The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-11

Familiar and tuneful "Florodora' came
back to town last night for a short stay at
English's and entertained an audience of
good proportions. 1t is safe to say that
to at least two-thirds of the spectators
present the musical gems of this delightful
operatic comedy appealed as old friends
while the remaining third was not unac-
quainted with most of the melodies which
have been played in drawing rooms all
over the city and whistled on the streets
during the last two years. The good old
standby received quite a warm welcome.
Nearly all of the catchy numbers were
encored. while the Tell Me Pretty Mai
den'' song-the very whistling of which
nowadays makes the offender the recipient
OF suspicious glances-was demanded over
and over again, and the audience finally
ceased showing It's approval with seeming
reluctance. IL Is wonderful how that
much-abused sextet music sticks fast to
popularity. 1t has stood the wear and
tear of constant rendition by four "Floro-
dora" road companies; Ii has been played
vaudeville musical artists" who have
beaten out It's melody on sleighbells, tin
cans and anything else that could be made
10 produce a supposedly musical sound; IL
has even been rendered as a solo on a
trombone (the worst thing that could pos
sibly happen to it), and still II lives to call
tured audiencei
II the music of "Florodora' was familiar
last night the people In the cast were not
seeing different GiIfains and different LADY
Holyroods and different Doloreses and diff
ferent pretty maidens every time the show
for "Florodora" is essentially show
makes its appearance here In Indianapolis
Local theatergoers have about come to the
conclusion that Messrs. Fisher and Ryley
the managers of the production, pursue the
mol hot nf inc aArg,- -
The Arabian Nights" II will be remem-
bered that the king took unto himself a
bride one day and quietly got rid of her the
twice in "Florodora" show. What be-
comes OF them all. anyway? This thing
should be investigated by the authorities
still playing Gilfain i'm the original COM
pany. which leads one to suspect that Gra-
ham may be in the conspiracy himself, as
an accomplfce.
The present interpreters of the piece at
Englishs cannot be said to form a note
worthy organization, although most of the
principals In the cast give fairly salts
factory performances of the roles allotted
them. The fact that several OF the lead
ing singers are suffering with colds natur-
ally has much TO do with the weakness of
The honors are divided among Anna Boyd
as Lady Holyrood. j. A. Wallerstedt as
Frank Abercoed and Budd Ross in the COM
sing their roles In good style, especially Mr..
Wallerstedt. whose voice is OF excellent bar
itone quality, and Mr.. Ross makes the most
or rather poor opportunities. 1t takes a
pretty good comedian TO get any fun at all
out of this typically English idea of what
funny stage character should be, and Mr..
Ross deserves credit for keeping Tweedle-
punch from being wholly stupid Miss Boyd
makes quite favorable impression in her
part. although her enunciation Is not al
ways clear In her musical numbers. Karl
Stahl, as Gilfain acts his part well but
sings IL miserably. However. as his voice
was apparently I'm poor condition from
hoarsencss 1t Is hardly fair to Judge his
vocal work from last nights performance.
M. ]. Smith. who takes the role OF Capt
Arthur Donegal. has pleasing voice, and
Is a graceful dancer. but he rattles through
have them delivered as quickly as possible,
regardless of effect. The Spanish girl. Do
lOres. appears In a new guise with this
company. The character was originally in
tended to be a spirited one. and has al
ways been imperSonated heretofore by sing
ers like Helen Redmond. dark haired and
with full rich voices. Miss Louise Moore.
a pronounced blonde. Is playing the part
with this company. She possesses a small,
sweet voice. which is much out OF keep
Ing with the character as her personal ap-
pearance. She Is not at all success i'm a
role OF this sort. Miss Lillian Spencer ap-
pears as Angela and fails TO get much
out OF the part as she might. her solo in the
second act. THE Fellow Who Might"-a
dainty little gem that always used to be
good Tor three or four encores-being given
a colOrless rendition that falls rather fiat.
The six Pretty Maidens and Their Six
and handsome young men, and their share
OF the entertainment Is praiseworthy The
piece Is staged in "A liberal manner and the
chorus Is up 10 all requirements. "Floro-
dora" will be repeated at the matinee this
afternoon and will have its final perform
suee here this evening