Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-08

Occasionally a show comes along
which is so crowded with honest laughs
and fine farcical acting that it is as
much a treat as a rainbow is after a
shower. Such a show is THE Hotten-
tot" and Synonymous with the title Is
the name of the featured player, William
Collier When you go to 1.-The Hotten-
tot" at English's today or tomorrow, be
sure and dust of your laughing appa-
ratus and see that it is strong enough
to stand the strain of two hours Of con-
slant use.
This show Is fun of horse talk and
dorsey people, as the title Of the play
refers to a horse so swift of foot that
even a fly can't stay on him. That's
the mount which Sam Harrington, who
is scared to death of a stable, let alone
horse, is expected to ride because the
dear lady he loves mistakes him for
crack rider. Mr.. Collier is Sam and
/ Georgia Lee Hall is Peggy Fairfax, the
girl.
There is so much horse talk in and
about the Fairfax mansion that Collier
allows "Thls isn't home, 1t is stable.
Every one In this play is "horse mad
except Sam and Surft, the butler, played
| by Donald Meek.
on his bluff that he is a crack rider
/ so as to be able to win the hand of
Peggy, who is horse crazy and has
her dear little heart set on her horse
winning the race. Sam manages to get
up enough courage and in the last min
utes OF the play he sticks on the BACK
| of 1.-The Hottentot' and wins the race
/ and the heart and hand of his lady
> fair.
A z.ere recital Of the story Of this
/ farce can only be a tame affair, but in
| 1ect the splendid ability Of Mr.. Collier
| and his dron humOr and the result is q
! complete riot. The writer has never seen
/ a funnier scene than when Sam and the
/ butler are rehearsing their fear Of horses
/ 1t is in this scene that Mr.. Meek as the
/ butler, and Mr. Collier does some u
/ the cleverest work seen on the local
| stage in many months.
The play, of course, abounds with Col
| Iierisms and If they were not present II
would not be a At vehicle for Collier
For example, Collier asks Peggy what
her racing colors are and on being in
| formed. she asks him what his colors
are. Collier replies, BLACK and blue
/ Again, Collier consents to bet with his
rival that 1.-The Hottentot will come in
alone" Collier uses all OF MS FAMOUS
/ nervous mannerisms in this play. He
| gulps down whisky" like a fireman
would turn water upon a fire.
| The lingering joke Of the play is when
| Collier wins the race. Not because he is
a crack rider, but because the darn horse
ran away with him. Another clever bit
| Of business is when Collier and Peggy
sip" coffee in after dinner style out OF
| little cups about the size of a thimble.
1.-The Hottentot" is essentially a Collier
| triumph and Mr.. Meek as the butler wins
fame for himself as well. The remainder
of the cast hasn't much to do but the
remaining roles are adequately handled
Opinion: 1.-The Hottentot' is the thor.
oughbred Of farces and gives one a real
run for his money. There are no false
values in this play. 1t is coed old horse
and the rider (AIr Collier is as sure q
winner as the horse Not to be missed
/ by those who know how to laugh.
At English's tonight, Wednesday after
noon and night-W. D. II.
i - =