Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-01
SWEETEST OF MELODIES CHARMS HUGH AUDIENCE
LasN a

Welcome is the revival Of "FlorodOra,'
which was the forerunner of the modern
musical comedy.
Twenty years ago, when the sextette
girls sang "Tell Me, Pretty Maiden" and
nodded to the audience, the glorious fu-
ture of "FlorodOra" was assured.
Last night at the Murat the 1920 re-
vival Of this tunefuI, old-fashioned gem,
all polished up with modern stage magic
and styles, delighted those who remem-
Eered the original production as well as
those who first experienced the charms
Of this musical play.
It seems strange to call anything old
fashioned which is only twenty years
cid, but we realized last night the extent
of dress reform when the old-fashioned
sextette appeared In the long dresses
dragging on the floor and their quaint
black picture hats. The contrast was
realized even more decidedly because the
modern girls Of the revival appeared also.
And yet we seldom hear as tuneful
a song as Shade Of the Sheltering Palm"
or the famous Tell Ne, Pretty Maiden, =
both OF which are two of the solid hits
r OF "FIorodora
Don't get the impression that the re-
vival Of "F1orodora" is a costume re-
vtval Far from It, as the last scene Of
the play presents some of the most
beautiful and costly costumes ever pre-
scented On q local stage. The stage set
ting and effects are all modern and spIen-
didly handled. The last scene of "FIoro-
dora" will go down in local theatrical
history as a gem Of beauty. both from
q standpoint Of melody as well as from
a scenic viewpoint
The haunting musical score, which
thrilled the theater-goers OF two decades
ego, is present in the revival and ex-
pertly rendered by Walter Woolf as
Frank AbercOed, Eleanor Painter as Do
lores, William DanfOrth as the comical
Anthony Tweddlepunch, Robert G. Pit
kin as Cyrus GiIfaIn and Maxine Brown
as Angela Gilfain.
Miss Eleanor Painter brings to the
role of Dolores, a Spanish girl. that rare
combination Of real singing ability and
marked dramatic power. She makes
Dolores warm, passionate love girl
Her golden voice hits the high notes
with ease. l thought she was at her
best while singing "Caramba' but the
audience gave the big demonstration Of
the evening following her singing Of the
exquisite Love VIII Find You" Miss
Painters work viii stand the most Sc
we're critical test and her average will
Walter WOOlf as Frank. Of course,
made his big hit while singing shade
Of the Sheltering Palm" Can anything
be sweeter than that old sOngI II
there is, I never have heard Ii in the
years I have written Of the footlights.
1t is interesting to contrast the out
of-date antics of Anthony Tweddle-
punch, played by William Danforth. as
the chief funmaker Of this show with the
modern comedian. Danforth retains the
funny makeup, the old fashioned clothes
and the ancient manners OF the old
Tweddlepunch. Mr.. Danforth is an
actor of the needed temperament to
make the old phrenologist one Of the
| favorites Of the revival The dancing OF
FJsobel Rodrique Is Of the highest order.
Maxine Brown is one of those dainty
persons who combines good looks with
a pleasing voice. Her success with
Hello, People d light little song mum
Der. is proof Of what she can do with a
song Dana Sykes was satisfactory as
Lady Hollywood.
An enormous company is carried to
properly present "FlorodOrO.' The ma
tority Of tie girls OF the company may
truthfulIy be called beautiful Last
night the song. Il Want to Be a Military
Man" failed to land the expected wallop
because something went wrong In the
orchestra pit and the director increased
whatever was wrong by blaming 1t on
musician In several loud words.
The Shriners bought out the entire
house last night and gave one of the
largest theater parties Of the season. IL
was certainly jolly party and the
house was capacity.
0ninfon. "Florodora" can safely be
Endorsed MS one Of the treats Of the
stage. both from a musical standpoint
as well as the cast and the scenic equip
ment. "FIo~odora" affords one a rare
evening of melodious pleasure. Not 70
be missed by those who claim they want
the best on the stage.
At the Murat for the rest OF the week
w. D. II.