Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-06
IS IN TOWN
Hans Wagner, Cincinnati Brew.
er, Passing as Member
of Royalty.
IN OPERA AT ILLINOIS THEATRE
Henry w. Savage's Splendid Pro-
ductiOn to BE Seen Here
Tonight.

No stronger recommendation could
be offered, in commencing a musical
comedy to the public than the mere
announcement that Henry w. Savage
is the producer. "The Prince of Pill
SEN which will GENE to the Illinois
tonight, is one of Mr.. Savage's latest
offerings. 1t ran through nineteen
weeks, which were phenomenally sue
cessful, in Boston, and enjoyed ten
weeks of unprecedented prosperity in
Chicago. The Chicago engagement
would not have been brought to a
close for many weeks to cclne had
not the Castle Square Grand Opera
company been booked to open for two
months run at the Studebaker. In
the new piece it is declared that Mr..
Savage has found the most generous
opportunity for the exploitation of
his pet theory. the lavish embellish-
ment of whatever stage offering to
which he attaches his name. The To-
cation of the piece. at natures most
favored resort-Nice-oR the shores
of the blue Mediterranean. at the sea-
son of the fete of fiowers-would
seem to be designed especially to give
full sway to the scene painted and COS
tune designer. and the opportunity
has been grasPed by Mr.. Savage to
put forth his best efforts. and he has
provided an environment for the
Prince" that surrakses anything of
the kiRl ever Witnessed in America.
Tire authors Of "The Prince of Pill
SEN, Frank PiXley and Gustav LIlders.
are already well known to theatre
goers, as all of their pieces have been
successful wherever played. The au-
thors of king Dodo'' have in The
Prince Of Pilsen" written what has
been declared by the united y esS of
Boston and Chicago to be the most
pleasing musical comedy ever pro-
dJcCd in America. One Of the most !
commeudabe things that PiNley |
and LudeTs Eave dome i'm the CON
struction of the new play was to sup |
ply a perfectly same and tangible plot |
through w1ls:Ch to weave the many in
gonious situations and telling climax |
es for which the opera is noted. The |
story is as follows: Hans Wagner, an
American brewer travelling abroad. |
hands in Nice during the progress of |
the flower festival. On the day of his |
in the festivities of the occasion. are
expecting the prince of Pilsen, to |
fTj1ror them with his presence. Wag |
ner with his daughter Steps from the
train and is mistaken for the prince |
He is simple minded German, and |
accepts the demonstration of well |
come as a testimonial of his greatness |
as a brewer of Pilsner beer. Present
Iy the real prince of PiFsCn arrives,
but no one pays amy attention to him. |
He is at Il loss to account for this |
treatment until he learns that an inn
poster is using his name. Being of |
philosophical turn OF mind he decides
40 keep his identity Il secret i'm order
to see what the impostor Will do. He |
soon learn; that Wagner is only "a
Igar1nIess hlunderer who has an eX-
cee6Iingly pretty daughter. So the
prince does the natural thing-falls III
love with the daughter, asks her to |
marry linn and is accepted. The p!ot
is not lost sight Of during any time of
the action of the piece-a rather UNI
usual thing for modern musical com
edies Mr.. Savage secured the |
best Ia Rent when he selected the cast |
for The Prince of Pilsem.' The Lead |
ing feminine role is played by Miss |
Dorothy Merton. Another talented |
member of the cast is Lillian Coleman,
who plays the part of Nellie Wagner,
the daughter of the Cincinnati brew
er. Anne LIGHTER as Edith Adams, a
NsisSar girl, is one of the mosit stun
ming women ON the stage. Few SOU
brettes are so well known as Jeanette
Bageard, who is a pleasing picture
dressed as a little bell boy. The prince
of Pilsen is played by Arthur Donald |
son, who is handsome, has good |
voice, and is n clever actor. The part |
of Hans Wagner is very funny in the
hnands of John w. Ransone; Sherman
Wade receives MANY laughs as the &C.
centric waiter. Harold Crane makes a
gallant naval officer, and Edward Nor
ton has n good part as an Eng
lish lord There are dozens of pretty |
girls. American girls, sea shell girls,
bathing girls, golf girls, etc.
julie Walters Latest.
julie Walters presents his new
scenic comedy drama, just Struck
Town at the Illinois Sunday night.