The St. Louis Republic., 1902-09-08

Imperialism and colonialism were ram
pant at the seasons opening of the Olympic
last night but 1t was Imperialism and
colonialism of the George AIDE variety. anc
even the "ass;milated'' Sultan Of Sulu
seemed to like il. AS for the audience. that
intelligent body was in a gale OF laughter
and applause for two good hours.
Aside from the fact that the production
was distinguished by reason Of George AIDES
overwhelmingly funny lines. and because II
is the first comic opera fling at Uncle Sans
worid-power, you must REMEMBER that
Maud Lillian Berri. Gertrude Quinlan
Frank MSnlan and certain other of MT
Henry W. Savage's clever Castle Square
people again made their bows to ST LOUIS
audience And you don't want TO miss the
significance OF Maud Lillian Berri,s OUT
blossoming-she has become the most raw
ishinrly enticing prima donna that one
could wish to see In seasons march, II
the sensation of the production
There's no use trying to analyZe The Sui
tan of Sulu" Given the fact that the United
States Government now owns strange ana
wild peoples over there In the Orient, and
that General John c. Bates, U. s. A, really
found and had certain picturesque dealings
with a bonafide Sultan of Sulu. and that
George Ade. one happy day. saw the hum
orous possibilities OF the situation and sat
him down TO evolve a comic opera out OF IL
all-and there you are.
It's Just what you might expect OF George
Ade. and a Sultan OF Sulu. with American
soldiers in khaki. Old Glory flying in far
Asia and a whole menagerie of comical
Maiays mixed up in an American-Asiatic
plot Honestly it's the best thing we've
gotten out of the Philippines yet. and al
most reconciles one to the S0.eoo0oO We blew
in for the archipelago
Moulan, l think. Is destined to make his
best hit as the Sultan of Sulu. He seems 10
have the richest appreciation OF the low
comedy possibilities OF the part. and he has
embellished IL with any number of side
splitting Moulanisms Of gesture. expression,
movement and makeup.
The plot gives him unlimited opportunity
its a plot showing how We took charge
of the Sultan and his harem and made him
Governor instead OF Sultan. and divorced
him from his wives and taught him the de-
lights OF the American cocktail with
cherry in it,
The Sultan, naturally. Is in the center of
the stage most all the time. and there's al
ways 4 laugh where he Is. Moulan has the
chance Of a lifetime
The music is weak in spots and catch
ingly melodious in many other spots.
when | First Met You will be whistled
all over St. Louis before the week is ended.
The quaint song, with its quainter refrain.
Ten Little Gentlemen From Spooney-
town" will run a close second for popu-
larity and Gertrude ouinlan's amusingly
Oriental ballad, My Sulu Lulu Loo" can't
fail TO make n hit.
There are other good songs. too and some
of the choruses, especially that where Old
Glory is run up over the dominions of the
Sultan. are stirring. All In all, think the
music will go. light and sometimes tin
panny as IL is.
The principals are lucky in the parts as
signed to them. Maud Lillian Berri has
had more ambitious roles than that of Hen
rietta Budd the Coloners daughter. but
none that suited her better, especially
since she has so distinctly developed into
a comic opera star something or the LII
Ian Russell order.
Pert little Gertrude Qu,nlan is at home in
the part Of Chiquita. favorite wife of the
Sultan OF Frank Moulan ! have already
spoken. and I'd like to say right here that
Mr. Fred Frear. as Hadji Tantong. the Sui
tan's private secretary. IL almost as funny
as MouIan himself The Colonel jefferson
Budd OF Arkansas; volunteer and politician.