over By several OF our comic comedians.
iacniing Frank Daniels. who did IL
again in THE Amcer" at wallack's Theatre
Las. evening. II Mr.. Daniels were ash cd TO
rive an excuse for his repetition. his reply
might be that audiences have not stopped
laughing at him. WHY should he take the
tl.k Of a new idea while the old one serves
With certainty? So the authors OF the piece
brought out last night. Fred NJ Rankin and
ILkc La Shee. had not struck out in any un-
safe direction, but had stuck very
Enormously to the isure old way. Their
ruer ia difficulties was an inner Of
l',hanis,an. and his revenue troubles were
diverse and complicated. II had been his
annual custom to marry a rich woman. and
H., her pay the tribute demanded by the British
Government to cover the cost OF his military
control This year he meant to make q bride
an American heiress. whose arrival was due.
hut il turned out that she was be:rothed
10 an Eagish officer. nnd could not be induced
e. chang her mind. The insolven. Amer had
gained an income from partnership with brig
ani. and this business compelled him. in the
gu.se OF a hghwayman. to hold up tho stage
coach in which tho American girl was
travelling. lie was captured md NAL
tr.nted by rival robbers. Ho was half
starved through ltdT III pgl7OHiuk W pOlltICdl
enemies. He disguised himself as court
fool to avoid arrest for not paying his debts.
He had to take a native woman for wife
IA the only way to get out OF his difficulties.
II this cursory outline conveys the idea that the
rIocc is the same old thing. then the reader Is
getting the right impression. In fairness II
should further be- said that the sac stun had
been frcshcnol By Mr.. Ranken and Mr.. Ia
shclle with new Jokes and novel iooerv to an ef-
tent which. II laughter meautanything. reached
amusing results The music waa by Victor
Herbert. and IL was far more unusual than the
text, besides being much higher In aim and
achievement. There were tunes. comic or
sentimental. for the songs. as the cases re-
ouired and choruses that were suitably stir
ring.
Mr. Daniels is droll by nature and practice
ur is especially comic in rcrpexties
and besetmentS. aud his fun is all the
better II 1t permits him to get out OF
them by audacty. Hc was fairly well
provided with available matter last evening.
aud he made the utmost use OF IL all. In the
ir-t act he was the perplexed and plotting
ruler with a suggestion OF the Brownie In
shape and manner. In the second act he
fr.red still NOR" Grotesqueiy "a frightened
md talgered bandit. and clOwned II In a way
that tickled the audience very much. He was
ChlItl OuN utter lHub' ulls WIN q SprcGH wan
demanded. he declared that as a member OF
Comic Comedians Union Number Two. he
could not do any oratorlca work on Union
Number ones ground. which belonged 10 De
Nylf Hopper. In the third act he APP
reared incidentally disGu Sed as the Jester
Of his court. and IN various other ways was
entertaining. Two OF his songs were here OF a
taking quality. Indeed this was the best act
OF the three in light locuiar!ty aud musical
tr-kue,S. II ended with a lively cake walk.
nd
; s%:5ese "N%' The A@serS was above the mid!
ding in the general manner Of its representa-
quaint idea zations OF Oriental costumes
sa Ss s 5anTng sei n sp
iul comedian 70 accompany Mr., Dam
tbs ia the S S8mS a FS Ld de' SS
lain, hut not the actor 70 make Il tell for laugh
ter TIE equally ;2miq5 bandit chief was II
1 TSi cana the sTy Ef ~ns the
London. though AN American, vas present
a,s army Cartain. and sang with an Agreeable
29a and bal ii Hssn
keImond was the soprano OF the party and
Ama hP ioEs. sad Is hsr
boys put too shanely and graceful 10 fool
THIS comic opera was like a hun ired previous
comic operas was a woman who pursued the
kEEr cDlLelldn WIFI lilt intent 10 MN
against his will She was spoken OF as an old
maid. and there were references to ugli-
ness; 50 1t was clear that the authors
ilme-worn type: but instead Of that she was a.
iresentablc as, the undishegnr-d good looks 4
responsible for this fruStrnt!on OF design
thanSs should be rendered. The amorouI and
uIy man hunter il an affection which last
T E"' 'D''v"'0 e''ADo0 AA'''"' A"" "''
remarkably willing lot o! specialists
was on hand at the Comilue last evening
Hoiiy Dotty the new vaudev,l" burlcsque
with which this theatre disclosed its stock
COMPANY. was but little more than a success
Sion of -pec!altcs. Scenery was not changed
between turns" and few characters were
recognizable in all OF the new mediums four
scenes; otherwise 1t was variety perform.
unce. The specially folk concerned had.
each IL lbs ~ her Inning. chance 70
show a full list Of accom- plishments. In
every instance the opportunity was seized
upon. and some Of tho more conspicuous OF
the lot had two or more chances for individual
effort In some cases dialogue was supplied
between specalies. and the play bill had
william jerome a. the author OF book and
lyrics. HI, task was not heavy. nor was that
q Frank David. who furnished the IN uslc. but
the lattor in -urer!ntendng the stage had the
greater responsibility. Ga" inning ran So into
Lumber - all. hut ther" were at least a score.
Noraii=n wh~ MAJOR portion
CARR Scott was one l"adcri IN this
l,". Departing from her usual suggestion ot
hBDwrry girl she turned to coon songs and
treated tlom in q novel way, Her dltties. like
rear,y all OF this sort. told ~ woman's
ol.pcasure with a man, and the latter was
represented by tiny negro Ia !. who walked
about tho stage bearing himself in a
Manner fitted 10 her descriptive verses.
p the front, Her offerings measured
Three SpppinItipS md Included clever
limitations and ballads Of an. unmis,ak ably
POPULAR sort. Her imitation OF Scotchman
s,lgng u negro ballad was her most novel
gNort. A number for guHrtette that told the
lnr 'sh!IS Of a stranded theatrical tramp was
amusing. aud familiar SpaclaltieS by Smith
aud Cook, Herbert Ashley and Sam Ryan were
r'apn product. Existing this orgqniZaton
an. preparing It's first performance had been
rrrv hurried matter. but signs Of unrcndiGe
were Few. Tho chief laut was the evident
Tact that each performer was permitted his
oHl time to complete his contribution. some
~ them were not 10 be trusted thus. Curtall-
n'at % their provision will make the sue
"a,-inn bette and an amusing performance
vii ha assured. The promise made Of clean
and wholesome fun was kept.
lectures Of Maude Adams in her acting
Cd - D., oh l