The New York herald., 1877-02-12
oFFENBAcH's NEW OPERA
'DocroR OK AT THE THEATRE DEs vARE
ETEs.

ETEs.
From the London Daily News, Jan. 10
The composer OF much OF that gay. frivolous music
which the stale OF the Partisan mind dur
ing he Second Empire has takcn up one OF tho
char ming scientific iancics OF NJ Jules Verne, and hai
produced at the Theatre des Varieties musical extrav
aganza entitled "Doctor OK" 81. OGenbach has been
assisted in literary part OF his work by MN. Gie
aud Mortier who have transformed NJ. Jules Vcrne's
tale for stage purposes into several new and uncx
pccted shapes Besides the exquisite ooery OF dosing
the stolid population OF Flemish town with super
abundance OF oxygen gas, such entirely changes
Slow pondering nature tho audience Is eratined
with representation Of Science in love. DR.. OK is
revealed to US Ia the character OF suitor for
the hand OF Princess Prascovia, Circassan
lady Of character SO energetic that u causes the
Doctor TO take fright ut the last moment, ana when
everything has beon arranged Tor his marriage. Tho
plot OF the piece then turns upon the relentless pur
suit OF Dr. OK by his discarded bride, who with line
contempt for geographical considerations Is shown
leaving tie Court o Persia, accompanied ny her whole
family aud attended by tho Mayor oi ler native c,'y,
force tie fugitive doctor into matrmony Alter THIS
point nothing is very clear except that the Princess
succeeds III stealing moderator Key, which enables
Doctor Ok 10 measure the quantity OF oxygen which
can be administered 70 puschmen m without
,or tr thus deprived of his private gasomcior
blows up largo part OF the town OF 'Quiqucndone'
where he resides aud is very nearly made the vc!m
OF popular tumut tho res0lute project OF Princess
Prcscovia TO marry or destroy HIM. Her plan meets
with entire success, and, contrary to all dramatic
usage Dut that which NJ Ofenbach himself conforms
TO- vice Is lriumphanty rewarded. Tho plot OF N.
Oienbach's piece, however, Is not, ana perhaps was
intended be, the best part OF It, The spirit ol
tho whole thing Will be found in us boisterous mcrri.
ment and joyous confusion Of sights aud OF sounds
NINE. JUDO AT HER BEST.
II Is not going too far 10 say that Nine Jrdicl
acting singing leave the most agreeable recollcc
ton oi NJ. OGenbach's piece. All the sparkling ari
have been expressly composed for her, ana nor very
pecuiarities O manner have been carefully studied
Uf the itself may be said that II Is brisk and
amusing with here and there passages OF considerable
merit There is duo IN the third act which only just
tails Of being remarkably good and there IS headIonl
polka galop which will set u the light feet IN Europe
dancing before this carnival Is over. The costumes,
however which have designed partly by NJ. Grevu
and partly by NJ Draner the most beautiful which
posed IN Le Roi Carottc." Nine. Judc's gypsy dress
in the irst copied by Grevn from Kegnaults
noble picture OF Salome, IN possession OF lie.
Cassn and after this had been done, SO anxious
colors exactly that tho most expert dyers were em-
p!oyed obtain stuff OF tho lively and delicate tints
required. The finale OF the second act, where more
than hundred persons appear together upon the
rious IN tho national attire OF the Low Coun-
tries and twcvo OF tho ballet girls wear
faithful pattern Of tho Marlen Isiandcrs' dress,
which Is not unlike Russian costume. In lke
IRON photographs taken IN Holland tor tho purpose.
The Imaginable part OF the play was probably that
III which tho Flemish folk, intoxicated with oxygen,
determine sacrifice Doctor Ok TO appease thor un.
are obliged ascend high whcro the Doctor Is
phosophicaiy watching their antics and breathing
perfectly wholesome air. AS they mount higher aud
hghcr their anger gradually dmnishes. and whon NJ
rounds tho Of science whom they intend TO tear
In pieces, they invite him politely 10 dinner.