The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-11
The RUSSELL W allace Opera Has
a Funny Finish.
One of the Stars Wore Tights
and Garnered Applause.
OTHER ONE WAS ANGRY
Miss RusselPS Part Didn't Call
For a Bathing Suit.
University of Pennsylvania Stu
dents Franks Make Trouble.

New York. April 11.-Lillian Russell has
resigned her part as La Belle Helene in
the comic opera of that name and 81
multaneously the Lillian Russell-Edna
Wallace Hopper Opera company has ceas-
ed to be. The company closed in Wash
ington last night and the remaining en-
gagements, covering a period of six weeks,
have been Cancelled.
OF course it was nobody's fault.
Edna Wallace Hopper isn't to blame be-
cause the wicked playwright made her
wear costumes that were so inconsider-
able.
part did not call for a bathing suit just
ter that Miss Russell did not have to wear
one. But that is another story.
The question involved in this case was
one of dignity against nudity; MIS-; Ms HoP p
a case in which a frivolous public pre-
Debate y9utn je f6r th pen B0 Of critic
There had long been an unacknow1edged
opera. 1t eliminated in Philadelphia last
Monday night, after turbulent ana m
from the University of Pennsylvania stu
dents. That was too much for Lillian Fus-
sell. She decided to resign at the end OF
The proportions of Edna Wallace Hop
per to Lillian Russell are somewhat like
those of a wasp to a fine bumblebee- In
other respects their relations have not
usually gets the better of the bee, because
the former has an unlimited capacity for
The audience that caused the trouble
was made up principally of students from
its sporting proclivities They had heard
of the interesting costumes worn by Mrs
diced in her favor. full of enthusiasm, and
perhaps something stronger.
to electricity, and to the genius that uses
them They have power IN the e. lack t OF
door of the hospital. They have sweet,
immaculate, triumphant and serene still
After the performance Lillian Russell
absolutely made up her mind ID to lea ave:
week: she vas asked 5y TeP0TteF in i9
Ggairreled and g9Eed sat at s her questoner
i like Edna Wallace Hopper extremely.
She is a pretty, dainty little woman L
jealous Of her? What an idea. We are
4 cease playing because I am tired. be
tinuous run from town to town. was not
offended by what happened in philadelphia:
Disorder of the galleries is to be expected
Edna Wallace Hopper said:
Lillian Russell is exquisite. 1 have a
great deal of affection for her.
Il trying to dethrone her? We are not
She was ordered by Lederer not to talk
of Lillian Russell.
to the weather, the races, the achievements
of her dog Her smile was prettily enig-
deIphia a child's cradle in iron. gilt. and
silk, yellow or saffron. And they have
ordered for her there a large cradle, pink
and gold.
It is proper to recall here that Lillian
Russell long ago abandoned the practice
of wearing tights. She was once sued by
her manager because she had refused to
wear them She replied that nature has
been so generous to her that it was out
of the question for her to appeal to the
public in the manner suggested More
over, she was extremely sensitive to cold.
When it was pointed out that she might
have a wooden lining under the other gar
ments, she said that it was absurd. One
may truthfully say that it was on artistic
grounds that Miss Russell set her face
AGAINST TIGHTS.