The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-10
ADJUSTMENTS
"The Sultan o. suIu't al; the MetropoIita

!, LII Ie1SISLlce 70 SCdIl IL ne u
fall down. he'd be half way home"--this
was butsone of many hints; last night, a
the Metropolitan opera-house, that George
AIDE of "Fables in Slang fame Hlibrettist
Of 1.-THE Sultan of Sulu,,' might have be-
come funnier. if less famous, had he never
written slang. One does not have to be
an office boy to find the sultan more
amusing than any American, comic opera,
or musical comedy produced in recent
years.. And If the score is not equal to
the book, Alfred G.. Wathall has composed
many songs that are notably "catching.'
How much this success may be due to
superior company, only the first rehearsal
could have demonstrated. '-.......
1t is to- the credit OF the Chicago hu-
morist that he has taken Gilbert as his
master in libretto. Thus Mr., AIDE has es-
capped various vices Of the -libretto hacks
from Broadway. He has secured ample
merriment outside of bar rooms, smoking
cars and grand stands. He has not found
sporting life'' the drollest thing that
the world knows. Puns, he has discov-
cred, are too cheap and easy to be COM
zeal, and indecencY is not essential to loud
laughter, Il. He and his colloborators have
agreed that scintillant scenery and gaudy
gowns are unsatisfying substitutes for
humor and for melody.
He had succeeded, with a few excep-
tons In stunning these obvious, if pop
ular defects. He has provided for his hu-
NOR a. substantial basis Of sense. He has
made of anti Imperialism in the Philip
pines theme diverting to any American,
regardless Of his politics. When Sultan
Kt-Ram and his little isle" are captured
by the American volunteers and regulars,
the limitations Of the "partly free from
Ger the sea" are contrasted with the free
dom of a despot's subjects. The struggles
of HIRAM in divorcing, according to
American law, seven of his eight wives,
are ended when the supreme Tcourt at
Washington decides that the constitu-
ton follows the flag, ON Tuesdays, Thurs
days and Saturdays, only" J. - =" .':"'
Mr.. AIDES lyrics are Oddly uneven.
With f1uency Of rhyme quite Gilbertian.
he has joined lines of delicious quaintness
in pure English to- Vapid street talk no
better than the average Chicago ''opera."
This, is prominent in the quintette, "Ten
Little Gentlemen" which, resembling his
fable, 'Fastidious Fanny" is presumably
by Mr.. AIDE, although not in the original
book The dainty melody and the pleas
antly childish conceit are mpttled with
slang Otherwise the song might rise to
the high level Of taste fixed by the English
school in ''Florodora'f and 'SThe- Geisha::"
The quintette;,s nevertheless,# completes
deed, upon J. the, whole, Mr.. AIDE seems
likely to become. with practice thesmost
worthy of American HbrettistA :
Lack of originality, as wasft TO be ex-
pected, is the Important fault of Mr.. Wat
halls music: Butt 1T S a. fault he. shares with
nearly all his American rivals. Il Writing
for musical com dyi- lie can11otsbe held te
proper. I. But his songs and hcheruses are
always agreeable, a.ff4w of them are very
pretty, and more than one Will oveItax the
local pianos. 80 ~, 49,.
At the van of the admirable company
comes, with semicircular smile, Frank
Moulan, the KiRam p comedian far out.
ranking many better known. It Is doubt
full if, the best of them could more di.
vertingly unbend a face from grief to gai-
| ETY. or create more jovial antics without
recourse to horseplay or vulgarity. His In.
| telligible enunciation added value to his
| topical songs.
l.. Miss Maud Lillian Berri formerly of the
fsff'Princess Chic" company, hasa delight
| full, if somewhat thin sopraro,s and gins
| cluded an :exquisite mermaid costume
! among the attra ctions of her "Carmena'
solo, She played the colonel's daughter
Her strenuous love making was a lesson
| to all willing learners.
Miss Gertrude Quinlan, the soubrette-
| Chiquita, Wife No. Twas warmly well
coined as a favorite with former com
panies, but in her present role she may
we'll cherish a past.
| Tenplar Sake, as Lieutenant Hardy, cot
the regulars, proved an applauded hero.
! His frank cOuntenance and sympathetic
barytone voice made his solo, IF I But
Knew" one of the particular pleasures :ot
| the score.
81 The ladies, especially the fetching
blondes of the school ma ann quartet, in.
%eludedaa big majority of young and win
some t.show girls that could sing: The
4 Hh0riSfarc h t.
AS the oriental subject would presume
! the scenery was excellent, the costumes
| various and alluring ,~.>...
III r Curry