The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-11
In the ThedterS
To-Day's Schedule.


ENGLISH's.-"Thes Silver Slipper" sos
GRAND.-High-class vaudeville, and s
PARK.-"Only a Shop Girl" and D. m.
EMPIRE.-Burlesque, and D. m.
Notwithstanding and p. m.
"The Silver Slipper" at the English.
When THE Silver Slipper was presented
In New York last season, and afterward in
Atlantic City for summers run, it had
the advantage of being interpreted by a
big company Of first-class people, and was
put on the stage in such lavish fashion by
Fisher q Ryley that its shortcomings in
the way of a mediocre libertto We're over
looked. 1t would seem that Fasteners are
in the habit of overlooking poorly prepared
llbrettos nowadays, so long as they may
feast their eyes on pretty girls in extrava-
CANT costumes, and listen to music that has
a pleasing Jingle TO ii. Out this way-"in
the provinces, as the Broadway regulars
would put it-theater-goers are supposed to
De unable TO distinguish the difference be-
tween high-class company and one that
is to be truthfully described as a second
rater. Fisher Ryley sent couple of
'Florodora' organizations of doubtful abil-
| lty TO DO the cities of the good-natured
midwest, and now these money-making
theatrical magnates-who can produce
| musical comedies on a gorgeous scale when
| they have mind to do so-have wrapped
| up another prize package to be sent to
the provinces"-a package marked first
| class matter, but which proves to be
| something else when opened for examina-
| ton.
The Silver Slipper began its first en-
| gagement In indianapolis at English's yes
terday: There was matinee which drew
a really fine crowd, and an evening per-
torrance that drew an audience OF good
size. The local theater-goers were hoping
10 witness another "Florodora," but they
were doomed TO isappointment-both as TO
the musical comedy itself and the com
| pany that presented it, From musical
standpoint the piece is not without merit
There is every variety Of tune in the score
| by Leslie Stuart and some of the melodies
are Jingling enough to start the feet agoing
ana the galleryltes a-whistling. Some of
| the leading members of the cast are fully
| up TO requirements, and no blame can be
| snl1ted upon their shoulders for the lack
OF 0i merit in the performance. A better
| nbretto was to have been expected of Owen
| Hall, and better chorus and handsomer
stage settings were to have been expected
OK FIsher q Ryley: The setting for the
| street fair setting in the second act calls
| TO mind the so-called 'burlettas" in the
cheaper theaters, with their shabby, hand
| me-doWn' equipments.
Mr.. Hail. who wrote the book is the
| young Englishman who turned out the
clever Ibrettos OF "Florodora," '"The Art
eessful musical pieces. His work in this
| instance is far from being on a par with
| that OF his co-worker, Mr.. Stuart His
| theme is whimsically humorous but is very
| poorly handled, and the story is foolishly
| disconnected. The plot. which promises
well at the start. is relegated to the back
| relevancy of which is apparently given no
| consideration. There is no call for repeat
| ing the story of the THE Silver Slipper
| interesting.
There are several specialties introduced
that are really enjoyable, and which met
enee being only too delighted to find some
| thing worth while. The Champagne
Dance is genuine novelty. 1t starts off
| with the bubbling briskness of a newlv-
| opened bottle of Mumm's and there is no
| diminishment of the excitement until the
last strains of the musical accompaniment
| are sounded. The fine dancing girls, who
| perform it. are capable opponents of
terpsicheorean art and the gowns they
wear are pretty, creations" Another
is the right one-is the song, -Four and
| Twelve Little Men, which by the way
was -Four and Twenty Little Men in the
original production. The men sit in row
on gided chairs, running diagonally across
| the stage. and Gertrude Millington renders
the ditty very daintily. Other bright num-
bers are 1.-TWO Eyes of Blue" you and
| Me," THE Baby With the Dimple and the
| Smile and THE Girl You Love-" and all
| of these are well sung.
| Gertrude Millington carries the greater
| burden of the piece on her little dimpled
| shoulders. Without her the entertainment
| would be dreary one. She is winsome
| soubrette, graceful and pretty, and her
| voice, while not that of prima DONNA is
very pleasing. The best part of the score
| falls to her lot, and this is a mighty good
| thing for the present company. She wears
| boys clothes in a most charming fashion,
| and her performance. a whole Is praise
| worthy. Thomas ]. Keough, the comedian
| OF the show, has a hard time getting any
| fun out of the poor material provided but
his work suggests that he could do much
| better in a good part. The character of a
| cOckney maid is well portrayed by Virginia
! Palmer, whose dialect is well-nigh perfect
and who deserves more applause than she
received last night for her rendition of the
song Glass" Harry d. Bursher possesses
a good baritone voice and Horace Wright
is tenor OF ability, but neither of these
| leading male singers is actor enough to play
| his part effectively. The other principal
| members Of the organization are not equal
| TO the demands of their parts and the cho-
| rus is not efficient, the music director Max
| Whine. finding il rather difficult, apparent
| ly. TO keep the voices with the instrument
| tation during some of the concerted num-
| bers.
1.-The Silver Slipper will be given for the
| last time here this evening.
| Theatrical Notes.
In presenting THE spenders," William H.