Daily Republican., 1879-10-17
THE MILLARD'S s.PINAFORE." "
The Eesi Rendition OF II. M. =.
''PinafOre" Ever Given 10 q VIII.
mingtOn Audience.

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The Millard Club always produces
something good, but last night they
certainly excelled all their previous
productions in the admirable rendition
of q. NJ. s. "Pinafore. Their effort to
please the public was appreciated by a
crowded house, the aisles and window
recesses even being occupied ,and owing
to the admirable manner in which the
Millar1 distributes its favors the audi
ence was choice one, entirely divested
of the rowdy element. The only objec-
ton which could be noted against the
audience was their too frequent calls
for encores, which prolonged the per-
formances to late hour. This, how
ever, with such an audience was high
ly complimentary to Her Maiesty's
ships crew.
Though the Millard were but ANA.
teurs as stated by Mr.. Stone at the COM
mencement there can be no doubt that
they made better rendition of Pima
fore than any company, adult or juve-
nile, white or black, that preceded them,
and the fact that the whole crew from
Commander Joseph down to his uncles
his cousins and his aunts, with the
single exception Of Miss Clara J. Rau,
who took the part of "Josephine," in
place of Miss Conner who was sick,
were selected from Wilmington home
talent, entitled the performance to the
appreciation which it received from a
Wilmington audience. The credit Of
the excellent training Of the performers
was due in great measure to Prof. G.
B. Rhoads who had charge of ths per-
formance last night.
Prof. Fullmer almost made the piano
talk in audible language, and DR.. j. M.
Curtis made an admirable stage mana.
ger. The acting throughout was con-
spicuous for its originality, the leading
performers having the ability to supply
original thought and action wherever
they could be used appropriately. Mr..
C. |. Howell in silk knee breeches,
stockings and slippers, tinseled velve.
coat, and ebedecked with sword and
medals Of honor, made a conspicuous
and inimitable commander. George W.
Stone, as Captain Corcoran," could
not bs excelled, and his melancholy ad-
dress to the men was heartily encored.
As "Buttercup" Miss Eva P. Crouch
was conspicuous for her originality, and
had way of her own Of doing things
that was preferable to mere hum-drum
recitations. Without detracting any
thing from the well earned merits of
Miss Conner who was sick, it is but just
to say in the substitution of Miss Clara
J. Rau as Josephine" nothing was
lost by the audience. She has a strong
musical voice and she was frequently
encored. Mr.. VIM. J. Fisher acted
"Dick Deadeye" to perfection; w. w.
Lebdell could not bs excelled as"Ralph
Rackstraw;" N. R. Benson, Jr., as
"Bill Bobstay;" Fred We'll, Jr., .,as "Bob
Beckett" and J. H. Lewis as "Tom
Bowline," were at home in their re-
spective parts.
Master H. b. McIntire as "Tom
Tucker" though but a midship mite
is entitled to much credit for the cor
rect acting of his part. Miss Ida A.
Carswell as "Hebe" admits of no criti-
cism. During the whole performance
there was nothing that was SO heartily
encored as the dancing of the "Sailor's
Hornpipe," by Miss Blanche Vain
wright. The appearance of Mrs. Wales
and Mrs. Cooling as the aunts of Sir
Joseph, added variety to the company
Of performers. Conspicuous during the
evening were Sergeant l. P. Wicker
sham and privates Bayard Conard, H.
Dixon, H. r. Robinson and G. N. Dure of
The DUPONT Guards, who went through
with silent manuel of arms in the grand
,horuses.
In conclusion it may be said that the
Millard were happy in the selection Of
H. NJ. S. Pinafore for treat for their
friends and they have succeeded ad-
nirably in pleasing them.