The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-11-10
"BEAUTY AND THE BEAST"
Sometime About the Spectacle Pro-
duced in New York Last Week

duced in New York Last Week.
New York November 7.-Considering the
t!relcss hustle for novelty that has chat-
actcrzed American theatrical management
fot the past ten years, one Of the most
Surprising facts that now presents itse'f
to the observer of the stage is that the
American amusement seeking public has
had set Eafore it for the first time, at the
Broadway theatsr night before last, gen
ulnc English spectacle, "rhe Sleeping
Beauty and the Beast"
The story of this extravaganza was writ
ten, and the scenic effects were invented
by Arthur Collins, the managing director
of Drury Lane theater, and j. Hickory
Wood. The book Is n combination of two
familiar childhood tales, The Sleeping
Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. "
While in the main it is a humorous struc-
turc, there is strong serious vein woven
into 1.-THE motive of the conflict between
light and darkness, the powers of good
and evil, represented by the queen Of the
fairies and her court and the witch and
her imps and DEMONS, In which the good
| finally riumphs
For representation here the book was
| 'naturallzed' 10y John j. McNally and J.
thecyer Goodwin. The important changes
made have been in the comedy scenes to
| bring the humorous side up To that quick
| action which Is the delight of the American
| lover of stage run. As the sense OF hui
nor Of people is essentially local to their
environment, humor on the stage must be
adapted to the tastes of the public Appealed
t. for support.
The company Is especially strong in rs
comedians and leading women. Harry Bul-
ger plays King Bardout; Joe CaWthome,
The German character comedian, Lena, the
Princess Beauty'S nurse; Charles j, Ross,
the queen; John Page, President Petlt;
John Hyams, DR.. Squiis; Franz Ebert, Tie
I'm IlAfH t1n D-f1 nrt
cess Beauty; Viola Gillette. Prince Charm
| Ing; Phoebe Coyne, Malevolcnta, the witch;
Nellie Thorne, Reneyolenta; the fairy
ence Hcngler Flossie. and Nora Cecil,
| Jane Whitbeck, Annahelle Whit ford aud
| Nina Fitzwlllialns, Algie Reggie, Johnnie
lively.
THE Sleeping Beauty and the Beast Is
presented In twelve scenes with innumera-
BILE Incidental scenic. effects. These stage
pictures represent the Fairy Parliament,
an HNdropathic Bath at "Alxand- Pains, "
the Haunted Vaults of the Castle the
Royal Aviary, the Tangled Forest En-
trance to the Ancient Castle Grounds, the
Deserted Castle. Bcautiy's Awakening, in
Producing the ballet Of The Four Seasons, ="
and the Grlgolatls troupe of aerlalists; the
Palace of the New Republic, Exterior of
the National Museum, the Princes Orange
Grove and the Enchanted Crystal Garden,
in which the beautiful Palace of Crystal
is exhibited.
In the first scene, tho Fairy Parliament,
the Fairy Queen suggests to the fairies,
who are preparing gifts 10 he sent to NOR
tails, that a female child be bestowed on
the childless old king and queen Of Praps-
burg. This is agreed TO and various en-
dowments are granted her The fairies
are interrupted by the appearance Of the
Queen Witch, a wicked fairy cast out of
Falyland like Lucifer from Heaven who
DEGREES that the child shall prick her hand
on the spindle Of spinning wheel on her
sixteenth birthday and die The Fairy
Queen is poweross to prevent this spell,
l.rtf fIaa fan, oil .rriuf s.f dol.
she declares. the princess shall sleep for
100 years and hc awakened by the kiss OF
prince. In connection with the appear
hhcC OF the child several remarkably beau
| tiful spectacular effects are presented.
In the scene at the Hydropnthic Baths
the comedy begins, accompanied by spe-
cialtlcs, which are interpoated through
out tho presentation of the piece by the ar
lists who sustain the cher humorous in
tcrcsts. In the fourth Scene. the Royal
/ Ayialy. the princess is celebrating her
sixteenth birthday BY magic ncantation
the witch causes a vision Of her sirens
spinning at gold and silver spinning wheels
70 appear 10 the princess, who. delighted,
desires TO spin too. As the clock strikes
4 she pricks her hand. Her cries bring
the King, aud queen and court attendants
The spell Is so potent that the king and
queen and the court fall asleep. All Stun
| Der fot 100 years.
In the scene Of the Tangled Forest the
opening OF the second act, Prince Charming
Is hunting with his chums They have
secured no game and IN disgust he bids
them hunt for lunch" He regrets that
the days Of chlyalry are passed and no
dragons live to be fought or princesses "a
rescue. The Fairy Queen appears ana
tells him Of the story Of Princess Beauty
and bids him go to the old castle and res
| cue her from the spell OF the witch. The
prince. and his companions force their
way through tho imIs and demons OF the
| witch 20 the castle and various changes
! o. scene trace his progress and lead 10
the ballet OF THE -Four seasons" and
/ the tablean OF "Beautys, Awakening -
| Spring, with q background Of hlossoming
hawthorn, and with lilac violets, prlin-
roses and daises springing up all around,
| forms an exquisite landscape, through
! which Cuplds and other sprtes appropriate
| 10 ST. Valentines Day gnily trip sham.
| rocks symbolic ST. Patrick's Day. Palm
! bearers and Faster eggs. together with
hint Of birds nesting, suggest Easter;
| April fools OF most engaging description
| are reminiscent OF that day. Primrose nav
Is distinguished ny PROFESSIONS hearing the
4 appropriate flower. and May Day bright,
| ems the scene with wisterlu, laburnum and
| apple blossoms these and myriad az
| other flowers forming the dresses and dec.
4 oratlOuH Qf falrieR In atteudnnce on tha NJ a =