The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-31
ADJUSTMENTS.
ssThree Little Lambs" at English
Opera House.

The memory of the constant theater-
goer would have TO go back beyond 1.-THE
Runaway Girl and 1.-The Founders to
find as bright, sparkling. funny, thor
oughly pleasing entertainment as THE
Three Little Lambs" which made its in
itial bow to indianapolis at English's, last
night. and completely captured the admira-
ton of those who were fortunate enough
to be present. If patrons of the higher
priced theaters were half as loyal to their
places of amusement as are the devotees
of the popular-priced houses, such delight
ful affairs as "Three Little Lambs would
not fail to receive the attention they de-
serve. However, there are to be two more
performances to-day and there is no room
for doubt that those who stayed away last
night viii be eager TO atone for their error
of judgment
Three Little Lambs is called, on the
programme. musical comedy. but that
term conveys scant idea of its merits 1t is,
in part, a musical comedy, but there are
also features that give strong suggestion
of comic opera, and. in addition, there Is a
liberal dash or burlesQue OF the very clev-
crest sort. A perfectly bewildering number
of fads and weaknesses or prominent peo-
pie In society, politics and on the stage are
parodied and caricatured with a merciless-
ness and depth of humor that fairly out
does such master of satire as Charles II.
Hoyt. The greatest hits of the evening were
scored by Messrs. Hitchcock. Lawrence
and Miss Marie Cahill, THE Three Little
Lambs" In their excruciatingly funny
take-ons of Irving and Terry. Hamilton
Revelle and Olga Nethersole i'm "Sapho."
and Mrs. Fiske in Becky Sharpe" The
Irving burlesque. particularly. caught the
fancy of the audience by its clever fling at
the naughty actor-peeTs refusal to give
"Roeespierre" during his recent Indian
he fhraf frrcf
mentioned. Hitchcock. Lawrence and Miss
Cahill are, unquestionably, as great
team OF funmakers as ever appeared before
an audience. Their recognition. last night.
was almost coincident with their first ap-
pearance on the stage. Each of them
seems TO have been intended by nature for
the business OF making folks laugh. Miss
Cahill won a special triumph. not by her
beauty. for she has little of that but by
her fetching ways. her sweet voice and her
remarkable vivacity.
A conspicuous feature about the fun of
Three Little Lambs" is it's apparent
spontaneity- Scarcely a song is sung or
joke worked of or ludicrous piece of
stage business executed in a manner that
savors OF prearrangement. In fact there
does not appear to be any order whatever
about the entertainment. Its designers
must have had I'm mind the plan OF getting
ND something that would please immensely
overwhelmingly, and, by lucky chance,
succeeded.
Nellie Braggins. who impersonated
Gretchen Dare, leader of the jolly ballet
came In for her full share of approval, al
though slightly handicapped by lack of op-
portunity. Her "Bugaboo' song, rendered
with the assistance of a splendid chorus
and two as cute pickaninnies as one could
wish TO see. was one of the most heartily
encored features of the long programme
Miss Braggins also aroused the enthusiasm
OF her audience in the song Long Ago"
I'm which she had the assistance of Will
liam I. Cartoons superb bass voice. Mr.
carleton was heard again with keen salts
faction in The Absent-minded Beggar."
His success IN this selection was remark
able In view of the absence of chorus.
which would clearly enhance the general
effect. The more serious part OF the en-
tertainment, IL the expression is allow
able. was sustained by Miss Clara Palmer
and SIR. William T.. Philip both of whom
possess voices that would grace more pre-
tentious organizations Miss Palmer is one
or the most beautiful women seen here i'm
a long time and has form that closely
approximates perfection. All the aid that
could be supplied by elegant costuming was
present. Miss Palmer's successful songs
were The Dresden China Girl" sung with
the assistance OF an excellent double male
quartet, and ''The Man Behind the Gun ;,
In which she was supported by the fun
chorus and an appropriate background of
tackles surrounding a piece OF ordnance
She also opened the second act with Mr.
Philip in the sentimental ballad "Dreamily
Dream"
The piece abounds with fresh, up-to-date
song hits. There are so many of these
that mention OF every one Is out OF the
question. A few that contributed material
ly TO the favorable verdict pronounced upon
the entertainment Mistress Muse -
sung by Miss Cahill. Mr.. Hitchcock and
Mr.. Lawrence; Three Little Lambs" by
the same trio: what You Don't Know -
by Messrs. Wizard. Hardaway and the
Misses GoOdall and Gordon: Peggy
Bake, by Mr.. Castle and chorus: Pussy
Ca. by Nellie Braggins and chorus; Gay
Golf Ball. By Mr.. Wizard and the bank
directors: 'fIVfllve Willie - nv Miss Good
all and the jollity girls; Down on the
Farm. by Messrs. Hitchcock and Law
renee and Miss Cahill. and Little Lola
Little" by Hitchcock, Lawrence, Miss Ca
hill and the directors
review OF last nights performance
would not do ordinary justice II II failed
10 mention the exquisite costumes that
contributed so largely 10 the series of
charming stage pictures shown. The light
effects were also striking and the scenic
surroundings OF a richness quite I'm keeping
with the character OF the production.