The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-07

In ''The Sultan OF sulu" at Englishs.
@7HE week will open tomorrow
night at Englishs with George
AIDES operatic comedy, THE Sui
IlTlIaf tan Of Sulu," which comes back
- to indianapolis for an engage
ment of two nights. From almost any
point Of view this merry entertainment APP
proaches the extraordinary. The book Of
George AIDE has a wealth of keen satire, and
the music Of Alfred g. Wathall is tuneful
in the extreme. This musical show scored
q great hit in indianapolis when seen here
early in its career. and there is every
reason TO expect another very successful
engagement. The story OF the piece is quite
out Of the beaten track of comic opera
liDrettos. The Indiana humorist found ma
.terial for his satire in the conditions that
existed in the Philippines after the pur-
chase by the United States OF the little ISL
and of Sulu, or Jolo.
In this operate comedy XII Ram, the Sui
tan, has recently invaded the territory of
one Of the chieftains or "dattos" and cap
tured a bevy of that datto's pretty nieces
10 add to mis- royal harem. This annOys the
datto who plans to attack XII Ram. recap
ture the young women, and carve the little
monarch into small red cubes. The arrival Of
United States battleship loaded with ma
rines, soldiers and party of pretty school
teachers from Boston, enables the Sultan
to secure the protection OF the American
flag. He Is introduced TO various Ameri-
can customs, including the drinking of the
cocktail, and his limitations and the effect
the new condition OF things has on him pro-
vide many very funny scenes.
The song hits in The Sultan of Sulu'
are many, and are introduced in the opera
IN a natural way and scattered pleasantly
through the two acts. The chorus of at
tractive girls is a great feature and, like
all OF the Henry w. Savage productions,
the piece is staged in lavish style Frank
Moulan. the original sultan OF Sulu, is back
in the cast. He left the company at the be-
ginning of the season to play the leading
part in another opera but after an uneasy
time of II. returned to his first love- and is
now renewing his old-time success as the
merry little monarch. Many of the other
comedians and singers who were in the
original cast are still filling their old parts,
the principals. besides Mr.. Moulan, being
Cheridah Simpson, Gertrude Quinlan, Fred
Frear, Walter Lawrence, Blanche Chap
man. Helen Tomlinson, Melville Collins
George O'Donnel, John j. Fogerty and
Following 1.-THE Sultan of Sulu'' Indian
apolis will have its first opportunity to en-
joy another big English comedy-"The Sill
Yer Slipper" which had a highly success
full run through last season in the Eastern
cities. 1t will be at English's Wednesday
and Thursday nights, with a Wednesday
matinee. This musical piece is by the au-
thors OF "FlOrodora.' Owen Hall being re-
sponsible for the book, Leslie Stuart for the
music and w. II. Risque for the lyrics. 1t
IS a prologue, two acts and three scenes,
and unlike most musical plays, has a gen.
uine story TO tell-or, at least, so declares
the irrepressible press agent. This story
deals with an inquisitive young woman on
the planet Venus, who, when caught in the
act OF peeping down at this wicked world,
petulantly kicks off her slipper over the
edge OF her star into space. For this act of
indiscretion she is tried by a jury of
women, there being no men on that planet,
and is sentenced to go down to the earth,
there 10 remain in exile, accompanied by
six OF her sisters, until she has recovered
the supper. The merry adventures with
which the girls from Venus meet during
their exile on earth furnish lively en-
tertainment. and many amusing scenes take
place before the slipper is finally regained.
The piece Is filled with pretty musical
numbers, There Is 2 sextet song called
Come. Little Girl" that has been almost
as popular In the East as the famous Tell
Me. Pretty Maiden" OF "Florodora," and
there are many other bright gems. The
sensation or the new play, however, Is the
Champagne Dance" In which six men and
six girls participate The girls are con-
sidered the best dancers from George Ed
wardes's school in England, and were
brought to this country under contract by
Mr. Fisher especially for this dance. After
few bars of catchy music, the girls appear
dressed I'm bright yellow costumes They
dance bit, and are then Joined by six men
CARRIED az walters. Each OF the walters car
ries table to which is attached q small
bell Tie walters. after placing the tables
raft tiki
while the girls are dancing, and are finally
summoned by the ringing of the bells
which feat is accomplished by the girls Ia ID
ping the bells with their toes The walters
retire only to return with champagne bot
ties and glasses. and after going through