Life — April 2, 1903 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

The Circus and More Musical Comedy. N° surer sign of proaching spring is vouchsafed to New Yorkers than the arrival of the circus at Madison Square Garden. Itis as reliable a portent rapid lengthening of the as the days or the return of the robins to Central Park. For a few rs sub- stitutes have taken the place of the only, original Sarnum’s, which has been astonishing foreign parts with the Americanness of its immensity, Its sojourn abroad, however, seems to have given ‘t test show on earth” renewed youth and vigor. It would be impossible to describe its many, myriad, megatherian attractions without dropping into the literary style of the disti dvertisements, Suffice it to say that any take its parents, gran rished author of its child who wishes to ents or other adult relatives to so with perfect confidence that th disappointed either in the perplexing simultaneous performance in the arena with its thre f freaks The generations of cireus-goers who have come he cireus this year ean will not be gs or in the reinforced army and wonders. existence since Barnum’s went abroad will find that the tradi- 1s they have heard concerning it were in no wise exaggerated ° . ° N EW YORK has just had the unusna experience of getting its mu “The Prince of Pilsen were familiar before it made its appearance at the Broadway, the piece having experienced previous long and thorough tests in such dog- towns as Chicago and Boston. Ver haps those places have not had such comedy second-hand. The airs of overdoses of musical comedy as this unfortunate metropolis, so they were more enthusiastic over it than we are likely to become. This statement doesn’t necessarily mean that “ The Prince of Pilsen” is at all bad of its kind, but the kind has monopolized our theatres to an extent where the public is ready to welcome any other kind of show ; in fact, even Uncle Tom's Cabin” or ‘Ten Nights in a Barroom” FROM THE CHORUS OP might find appreciative audiences, ‘The blame for this state of affairs, of course, rests between an easy public and the Theatrical Syndicate, which has neither the b artistic knowle $s to discover good material nor the ¢ it proper presentation, “The Prince of Pilsen” emphasizes one thing—we have cither got to have fewer musical comedies or more comedians. It must have been a hopeless search which resulted in giving the leading comic réle in the piece to Mr. He is distinetly un-funny, and it may be taken for granted that he would not have been cast for the part by so astute a manager as Mr. Heury W. Savage, if better material had been available. Tke only other member of the cast who stands out with spe Helen acting, is refreshing by com eto g john KR. Ranson ial prominence is rtram, whose excellent teebnique, both in singing and trison with the crudeness which Also there ure pretty girls in abundance, the Jewish type too much in evidence, perhaps, but as a rule shapely infests the comic opera sta nd nimble, and well rehearsed. ‘The mounting of the piece in costume and scenery is unusually gorgeous and tasteful, “The Prince of Pilsen” in neither book nor score is as good as its stable-mate, © Sultan of Sulu fetching airs, the “Stein S rendered by a male choru With fewer musical comedies in town “ The Isen"” would doubtless become very popular. As it is, it is sufficiently above the average to hold its own and success fully cope with its many conpetit A pleasant feature of the first performance in New York of - Prince of Pilsen” was Mr. his own music. Tt has a number of being the most prete Prin tious Luders’s evident enje He is the composer, and conducted the orchestra A solitary hand-elap from any one in the house meant an inme- diate encore. This was pleasant for Mr. Luders, but tough on the Metcalfe. LIFE'S CONFIDENTIAL GUIDE TO THE THEATRES. leademy of Music —* The Suburban,” Notice later, Dielave * The Darling of the ds, Tragedy of Japa: most notable production of the year. jou —Marie Cahill in“ Nancy comedy Broadway. he Prin The Chinese Io: ment of audience. se life. The Brown,” Commonplace musical Pilsen." Musteal comedy. See above Casino. moon.” Musical comedy of the ustal type. Criterion.—Charles Hawtrey in “A Message from Mars.” Revival of last season's clever satire, Daly's. —" The Jewel of Asia.” Musteal comedy, Pretty tad, Everyman," Artistic and impressive performance. Very well worth seeing. Garrick.—Annie Rassell in “Mice aud Men.” Clever little play, well acted. Herald Square—Grace George tn Veggy.” Notice later. Knickerbocker. — Mr. cal comedy “Pretty Biuet Mu- Pretentious tn presentation, but poor in quality Madison Square—Eiste de Wolfe in “cynthia” Amusing bot not imposing comedy. Mojistic.—" The Wizard of 02." Elab- orate spectacle, Amusing and m Manhattan.—"The Earl ¢ Really humorous play, well done. “The Frisky Mrs. Johnson."” Clyde Fitch soctety play of average interest, Saroy.—" The Girt with the Green Eyes." By Clyde Fitch. Fairly interesting. Victoria.—" Resurrection.” Impressive stage version of Tolstot's story. Wallack"s.—"* The Sultan of Sala." Mu sical comedy of the better sort, Weber and Fields's,—Buriesque and vaude- ville. If you haven't got any money for the Ucket speculator, you needn't come *round. Princess. “THE PRINCE OP PILSEN." comicbooks.com