The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-03
MILE. Fiji"
A Second Bit of Partisan Folly Comes
to Startle Staid New England Town

Second Bit OF Partisan Folly Comes
to Starte a Staid New England Town
The second of the triad of comedies
with frivolous manners and unfragrant
morals, which is just now appearing
consecutively at the Worcester theater,
made its call yesterday afternoon and
evening, leaving behind it rather bet
ter impression than its immediate pre-
decessor. mile. Fifi'' is certainly super
ior to 'In Paradise" both in conception
and construction. 1t has some pretense
to a piquant and original story; 1t
keeps up the interest quite as brightly
through the final iaeta as through The
others; the dialogue, though not bril-
liant, or even smart, has a certain apt
ness that falls humorously on the ear.
In all these respects, Mr. Brady's farce
has a long lead over that of Mr. Doris.
And though the piece radiates a blush
ing atmosphere throughout, the sala-
cious element is not so forcibly- logged
in, but chooses rather to glimmer in
| occasional suggestions. This method
may be equally pernicious, but it is
less nauseating. Indeed, were it not
pressing one or two speeches, the play
might be viewed without serious Of
Tense by the young person, who nova
days is getting to be quite a sophisti-
cted individual.
Mile. Fiji" tells of a young couple
deeply in debt, who hit on the plan
of obtaining divorce in order to secure
control OF their marriage portions and
release themselves from their financial
difficulties. The husband is to counter
felt an ENHANCEMENT, and the wifes
role is simulated Indignation and an
immediate legal action. Unfortunately
the wifes pretended jealousy becomes
real, and the pair soon find themselves
in earnest. The parents, who discov-
cred the comedy, refuse to believe the
reality of their children's indignation,
and the pair get no sympathy. except
from a money lender. who started the
plot for his own ends. Finally, after
two hours of more or less amusing
complications, the curtain falls on re-
Cancellation of husband and wife.
The sole feature in which lin Para
disc exceis Mile. Fiji is in the cast.
Several of the players last night were
in the original New York production,
but there were others that had a second
choice flavor Marie Wainwright
played the mother-in-law, a Boston
widow with Chicago characteristics, in
an agreeable manner, though perhaps
a little lacking in dash Alice Judson.
as the dimInutiye and naughty Fiji, was
on the stage but a short time, but had
considerable to do while she was there
To Miss Judson falls the daring bust
ness referred to above. 1t was so dar-
ing as to be hazardous, though rumor
says it has been softened considerably
since the initial production. Miss Jud-
son sang very badly, even for an ex-
prima donna, but in other respects full
filled the requirements Of the adapter
and stage manager beyond carping.
Thomas Fl. Burns gave a genuinely
artistic portrayal of the spendthrift
father Grace George was charminglv
unaffected as the wife, and Dore David
son made of the Hebrew money lender
a very. funny and but little exaggerated
creation. What added to the endowment
of the farce was the incidental music
which consisted of popular SONGS
played at times when situations in The
farce suggested their titles The selec.
tons We're very cleverly made
The new theater program made its
appearance yesterday bound in a tak-
In red and gilt cover. The frontiscpieca
IS lifelike portrait of Manager Wen
delschaefer, and the booklet contains
besides tn. usual matter, pictures of
Minnie Seligman, Richard Golden Tbo-
odore Babcock and Julia Marlowe 4
praiseWorthy feature is a. page devoted
10 the attractions running at the laad-
ing New York and Boston theaters Al
together the pamphlet makes n hand
some souvenir, and one likely to he nre.
served by theater patrons.