New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-03
H|PPODROME'S OPENING
New Show, "Around the WorId,'
Gives Scenes in Many Lands.
STORY OF STOLEN JEWEL
Great Tank Is Used, with Foun-
tain and Lighting Effects
Most Gorgeous.

The Hippodrome opened It's seventh sea-
son last night with a series OF spectacles
that seemed 10 do little more than fulnl
the expectations Of the folk who packed
the big auditorium on the strength OF their
faith that came from former years. But
the Hippodrome Is different this year In
a way that will make 1t more than ever
an accepted institution. II has become as
much an institution as Halleys comet,
which Is supposed to sweep across the sky
at set periods, startling the stars with a
glory that makes a lot Of bright lights look
pale so the Hippodrome comes back at
its annual interval. perhaps with little
bit more glory than ever before and with
difference that makes that glory bit
higher grade.
Perhaps the difference IS that those who
had the conceiving and creation OF the
Hippodrome's "hfppodrama" this year real
tied more fully than ever before that Il
was a thing apart and behoden 10 none
If the elements OF dramaturgy that Broad
way proper depends upon for its successes
and failures.
AT any rate. the Hippodrome Is more
purely spectacular this year, with less of
beloved at the audience by actors who
stalk to the front Of the great stage before
delivering their weighty lines, and less or
bromide jokes, similarly beloved, with
many a forced wink and nod. Dialogue and
plot have been reduced TO a minimum this
year. But there is still a sweep Of action
and continuity in the vivid scenes that
pass IN rapid succession.
A wonderful diamond, so the idea of the
action runs, is stolen, and brought 70 an
American millionaire, carrying with 1t a
curse. Bad luck. of course, Immediately
develops in his own affairs, but be sticks
10 the diamond until it is stolen from MIN.
Then he sets out 20 hunt It 10 the ends OF
the earth, accompanied by few friends,
a pair OF heroes and a heroine or two 10
match Them. That is about all Of the plot
The real drama lies IN the scenes visited
First there is a scene outside Windsor CAS-
tie. with Maypole parties. and then band
Of coster boys and girls. who sing with all
Of the toughuess OF their class about
% AIRY and 'Arriet."
The scene changes 70 the Swiss Alps.
which are shown in rich atmospheric eff
fects. There are yodlers singing songs 70
one another from rocky peaks. and then
flock Of sheep are seen picking their way
slowly down the mountains. Real sheep
they are and they actually pick their way
till they reach the level ground. and then
trot of lightly. II is a magical scene, ef-
fective as life itself, because II is Just as
simple
The course Of this Around the World
play next brings the adventures to the
desert beneath the Sphinx. There are
Arabs. there are caravans Of real camels
going BY In the nisht-if II doesn't MAKE
the desire 10 travel for 20 admire and for
to see for 70 behold this world so wide, -
creep along ones spine IT must be very
Unconditional spine Then there is an abb
duction in the desert and a fight across
the sands. with a wonderful spectacular
effect OF a storn-a sandstorm-that makes
even the camels cringe and flee.
Then folk are carried into the barbaric
splendor OF the observation-disclosures, with
its harem scenes-and later into India. with
all the glory OF the durbar. There are
four huge elephants. plenty of camels
oxen. ernus and other animals al over the
stage. with a whirl OF somersaulting aero
hats and a hurricane Of color. on this
the dark curtains fall TO rise on the softer
beauty OF rtaly-venice-with It's serenades
and gondoas and moonlight. Finally, De-
fore the voyagers start home, there IS
spain. with a bullfght ana the bull gets
loose on the stage and scares all OF the
huueght out Of every one. After this the
Mot works itself out IN the usual way and
let's every one get back home intact
The second part IS the balet-a new and
even more gorgeous ballet than ever glori-
fed the Hippodrome stage beforehand
finally the great tank, with scenic effects
in the form Of fountains ana lights. These
things. though. are as they have been be-
fore only more so.
There are the songs this year. too-melo-
dies by Manuel Klein. haunted now and
then II seemed by some Of the themes
that made his music popular last year.
But his better work IS I'm the orchestral
effects accompanying the scenes.