The St. Louis Republic., 1902-05-05
'FL0R0D0RA," AS PRODUCED
BY THE ORIGINAL COMPANY.

This column has already asserted the
opinion that original companies are not all
ways best companies. and there has never
been better proof of this contention than
one finds in a comparison Of the two Flora
dora aggregations, the original of which is
now at the Olympic Theater. Don't fall
into the speedy conclusion that the organ
iZatlon that Is now singing at Mr.. Shorts
Broadway house is bad sort, for this is
not so. but It is not in all respects as good
as that which played earlier in the season
at the Century. and in some particulars it
is not so satisfactory. You will naturally
think, first Of all, of the sextette.
Your first impression Is that this famous
number. the best-concerted thing Of the
sort In all comic opera, is not so well done
by this original company. After you watch
it while you may reach the generous con-
clusion that you don't care for It SO much
for the reason that you are beginning to tire
OF the thing that was new to the eye and ear
when 1t came to town months ago. How
ever all this may be, you are not 50 well
pleased as You were when the famous
twelve danced in and out at the Century
Then one gets around to the part played
by Miss Isadore Rush. Whatever one may
say OF Miss Rush, she puts a bunch Of
work into whatever she does. and this work
always commands the attention that means
approval.
Miss Edna Wallace Hopper, a much
written about and longtime favorite has
the part in the peresent company Miss
Hopper is very pretty and very bright in
the part. but she doesn't fill it out as Miss
Rush did. She is begowned and bejeweled
most charmngly. but she Is not as much
Of a force as Miss Rush. Miss Redmond is
very handsome in her large way, and more
successfully than most singers she has the
knack Of looking interested while young
man sings love song to her for the eight
hundredth time. Mr.. Herman Is not as
funny ALI Whelan nor is Miss Lowry
more than simply pretty in the part of the
daughter r. E. Graham in his Chauncey
Depew makeup Is a capital Gilfain, and
Mr.. Scott and Mr.. Carleton are continue
ally excellent. gentleman who has much
to do with the success of the piece is Mr..
Cyril Gordon Weld. who has conducted the
orchestra ever since the opening night at
the Casino Theater. November L. 1900.
II Leslie Stuart's father had had his way
the young man who set the world to hum
ming and whistling Tell Ne. Pretty Maid
en- would have been a cabinet maker in
stead OF a composer. The elder Stuart was
a cabinet maker and in the natural course
OF events felt that the paternal calling was
good enough for his offspring. 30 he ap-
prenticed young Leslie to friend Of his.
with instructions to be firm with the boy
and make him work But young Stuart had
QlnereHt IDEAS he aIlSn0eQ the tnedler =
few times and became smitten with the
stage. Incidentally he had musical ability
and every spare minute OF MS time was
drumming away at the family piano. Ono
day he composed song. took 1t to music
hall manager and ii was accepted. Then he
decided that cabinet making was not for
him and after a stormy session with his
father threw up the Job" stuck to music
and became quite a factor in the circles OF
London where the best class Of music is
fostered owen Hall wrote the book Of
"F'lorodora' read 1t to Mr. Stuart who
agreed to furnish the lyric setting.
Dangerous Women" a new melodrama
by F. A. Scudamore, began the week at
Havin's. The scenes are laid in and around
a city wherein the chances for picturing
interesting phases OF human nature are
utilized. A stirring story is outlined, the
central characters being lovable woman
and an adventures. The gentle DISPOSE
ton of the heroine Is contrasted with ths
wiles of the woman of the world. Through
cwo acts the schemers have the best of sew
eral exciting situations. In the end, how
ever. right triumphs and happiness comes
10 the girl who has suffered. Elizabeth Ba-
ker impersonates the heroine very sweetly.
Anna Richer appears as the adventures.
Leighton Leigh. a painstaking actor, plays
the young hero.
The Imperial Burlesquers. Harry VIII
liamss show, is the new offering at the
Standard. The playlets Our Lady" and
ION TO the Front" open and close the pro-
gramme. Our Lady" introduces some fast
music fanciful costumes and special seem
cry, with a large chorus in songs and
dances. "On to the Front is military
travesty. The olio includes Darmody and
Coreno. acrobats, jugglers and hoop rollers:
Barton and Ashley in their original Canal
Boat Sar' sketch: Cain and Tenbrooke,
TESTERS Blanche Newcomb. ballad singer. the
cancing duo. Mcbride and Goodrich. and
Harry Stewart. the Hebrew impersOnator.