The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-08-19
BRILLIANT HIT
MADE BY ''F|FI"
Attraction at tho Calumet
Theater Last Evening

coEg, gorgeously costumed and splen
didly presented. Fiji OF the Toyshop,
made it's initial appearance at the Cal
umet theater last evening and won in
slant favor from a generously filleC
! and discriminating house.
Viewed from any standpoint, Eff
is success, the biggest hit among
home grown" theatricals for years
Those who fail to grasp the last OPP
portunity offered to witness this fan
tastic spectacle at the theater this
same time deprive the Calumet Play
ground association of assistance 10
which it is justly entitled. Fiji is
produced under the playground aus
Oices, and if the little tots" who per-
form SO gracefully are a sample of
what the playground movement can
accomplish, ii is a worthy enterprise.
There Is much that might be said
| about Fiji" and much that must be
LETT unsaid for il would be impossible
To describe how each member of the
cast OF almost 200 contributed his quo
Ia to the success of the complete pro-
duction. Fiji" suffered nothing i'm the
hands of the talented and capable cast
OF young ladies and gentlemen-in fact
professionals could have done but lit
tie better. That so much could be ac-
complished in the training of the COM
ponent parts Of the production and in
assembling them with such precision.
in so short a time, speaks volumes for
the ability Of Director George L. Lett
ner of Chicago, Mrs. John T. Been OF
Calumet and others who assisted.
The plot of Eff" resembles some
what that of Peter Pan" 1t reveals
night of revelry among the dolls and
animals of the "Toyshop" as seen dur |
ing the magic sleep of Bonnie"
daughter OF the keeper of the toy |
shop. In this sleep little fairies ait |
and frolic with the dolls, impassioned |
love scenes are enacted, songs break |
forth from tuneful threats, legends
are presented through the marching
OF the lively letter blocks, graceful
dances are revealed, little Jumping
Jacks hop about, the Noah's ark fam
lily makes its appearance and the an
tics OF the doll family and the clowns,
keep the audience i'm a constant up
roar. The mountings leave little to
be desired, and the pretty costumes
which seem so well suited to their
wearers, add much to the effect.
Mrs. Robert Wetzel in the role of
Bonnie" and Melvin Rowe as Tack
hammer" keeper of the toyshop and
father of Bonnie" Will Phillips as
Sand Man." whose melodious voice
casts Bonnie into such n bewitching
sleep and Miss Ida May Cook, as "Au-
relia,' retired fairy queen, are called
upon to present what there is of plot
to the production and little room is
offered for Improvement in any part.
Miss Mildrid Romsdahl as Fiji" the
ilirtatious French doll. had the most
exacting role of the doll family, and
harmed her hearers with her vivacity
ma her excellent vocal numbers. g.
:. Haskell prince Lollypop," Howard
fray Lieut.. Tinheart," Frank II. Hal
er captain Barnacle," Will Gill The
Ian in the Moon" Miss Matte Sher-
nan "lnkshop" doll Of color Miss
sottie Childs, Loosely" a rag doll, Miss
Mary Torreano DO Peep a singing
Toll, Miss Sylvia Bastian as Miss
'uddinghead," a laughing doll, are the
principals of the doll family and in
Zach instance the wisdom of the selec-
ion for the respective roles is amply
Misses Pauline McLogan and Mernie ,
3astian. az Jap dolls Victor and Carl
- Rawlings as clowns, Miss Pasqui-
lelli, the talking doll contribute to the ,
uccess of the undertaking.
Among the most interesting features ,
u Eff" are the childish songs of lit
lie Miss Marion Rice and Robbie"
sullivan, about the smallest members ,
# the cast, who approach their parts ,
With the seriousness and skill OF pro-
alent, especially the former, who was
allied upon to respond to frequent en-
ores. ,
AS the revelry reaches its height,
nd animated by the magic smelling ,
ats Of the queen of fairies, the
Jumping Jacks" make their appear {
nee, followed in turn by the China
oils, bevy of attractive young ladies.
Who execute a unique and interesting
ance, then the animals from Noah's ,
rk are let loose. The paper dolls, an
Their group of pretty society young ,
aides give another interesting dance
nd the live letter blocks execute a
rill which gives evidence of splendid
The bridesmaids, make their
ppearance just before the close of the ,
revealing another very
,raceful dance. They are Joined by
host Of little fairies, the smallest
members of the cast, and the finale
eveals the marriage Of Lieut. Tinheart
md Eff" The scene is one of the best
f the entire production. .
Miss Lyle Engstrom acted as accom- ,
,anist for the production and handled
,,iIx, Ill