The Saint Paul globe., 1905-02-24
At St. Paul Theaters

tnls creation, the book of which is the
work of George Ade, while the music
is supplied by Gustav Luders. 1t can
be said that The Sho-Gun' is a high
ly felicitous combination of the crea-
tive faculties of two producers of pop
ular works-dramatic and musical.
The wedding Of the two faculties has
brought forth a highly entertaining
product characterized by the popular
qualities of both
without exaggeration, the libretto is
easily superior to any other of ma
tive origin now doing duty in musical
comedy or comic opera. To say that
ITS satire and diction approach the
Giibertian quality is to pay Mr.. Ade a
compliment that his work merits-and
that is high compliment-for w. S.
Gilberts comic opera librettos are mas
terpieces that are recognized as class
les. There are ideas in The Sho-Gun''
that seem to have been conceived be-
fore the lines were written and the
costumes and scenery devised. The
scheme Of the opera is to satirize such
American traits and fads as the wor-
ship OF title, the formation of trusts,
the organization of unions and the art
of advertising. -
That these national eccentricities
may be effectively exhibited, by sheer
contrast they are forced upon the ma
tives OF an imaginary island in the
sea OF Japan, upon which resOurceful
citizen of Iowa happens to land. The
scene of action affords ample scope for
Oriental color in scene and costume,
and Oriental simplicity in embracing
some of the up to date notions of the
energetic American who is nothing if
f1ll -hny1 IN 1faor ~
AS literary production it likewise
merits distinction, the dlction being of
a choicer character than that ordi-
narily noted in the musical comedy and
the lyrics revealing ingenuity both in
rhyme and rhythm. In short a respect
for the kings English is always in evil
dence, both in song and speech. It is
in this respect that the work recalls the
joint creations of that matchleSS pair,
Gilbert and Sullivan, and especially
their japanese work, THE Mikado," by
reason of national color and Oriental
hues. To charge the authors with
borrowing from that distinguished Gre
alton in word or tone would be unjust
The Shotgun" is nothing If not orig
inal.
The female chorus has not been un-
duly praised in advance. 1t is always
delight to the eye and ear. The ORR
entail robes of bright and variegated
hues and Silken texture are exceedingly
pretty and therein -accentuate the
beauty of the girls they adorn, and
the stage settings of the two acts still
further enhance the dazzling pictures
that all present in every grouping.
This chorus is also kept busy. The
gr1ls do something besides sing the
opera providing business" for every
number and scene.
Wise judgment has been shown In
the selection of the cast. The domi-
mating spirit is an energetic Iowan of
unlimited assurance and no reverence
for Oriental idols or, customs, Will
liam Henry Spangle, is embodied
through the personality of that con-
f1dent entertainer. John E. Henshaw,
who. it is firmly believed, would ehal-
lenge Old Nick himself to a game of
seven up if there were an object worth
playing for. Never, for an instant,
does Henshaw become prosy or defect
ed. He is at all times jocose and ebul-
lient.
Mr.. Henshaw is ably abetted by
Thomas c. Leary. quaint comedian
or legitimate methods, who plays
Hanki-Pank, astrologer and dealer in
proverbs in his native isle and easily
convertible into an attorney general
whose convenient opinions are based
on precedents established by his an
cestors.
A winsome and piquant parsonage
is the Princess Hunni Bun, niece of
the Shotgun, impersonated by Miss
Christie Mcdonald. Her captivating
smile and expressive eyes illuminate
the duet with Tee-To Komura, the de-
spised bachelor when they sing cheek
by jowl. Your Honeymoon VIII
Last" This is the lyrical gem of the
opera, in rhythm and melody.
Another pleasing figure Is Agnes
Caine Brown, who plays Once Omi,
the widow of the former Shotgun, and
displays a melodious voice. May Ten
Brock impersonates the Dowager Hi
F'aloot with amusing dignity. and Will
liam c. Weldon plays the sentimental
bachelor with a penchant for warbling
tenor farewellS to Hunn-Bun COM
mendably. His tenor is of the lyric
variety and his action graceful.
All in all. THE Sho-Gun" Is a well
come relief from the conventional
melanges' of words and music, with
which we are too often afflicted. of
which we are thoroughly tired.
It's a happy combination-Ade and
Luders- F. G. H.
Edna Wallace Hopper will begin an
engagement of four nights and We'd
nesday matinee at the Metropolitan
tneater, beginning Sunday night. The
plays TO be presented are an English
comedy, "A Country Mouse" which
was great success in London, and a
curtain raiser called Captain Janu-
ary. The story of "a Country
Mouse shows the discontinue result
ing from filtration, the comical mys-
uhcauon of more sophisticated persons
than the country mouse, and the en-
tanglemeDt of tilted suitor As its
heroine. Miss Hopper will be seen as
an artless English girl newly come to
London.
THE Lighthouse by the Sea-" Vance
and Sullivan's melodrama, is meeting
with popular approval at the Grand
Judging from the crowded houses that
turn out nightly to witness the per-
formance. The play abounds in SEN
satlonal scenes and exciting climaxes,
and plenty of comedy runs through the
play Louis Haines, as Tom Cod, the
lazy country boy, furnishes much fun
James K. Hackett, who comes to the
metropolitan opera house next week in
his new play, The. Fortunes of the
King. has again this season for his
leading lady Miss Charlotte Walker.
Mr. Hackett practically ~discovered''
Miss Walker, and, except for a short
while that she was with Kyrle Bellew,
she has passed her entire professional
career under his management
The Star theater management prom
ri fr1cr rIxr