The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-17
CAST OF CHARACTERS.
Funny. Funnier. Funniest.

Funny Funnier. Funniest.
These three words contain, in a nut
shell, the only possible criticism on The
Explorers" the vaudeville melange which
was given its first presentation in st.
Paul at the Metropolitan opera house
last night, and which scored the hit of
the season.
The authors of the piece have disarmed
criticism by their frank avowal that the
play is neither a comic opera nor an OPP
cratic comedy They state plainly and
urequivocally that their creation is moth
ing more nor less than a series of top
notch vaudeville turns, strung together
by a plct that is too tenuous to be taken
cogniZance Of. In making this statement
the authors of the piece have stamped
themselves as veracious to a degree that
is rare in this twentieth century For
aSSuredly, they have told the truth and
nothing but the truth. Their creation has
neither Wit nor wisdom, but it is mirth-
provoking. and that, in the opinion of
the theatergoer, is more than sufficient
to atone for a multitude of sins in the
matter of construction and arrangement
1t is pleasure for the critic to record
that the book and lyrics were written
by one of the brightest OF newspaper
men, Mr. Bert Lesion Taylor, better
known as the Linotype Mar" of the
chicago Tribune. Mr.. Taylor has departed
from the conventional operate com
edy lines in supplying the book and lyrics
for his piece, and he has been ably sec
onded by Mr.. Walter II. Lewis, VINO has
supplied the music. Both are original
ana praiseworthy, and the combined eff
Tort or the two has resulted in the pruduc-
ton OF a 'nelange of mirth and melody
that has no Superiors and but few EQUALS
1t would be unfair to compare it with
other operate productions, since it is
SUI generis, and bears no resemblance to
the ordinary musical entertainment AS
was stated at the beginning of lnis re-
view, 1t is simply the funniest thing go
ing, and that is all there is to it.
Last nights audience was not as large
as 1t should have been Doubtless the
weather was potent factor in keeping
down the attendance, but it is indi.put-
able that, If the people of the eity mad
been aware of the feast of fun that was
In store for them, the theater would have
been packed to it's capacity. Nothing so
purely and genuinely funny has been
seen here for, 10! these many moons
4hose who heard it last night will be
witnesses to this, and they proved it by
recalling everyone who had a part thar
was at all prominent, and by Insisting
mat they keep coming back until from
sheer WEAKNESS, they We're compelled to
desist. As a finale the audience refused
-
curtain was rung down, until the play
ers including the members Of the
chorus, came before the footiights and
bowed their acknowIedg ements.
" course, the bulk Of The work fails
upon Mr. Richard earle, Mr.. Knox vii.
SON Miss Ruth White, Miss Agnes Paul
and Mr. William Riley Hatch. Of these
MI Garlic and Miss White must be given
1:rst mention, not because they over
SHADOW Mr.. Wilson and Miss PauI hut
simply because their parts make if nee
essary for them to dominate the stage
Mr. Carrie is an artist of the first rank
ana all Of his work is as clean cut as
cameo He is a comedian par ex-
ceLence. aid he demonstrated this last
night to the entire satisfaction of every
one IN the house His methods are naf-
ufal ana convincing, and they are height
ened by the ease of manner and a facil-
lty OF expression that are both effective
ana unusual Mr.. Wilson has been seen