The Minneapolis journal., 1901-11-15
ADJUSTMENTS
''King DodO' at the Metropolitan.

A merry new potentate now rules in the
realm of comic opera. He is named after
tha5 curiously inept and now extinct bird of
Mauriuus, the dodo, and he is just little
funnier than any lof the long line Of poten-
| tates that have swayed the laughter of the
people. Unlike the pathological curio that
figures In his heraldic designs, he has devel-
oped species of low cunning, grotesquely
human, that will prevent his becoming ex-
tinct. King Dodo is in short, what Artemus
Ward would describe Ns "a most amoosin
cuss." After seeing him perform" at the
Metropolitan last night in the presence of the
largest house Of the season. one is fain to
conclude that his success as a ruler in
funnyland is due quite as much to the genius
of Raymond Hitchcock, comedian, as to that
Of Frank Plxley, librettist Certainly. Mr.
Hitchcock has arrived and here's hoping
he'll stay. His methods are as original as
they are effective, and his power to make the
audience laugh without saying word and
simply by the panoramic series of express
sions that chase across his eountenance is
evidence enough Of genius. The business
with which he has clothed the role is not only
rib-cracking in its humor, but far away from
the beaten track of comic opera buffoons. Not
the least Of Mr. Htchcock's good points is a
voice which, though not musical, has Yam
kee twang about it that makes every word,
whether spoken or sung, easily heard every
where in the house.
AS for the production itself. it is In many
respects the best of recent years in its field.
Mr.. Pixley has provided a hook that fairly
sparkles with good things both lyric and
comic. If there is serious weakness, it lies
in the failure to sustain the interest so clev-
erly aroused in the first act and piqued in
the second act This is where most librettists
fail-they do not provide story Of sus-
teined interest in which the vital principle Of
suspense is maintained. King Dodo'' turns
out tamely. The denouement is impotent and
easily foreseen. But aside from this defect,
the book is most excellent. The dialogue is
bright and fast and the lyrics and topical
songs gave the composer, Gustav Luders,
every opportunity for the display Of his tune
full bent. Mr.. Lu1ers has again succeeded in
writing a score which is not merely pretty
and musicianly, but which catches the popu-
lar fancy so completely as to insure that the
streets will resoInd for many day with his
tunes. The Tale of the Bumblebee'' is put
forward as the legitimate successor of ''The
Tale Of the Kangaroo" and while the words
have more sense in them, the. music is almost
IS catchy. The melody is carefully taught
to the gallery by the orchestra leader and his
confederates and 1t will go" But it is by
no means the only good thing in King
Dodo,' whose score will certainly be in great
demand hereafter.
The company is stronger dramatically than
musically, Mr.. Hitchcock being aided and
abetted in the funmaking by Charles w.
Meyer, who is ininitable as the SNUG court
historian and who before his ascension sings
E. taking topical song, LOOK in the Book"
by Arthur Wooley, as the court physician
with a mobile chin and another topical song,
1.-The Eminent DR.. FiZz,' and by Edward A.
Clark as the derelict Irishman who COM
mands the dusky queens army and navy.
Then there is Cheridah Simpson, who makes
dashing figure as the soldier of fortune
who leads the king on his search for the
fountain Of youth Miss Simpson has such
way with her that her vocal deficiencies
are forgotten. The best voice of the company
is that of Greta Risley who plays the afore-
said dusky queen and sings the contralto
songs allotted to that charmer with smooth,
rich and well-modulated vocalization An
other good voice is that Of Mira Delamotta,
who is the court chamberlain. His melodous
tenor compensates for a certain stiffness
notable in his acting. Gertrude Quinlan
makes a pretty picture as the innkeepers
daughter and her voice, while rather light,
would be pleasing if more true. Elsa Ryan
as the princess who causes all the pother
has an unimportant role but fills in the
background well. There should be mentioned
too, the Sieger sisters, who as the heralds
actually play their own horns, instead of
depending on vicarious footing by cornetist
in the wings.
The work of the producer is exceedingly
well done in king Dode." The costumes
are not merely gorgeous, they are in the besr
of taste and designed with fine eye for
effects in light and color The chorus is well
drilled and sings with precision, spirit and
discretion, while a specially augmented or
chestra performs its important share in the
work admirably. In short, king Dodo" is
well worthy Of the great success it has
scored. W. B. Chamberlain