The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-19
..The Runayays- mt EngIish's.

''The Runaways" ut EngIish's.
The best that can be said OF THE Run
Always" the musical extravaganza from
the New York Casino, which was presented
at English's last night, is that it is hand
some as a production. With Fay Temple
ton as it's star, II enjoyed an all-summer
run last year at the big playhouse on
Broadway. Without Fay Templeton it
would not have been good for a fortnight ;
engagement despite its fine scenic effects
and beautiful costuming. Much is forgiven
in a summer show upon the ground that in
hot weather inanity's the thing, but as it is
not hot weather in Indianapolis at the
present time, and as Fay Templeton is no
longer the bright. shining star of THE
Runaways," the Casino piece did not make
the terrific hit last night that it seems to
have made in the metropolis.
The lavish costuming of the young women
of the company is the one thing that stands
out most prominently in the show. There
were exhibited upon pretty girls during
the evening. dozens of gowns expen-
slye as the feminine heart could desire, and
the clothes were not OF the property sort
either. being really rich and gorgeous.
Feminine finery was the mainstay or the
performances; tunefulness and talent were
conspicuous by their absence. 1t IS true
that there was clever little comedian at
the head of the cast and several young
women who filled their parts acceptably,
but there were also a number or leading
parts in the hands of incompetent people.
Not that these parts could have been made
much OF even by players OF genius, but, at
least, they might have been saved from
becoming utterly idiotic.
Plot and continuity are not TO be expect
ed in the Broadway musical shows now
adays, and their absence is overlooked when
there is wit in the lines or funny situations
in the piece. But there is very little Wit In
The Runaways," and were 1t not for the
fact that the diminutive Arthur Dunn Is
naturally an amusing comedian the piece
would drag drearily throughout, despite Its
Kaleidoscope environment, and become a
very stupid sort of performance.
There are no really good singing voices
among the principals, but last night S
audience-an assembly of moderate proper
tions that was disposed to be friendly-did
not seem TO mind this shOrtcoming, and
applauded all of the musical numbers quite
heartily.
The story of ''The Runaways'' vas writ
ten by young man named Addison Burk-
hart-but let that pass. IL was his hrst
offense, and he may never do IL again
Besides he wrote il for a Philadelphia
audience-"The Runaways" had its initial
presentation in the Quaker City-and he
probably thought that anything would do.
The story of the piece will not be reviewed
here, as many who attended the perform
ance might object to having 1t brought up
again while those who didn't attend II
of it. The score of the piece was composed
by Raymond HuDbell. with numerous in
terpolated numbers by other song writer's
Mr.. Hubbell's work is somewhat better
than that of his librettist, but the extra
numbers are the songs that score the big
gest hits.
Arthur Dunn was the only humorous fig
ure of the performance; he achieved a per-
sonal success and kept the audience from
becoming bored altogether. His song, "a
Kiss for Each Day in the Week" in which
he was assisted by the six prettiest young
women of the company, proved to be the
Cleverest of the musical numbers. Helen
Lord did the best work among the women
of the cast, singing and acting her part
quite attractively and scoring something
of n hit with her 'Firehy'' song. Erminie
Earle appeared in the part that was taken
in New York by Fay TempletOn and al
though acting gracefully, her singing voice
not pleasing. The same criticism holds
good in the case of Mabel Carrier. Not
one of the men in the company, aside from
Mr. Dunn, showed talent either fun
maker or singer. THE Runaways' Was
booked for but the sinble performance and
this as il should have been.