The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-18

ers,n a foundation upon which has been built
q beautiful and effective production The
first necessity, Of course, was a strong COM
pany, and this has been literally provided.
both the musical and comedy departments be-
ing we'll looked after The principal come
dams are John Henshaw and Edwin Foy, who
are IN about, as marked a contrast as could
be imagined, Henshaw returns as gracefully
debonair and, smugly audacious as ever. Be-
Ing Well provided for in the matter of role.
he has only to overlap 1t richly with his
characteristic persiflage. The result Is far
more effective than anything he has attained
before, because he has been given something
tangible to work on and not forced to rely
entirely upon his own airy and insubstantial
resources. This has relieved his work Of
some Of the egoism that cropped out in pres
viols productions and revealed him as clever
and reasonable entertainer.
Edwin Foy is just the same as he always
mas been--only more so. His face. with the
same makeup he has always affected, lis ex-l
pressive only OF sublime and thoroughly self
satisfied inanity. His slightest motion suf-
fees to set the audience off into roars of
laughter. No one ever explained just why
or how Foy was funny, but every one ad-
mits that he is. His costumes in the pres
emit production are maryelss of ingenuity and
his pathetic pursuit through the whole play
Of his beloved pants" is certainly an original
idea. tits noted with surprise, too, that Foy
1t is not nearly SO raucous as erstwhile.
D. L. Don, the third comedian, is quaint
little fellow, with squeaky voice and MIN
Die legs. He makes very ridiculous prince.
Harry Fairleigh, who plays the young judge,
has fine barytone voice and punctuates the
action with some effective songs. He is
graceful and effective actor, too Marie
George, who plays the stroller's wife, is
clever and piquant little soubrette, who dances
| nimbly and Is handy at repartee. Her voice
| is rather harsh in the upper register, but
she does her full share of the entertaining
| Josie Dewitt as the ballet dancer and pseu-
do-princess, makes a pleasing picture and
sings we'll besides. The other roles are well
taken care of and the background is fur,
nished by an unusually large company The
chorus has evidently been selected by some
good judge of beauty, who has not forgotten
| the necessity for good voices and sprightly
ways. Its members betray frequent symp-
| toms of being interested and concerned in
what is going on in thefplay, instead of wor-s
| rying. as most choruses do, about what ef-
| feet their individual charms are having on
! the audience. Indeed, the entire production
| is marked by what the football critic calls
team work. Each participant, from star
! to humblest supernumerary, gives what aid
! he can to the general effect Mr.. Fairleign,
| for instance, is apparently convulsed by the
! jokes Of the comedians-which he must have
heard innumerable times. And the work of
no actor is featured to the detriment of an.
other.
The same care and attention has been be-
| slowed on the fetching costumes, the beauti-
full scenery and all the other thousand and
one details that go to make up finished
production In many respects 1.-THE Strollers''
is the best Of its kind that has visited Min
neapolis this year. The only speck on the.
apple is slight and occasional tendency to
vulgarity on the part of some OF the come
dians. w. B. Chamberlain.