The Minneapolis journal., 1903-12-28
AT THETTHEATERs
RlIou-nThe chaperons.n

The Chaperons," spelled without the
e, not because the N. E. A. has au-
thorized IT, but to avoid the thirteen letter
hoodoo, are at the Rijou this week. where
they bid fair to sing, smile and kick their
year or so ago at the Metropolitan. In the
line OF musical comedy,sor, as the program
has IT, comedy operaa' "The Chaperons"
Is the best thing seen at the Washington
avenue playhouse this season. Two large
audiences obviously well pleased with the
entertainment provided, crowded the thea
ter yesterday, and the piece promises to
have a lucrative week
Certain changes are to be noted in ''1'he
Chaperons' since its former visit to Min
neapolis. The cast Is practically new and
one or two new songs have taken the place
Of others used in the original production.
The old favorites, however, have, of
course, been retained and ''Sambo,''
We're All Good Fellows 1.-THE Little
Girl Who Couldn't Say No" and other well
known "Chaperon" ditties were received
vest terday with the same enthusiasm they
evoked when new. One Of the discarded
songs, Millinery Mary Ann, is too clever
a thing to be thus early consigned to OBJ
ilVlon, and might well be reinstated. Mi
nor changes have been made in one or two
OF the ensemble numbers and the chorus
OF artists models has disappeared from
the first act.
" SOuIoC. Lie NllapeTOnS mas a plOL,
but the plot is Of little Importance, and
is so .tenuous that it defies retelling in
little. That. however, is no drawback.
Plot and musical comedy have little in
common. The one is an adjunct Of melo-
drama; the other requires only witty Tyr
les, catchy music and clever people to in
terpret them to assure it's success. and
| these last "The Chaperons'' has in album
dance.
Mabel Hite has succeeded Eva Tanguay
IN the role of ''Phrosfa, the gur-r-L detec=
tive,' this season and, while Miss "Hite
| lacks. something of the indefatigability Of
her predecessor, she gives lis a sprighty
rendition OF the c1ara cter, its ecoentrici-
| ties modelled after the Tanguay original.
Her songs, "Samoo' and ::Billie Is Very
Good to Me- We're encored repea tedy and
her dancing served further to entrer1ch her
in popular favor
| May Boley is the walking delegate of the
Chaperons' union, with a walking dele
gates appreciation of the value Of money
| She can't sing and-for this relief much
| thanks--doesn't try to, but she can and
| does act the part and act it well. Gene
We've Day IS a dainty Violet Smilax and
| handles her song, ':He Winked at Me-
very we'll.
| Among the men, Arthur Earnest, the
| barytone of the company, has good voice
which is heard to advantage in the 'Good
Fellows song. John G.. Sparks is gen.
timely funny as O'Shaunnesy, and Harry
Ladell makes a palpable hit with his aero
| batic eccentricities. w. ". Struntz finds
the 'Low C'' song somewhat beyound him.
but this may be pardoned, as it would
require a deep sea diver to reach the note
indicated. Thomas Whiffen fails to make
anything of the characterFof Adam Hogg.
The chorus, particularly the male chorus,
is good; the costumings: effective and the
scenery adequate.
At Bijou prices ''The Chaperons' is a
bargain and so should appeal to devotees
of the SO cent slogan.
| Is E.E 81 s.'rG1J. S. Lawrence. -