The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-27
AT THE THEATERS
Metropolltan-"Mother Goose.


Out Of the Christmas pantomimes. SO
popular in England, but never successful
ly transplanted to America, at least as a
seasonal function, have grown those tre-
mendous spectacles put on every year at
the Drury Lane theater In London. No
sooner is one Of these massive productions
successfully launched on its career than
playWrights and artists and designers be-
gin the work of planning for its successor.
Some ancient fairy tale is usually selected
for the foundation, and on this is built up
a production just little more pretentious
and elaborate than it's predecessor.
Mother Goose" which now comes to
Minneapolis, is one Of these Drury Lane
spectacles, and after viewing its wonders.
the beholder is struck with admiration,
not merely for the boldness, but for the
business adabity of Klaw and Erlanger, the
firm which has undertaken to carry this
huge production about the country.
: The stage Of the Metropolitan was taxed
to its utmost limit last night. when the
various effects and the great balleIs were
put on. Hundreds Of girls clad in a be-
wildering variety Of varicolored costumes,
all part of one great color scheme, trooped
out to the strains Of inspiring music and
posed in varying figures and attitudes.
They were flooded with changing lights
until the pictures became surprisingly
beautiful. The most strikingly beautiful
effect Of all was obtained by the wonder
full aerial ballet, in which coryphees sus-
pended on invisible wires made graceful
flights thru the air. The simple figures
used were wonderfully effective and the
fgurantes alighted on the stage from their
flights with all the ease and assurance OF
birds.
The Mother Goose allegory used as the
basis of the spectacle is intended to teach
the lesson of contentment. This lesson
is taught the tabled lady thru the goose
that laid the golden eggs. Having ac-
quired this opulent bird, Mother Goose
acquires also discomfort and the story
which is naturally of rather tenuous inter
est, Is concerned with her rescue from
| that state. Joseph Cawthorn, he Of the
palatial tremolo, extracts unceasing mer.
riment from the role. He is the chief fun
maker and never gives over his task till
the curtain is finally down. He is aidec
and abetted by Harry Kelly, who plays
the son of Mother Goose in happy go
lucky Juvenile style, and w. H. Macart
who plays a Scotch laird with broad but
fetching comedy. Neva Aymar cuts g
very pretty figure as Mother Goose's
daughter while Corinne, as deft of foot
and winning Of smile as ever, Is Colin, he,
lover. Edith st. Clair is saucy and dash.
ing as the maid of the family. Edith
Hutchins as the inevitable fairy queen an6
Allan Ramsay as the equally inevitable
demon, who contends with her over thu
| fate of the mortals and is worsted at last
! play their roles in the conventional way
and with good effect. Walter Stanton still
! plays the goose and maintains his reputa
| ton as a clever animal impersonator.
| OF course, the production is PLENTIFUL!
besprinkled with good songs. One of tn
hits was the Laughing Water number
with Corinne as the Indian princess. An
other was the absurd "Old Oaken Bucket
stunt Of the three leading comedians, aid
ed by Clifton Crawford Mother Goose
is a feast for the eye, with much to pleas
the ear and enough fun to keep the risi
bilities we'll stirred.
f. w B. Chamberlain.