The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-20


"a Country Girl" typical English
musical comedy, enjoyed run in London
of over year and was hailed by the
British playgoers as delightful entertain
ment. THE Prince of Pilsen,' a typical
American musical comedy, was produced
in London last Saturday night and, &C
cording to the cabled reports, was pro-
nounced a failure. Comparisons may be
odious but they often inevitable, and
last night at English's during the perform
ance of "A Country Girl dts only presen-
tation in Indianapolis) the thought must
have occurred to more than one well-in-
formed theater-goer that there is a vast
difference between the points of view of
English and American audiences. The mu-
sical comedy from London, as given here
by capable company. proved to be accept
able on account of its musical score-and
for that alone. Lionel Moncktons music
is tuneful throughout and at times very
catchy" In some few instances the lyrics
of Adrian Ross, Percy Greenbank and Paul
Rubens are quite clever. But the book of
the piece, written by James t. Tanner, is
abSurdly inconsistent, even for comic
opera, and, for the most part, wonderful
~ and appallingly stupid.
The company which appeared at english
last night was wholly competent, with one
or two minor exceptions, and If the comedy
dragged from time to time the fault did
not lie with the players. The audience was
big and optimistically enthusiastic. The
encore fiends" were out in full force, ap-
plaudlng anything and everything until
they became a nuisance and had to be
squelched by those people In the theater
who did not care to have the performance
drawn out until midnight. The chorus was
well drilled and its members possessed
good strong voices, but the feminine con-
tingent contained a disheartening array of
sad-faced girls who looked as if they might
have been singing at a funeral instead
just notice the difference between the
chorus of last night and the jolly crowd
with THE Tenderfoot," when that hilarious
piece comes back to town tomorrow for
matinee and evening performances. 1.-THE
Tenderfoot' chorus girls inject life and
spirit into their work; the girls of last
evenings production, although good vocal
iSts loafed YEARLY through their three
hours on the stage.
The Individual hit of the evening va
scored by Clarence Harvey. In the char
acter of the facetiouS, glib and maSquerad-
growing intensely dull by the cleverneSs of
his comedy methods. He sang his songs in
comic style, too. and otherwise did much
toward redeeming the performance. Mel
Vile Stewart was a STACEY Geoffry Chal-
lanor but his fine baritone voice more than
made up for this fault, his solo in the Sec
ond act being given in excellent fashion.
Hallen Mostyn, last seen in indianapolis
with Anna Held as a jolly tar, portrayed
the lazy Rajah of Bocng in a truly humor-
Gus manner, getting all of the fun possible
out of the part. Alice Mailyn made a
charming Nan. pretty of face. attractive of
figure and graceful IN movement. She was
good both dramatically and vocally. Julia
Willard sang the part of Marjorie Joy bet
ter than she acted it, Her voice is a sweet
soprano, not veryrstrong, but very pleasing
in quality. Miss Deyo won much favor in
the role of Sophie. playing her part with
spirit and dancing in fascinating way.
The mezzo-sopfano voice of Genevieve Fin
lay was heard to advantage in the char
acter of the Princess of Bhong. and her
makeup of that Oriental lady was good
Isobel Yates. who in private life is the
daughter-in-law of John Brisbane Walker.
editor of the Cosmopolitan Magazine, APP
peared as a London queen of fashion. and
she looked every inch the part. She had
but little TO do with the action of the COM
edy, but her presence was glorious. She is
indeed beautiful woman. The smaller
parts were all adequately filled. with one
exception.
When all is said and done. "a Country
Girl suffers I'm comparison with several
American-made musical pieces that might
be mentioned-"Dollie Warden" for instance
and the wonder of ii all is that it should
have enjoyed such prosperity in this coun-
try