The Merry Maidens

Location:
Theater:
Date:
Type:
In the opening chorus she (Ms. Murray) wears an atrocious costume of red, plentifully besprinkled with spangles as big as quarters. Throughout the rest of the show, however, her dressing was in excellent taste. Four changes are shown in the opening piece, all pretty with the exception of the opening number. The costumes for the burlesque are even more elaborate, there being a partial change in the last two or three minutes.
The musical numbers are well staged and effective, tanks artly to a first-rate chorus of fourteen girls. Joe Ward and Maude Raynor offered a singing and talking act in the olio to which Haines and Pettingill were generous if not voluntary contributors.
Rice in the character of a German valet furnishes most of this. Joe Ward and Maude Raynor offered a singing and talking act in the olio The Ferrel Brothers did exceedingly well in a comedy bycicle act. The pair have a trick of the "musical cat," introduced in this country last summer by Collins and Hart. They likewise employ the invisible wire, but only for an instant and then not in connection with the burlesque "strong man" trick. The closing feat involve8 a forward somersault by the straight man, which is new and startling. Patti Carney closed the olio with a neat singing act.
The house liked the specialty, however, and it went to a good percentage of laughs.
Rice has the comedy department pretty much all to himself in both pieces, there being no one else in the organization conspicuous for humorous work. Joe Ward had and Irish role in both parts, but seems to make no effort to rival Rice for comedy honors. The idea of having their instruments off stage and bringing them on as they are used is a good one.
Source:
Variety 1:3 (19/01/1907)