New-York tribune., 1904-10-21
THE DRAMA.
"HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY."
Weber Music Hall.

When the curtain rose last night on Exhibit A"
(Which is Act y at the refurnished music hall in
Broadway where for so many years Weber and
Fields dispensed phrases for the enrichment Of the
popular vocabulary It in the darkness which
precedes the dawn, and only naked peak stood
up the back drop into the rosy light. Some said
this the Weberfrau others the Nomatterhorn;
but no one doubted 1t of the Alps
could doubt it's family resemblance TO advertise
ment. for Swiss milk chocolate. Presently the
rose and the cast woke up and came forth to greet
the morn. And slowly they became more and more
animated until the audience rubbed it's eyes and
realized that Joseph Weber, though he has had to
seek fields and pastures new, is by no means the
half team it was predicted he would be on that
account, that he has been able to reassemble a
company. refurblsh old half. and put for
ward lively and entertaining show
The book of ''Higgledy- -Piggledy'' is by Edgar
Smith-there has been change in that respect;
the music is by Maurice Levi. Both answer their
purpose, though each leaves something to be de-
sired; the book though it has coherent story
than often the case in past years, has less
raciness of idom and less humorous lyrics and the
music. though often tunefuI, is often recogniz-
able-oId friends appearing In new keys. But both
are adapted to the needs of the various players
who make up Mr. Webers new company and that
is much. 1t might at first blush, for Instance.
hard to get Anna Held and Marie Dressler into
the same gown the play.
And speaking of Miss Dressler, why not be honest
and confess at that speak Of Miss Dressler
is to speak Of the firm foundation which the
new piece rests? There was Miss Held who sang
and used her eyes. and showed some wonderful
gowns and Charles A Bigelow, who exhibited his
hair: and Harry Morris, who tried with poor sue
cess to I'LL Fields shoes as a dalectic partner for
Weber; and Weber himself. of course; and Aubrey
Boucicault, who seemed not wholly in the picture
to say the least; and Aimee Angels and Bonnie
Maginn who seemed very much In 1t. But none
OF them were in sight when Miss Dressler Ioomed
the stage. Her song, "a Great Big Girl Like
Me-" was the song Of the evening; her parody of
a grand operatio finale brought down the first
curtain amid roars of laughter; and her reading
Of will TO Weber and Morris brought that scene
up to the high water mark OF the old WeberheId
nonsense But Miss Dressler not allowed to be
on stage all the time. little of Miss Dresser
goes a long way. The management knew this and
acted with commendable adherence to their con-
victions.
The costumes which have been provided, both for
the principals and the large attractive chorus
OF great richness and color, and George Marion
(whom Mr.. Savage loaned" to stage the produc-
tiOn) has woven them into stage pictures and
groupings with his accustomed skill A curious
novelty won much applause-a dance by eight girls
who carried themselves in baskets. The illusion
remarkably deceptive. and will doubtless be
copied extensively, TILL like the sextet 1t dies by
dint Of repetition.
There was large and typical first night audience
on hand rather critical eyen skeptical but agree
ably disappointed And In the face of this audience
Mr. Bigeow sang song. with the refrain, I'm so
lonesome" narrating the fate Of a man named
Cassidy who went for the summer 10 Arverne!
Broadway hailed him as a hero.