Life — October 7, 1897 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“LIFE: SLAIN gs “ The French Maid.” The Kosher Vendetta. I is a pity that on its first presentation “The French Maid" could not have been played second act first. There are only two of them, and the first act is quite up to the level of ‘The Girl from Paris” in fun and brightness. The second contains a good many clever spots, but also a lot of material which is neither interest- ing nor amusing, and it tired the first audience. In this as in the other piece the characteristics of Mr. Edward Evangeline Rice are strongly inevidence. The chorus girls are pretty, shapely, and not even Sol- omon in all his glory was ever clad as are they. The calcium light was not known in Solomon's time, and that is always the principal item in the clothing of Mr. Rice's stage nymphs. The libretto of **The French Maid" is uneven, very English in some places and quite clever in others, notably in the words of the songs. There is no distinct plot, but the action shifts about the mis- chievous coquetry of the femme de chambre ata hotel in Boulogne. She is ably personated by Miss Mar- gucrite Sylva, who has a large amount of vivacity, fine eyes, and a set of teeth to which she may justly point with pride. Mr. Charles A. Bigelow, who made much fun in ‘*The Girl from Paris,” as the erring husband who disguises himself in a Scotch costume, appears now as an amorous waiter, and is almost as successful in touching the risibilities. Mr. Hallen Mostyn, as a sailor with all a tar’s propensity for love-making and fighting, divides the principal honors with Mr. Bigelow. Miss Anna Robinson is a finished product of the dressmaker’s art, who should be scen but not heard. Musically, the piece has several pretty and many effective numbers. The company is not strong in voices, but Miss Sylva does well with ‘The Femme de Chambre,” and Mr. Mostyn with ‘'’Twas Twenty- 4 seven Bells by the Waterbury Watch.” The air of Mrs. R. the ‘‘Rhapsodie Table d'Héte" is catching and the words ingeniously funny, although ‘the grub that makes the butterfly” is a trifle too late for this century and a bit too early for the next. “The French Maid” naturally suffers by comparison in coming to the Herald Square immediately after so successful a run as that of ‘‘The Girl from Paris.” It is neither so amusing in itself nor so well performed, but is considerably above the average of such productions. * * * NY quarrel between Mr. Charles Frohman and Mr. Oscar Hammerstein would ordinarily be of little public importance unless it was decided after the manner of the famous duel of the Kilkenny cats. In that event there would be a general sigh of relief and the public would heartily con- gratulate itself. The réle of informer bas always been a contemptible one, but Mr. Frohman is made’ after the manner of his kind, and Mr. Hammerstein has hurt him in his most vital point—his pocket. In his revenge Mr. Froh- man has brought the police down on the proprictors of all the leading music-halls, and the public must take its vaude- ville and music without the cheering accompaniment of beer. Toa great many people this is a real deprivation and one for which they should hold Mr. Frohman responsible. The whole business only furnishes further proof that Baxter Street methods are altogether too prevalent in theatrical affairs, and ‘‘ Mr. Frohman presents ” them. Metcalfe. A JUNGLE TOILET. AREN'T YOU KEADY YET?) WHAT IN THE DEUCE ARE YOU WAITING FOR ? 'T FIND THE NAIL FILE, AND MY NOSE ISN'T MANICURED,