The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-08

that; he never will stop running
Again Foy had been heard from.
] Another suggestion regarding the So
called peerless commoner was deliver
ed by the Topeka mar. whereat he
was met with the assertion: There is
such a thing as not having common
sense enough to quit" at which point
that subject from the conversation.
His Hamlet Success.
Eddie Foy has "come and went ;
With him he brought the sama col
lapsible face that has previously
amused Topeka, his knee-sprung gait.
and marvellous collection of non
away with him, but in doing so faile 1
to take along the impression which
reused the risibilities of the audience.
That alone remained. The fact that
he had pleased was sufficient He
didn't need the impression. He could
mould another elsewhere, as time and
place permits.
That "Mr Hamlet of Broadway"
pleased last night was entirely due to
the comedy gifts of Mr.. Foy, and the
personal charms and talents of SOW
eral persons in his support But take
Foy away from the cast. eliminate
two or three other principals and the
piece would have about as much life
and appeal as a graveyard. where
Banquo's ghost never walks.
The underlying idea of the piece.
suggested by Foy himself is good.
There is a great chance in it for
clever burlesque and real comedy. but
Edgar Smith has buried that chance
under a mass of ancient gags" and
time-worn dope Too, the managcrs
in an insane hodge-podge, absolutely
lacking in relevance. sequence,
cohesion and point, have piled on
their usual eupply of "broilers."
mediums" and "show girls in a pas
sionate devotion to their confidence in
chorus and, strange to say it pleases
too.
With all that can be said Foy was
as funny as he could have been. for
straight" but actually played him
straight at times. The piece which is
intended as a burlesque is not SO rich
in fun that Mr.. Foy can afford to
sacrifice the slightest chance FIR A
laugh, and strange though it may seem
make-ups and buffQonery with "the
legitimate" he really believes that he
could play Hamlet on the Shakes
pearian shrine he has worshippeh for
many years.
Josie Intropidi has one of the
funniest bits in the play and in her
support of the whimsical Eddie helps
the silk worm of comedy to spin out
of himself in a scene which could
have been immeasureably heightened
This season Foy is happy in his
support. Easily the hardest working
of the company is Miss Belle
Gold and she scores an enviable effect
upon the audience, although her I'M
preston of intense effort probably de-
tracts from the additional appreci&-
ton which she merits. The Intropidis
Josie and Ethel-and especially the
former. as Mrs. Bustle. Alfred Lattel
as the bear. Miss Laura Jaffray as
Mrs. Stringer and Chas. Holton as
Barnaby Bustle, also aid Mr.. Fov in
his efforts, and keep the stage from
becoming dreary void when he isl
off it.
Those who expected to see newt
effects in situations were disappointed,
and besides reference was made at
times to Topeka and local affairs-a
stage worn pun which has lost all
,avor of ever having spiced comedy
% an extent of being shown any
of hairbreadth
quality it might deserve. Neverthe- |
ess every man. woman and child in |
he we'll filed theater seemed to en- |
10y themselves and they applauded |
inti1 they were worn out.