The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-13
ADJUSTMENTS.


English's Opera House was almost packed
from top to bottom last night with one
of the most brilliant audiences that has
ever graced that fashionable place OF
amusement. a very few more people might
nave had seats if they had followed their
better judgment and come out to witness
Anna Held's first indianapolis appearance
in her new musical comedy, "Papa's
Wife Possibly these misguided ones
were too firm in their conviction that hav-
ing seen Miss Held i'm "A French Maid
they could never see her to better ad-
vantage Last nights audience, however,
could (and doubtless WILD tell a far differ
ent story. '.Papas Wife is many degrees
above a French Maid" in almost every
particular There is dash and swing, an
righteousness to the music of the new
production that puts IL i'm a class quite
by itself. Miss Held is now surrounded by
q greatly augmented chorus OF the most
beautiful women possible TO obtain. The
scenery OF "Papa's Wife is of luxurious
elegance. the costumes of Kaleidoscope
beauty better drilled chorus could
scarcely be conceived. One OF the most
striking features of the production is the
enormous amount or WORK required of the
young women of the chorus. AT one time
they are bevy OF convent girls, attired in
quiet. but delicate, costumes of appro-
PIRATE gray; at another, they were trans
formed into a group OF ''prima donnas,"
with whom Papa" had formed an ac-
quaintance during his checkered career;
at still another, they daZzled and charmed
the vision by coming out Respondent in
convent garb they danced and did a cake
walk that was one of the hits of the piece
AS prin,a donnas they took part in a pic
turesque scene showing very recherche
supper at the Golden Lion Hote. In the
uniforms OF hussars. they gave a saber
drill that took the house by storm and
DT40a rod Evar fa.fN
all this, they sang In accompaniment 10
almost every song in the three acts i'm such
manner as 10 amply demonstrate the pos
session of splendid voices as well as album
dance of personal charm. !
''Papa's Wife" Is remarkably clever
blending of two sprightly French vaude-
yilles-'M Madame Nitiche" and la Femme
a Papa'-by Harry b. Smith. LA Femme
a Papa" was written by Hennequin espa-
ciaiy for the late Marie Aimee, but was
secured afterwards by Judic. who had
melodies written for il by HerVe Mime
Nitiche was done into English for Lolita
and produced by her with great success
several seasons. Reginald De Koven has
composed delightful lyrics and a superb
score for the adaptation. which is now the
talk OF an entire country under the title
OF 'Papa's Wife" In most instances of
production with multiple authorship failure
4 the inevitable result In this particular
case, the writers knew they were labor.
ing for Anna Held, and therein lies the
secret OF the marvellous success of the
musical comedy in which she is making
rapid strides towards position in the lead
Of American prima donnas. The word
american is used advisedly. for Miss
Held said In her pretty little curtain talk
last night. ''I am doing my best 10 master
your language, and l thank you for your
appreciation.
1t was worth going a long distance to see
the Anna Held that captured the hearts of
Indianapolis theatergoers anew last night.
The little French beauty of two seasons
ago in "A French Maid was piquant and
charming. The radiant actress of Pal "a :
Wife Is little short OF adorable The most
cynical. who thought critics I'm other cities
were mad TO rave over Miss Held as they
have been doing the present season, capit-
ulated after they had witnessed her Won
derful acting I'm the 'tipsy scene" One
does not need any especial gift OF prophecy
TO forecast from her handling OF this Incl
dent a time when this clever little woman
will appear I'm other surroundings and win
new plaudits III a more serious production
When the time comes, as come IL doubles SIS
Will Miss Held will find the place ready
and waiting for her. A word concerning,
her magnificent gowns should be added
Those worn I'm the latter part OF the first
act after she has become the baron-s wife
and through the rest of the performances
are OF truly regal richness. fairly aflame
with jewels. while the effect Is heightened
by countless gems worn about her exaui-
site neck and flashing here and there I'm
her peculiarly becoming couture.
Charles a. Bigelow has been equipped i'm
'Papa's Wife" with the largest part he