Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-16

DRAMATIs PERsoNK.
W. J. II. Bowl.
Capt Corcoran, (Tenor). .......-.....C. y. Lucas.
Ralph Rackstraw, (TenOrl ...............h NIkle'
Dick Deadeye, Bass HAN
Bill BObItay, Bass L. hhees'
Bob Beckett (Bass X, ~; JAMES INT,
Tom Tucker, Master Charlie LUCAS
Josephine. SOpranol Miss Nellie Sweeney.
Little Buttercup, (Soprano) ...:..MissA Z. Tracy.
Miss Rose McNaughton.
First Lords Sisters, His Cousins, His Aunts !:
sailors, Marines, etc, comprising q chorus of
fifty voices.
The play is "an entirely original
nautical comic OPERA" and is a bur
lesque TO the last degree, and as such
abounds with the most laughable fea-
lures. The Admirals free and lax style
of regulating matters is an immense
take off on the rigid discipline prevail
ing in the British navy, where every
commander is an autocrat on board hls
own ship. His early life and appoint
ment TO mis- position as Admiral, is an
excellent, though perhaps unintentional
burlesque upon the American cabinet
Appointments OF the Secretary of the
Navy, it being r. lated OF Thompson, the
present incumbent, that when he came
10 Washington and saw ship, he
looked down into the hold and eX-
claimed: "Well, well! why bless my
soul.if the id thing amt hollow"
Mr.. Downs PRESERVATION OF this char
acter was excellent. He has not much
voice, but the manner in which he
grasped the ideal of the author was alto
gether creditable. Some of his quaint
remarks were original and several times
caused thrill Of laughter through the
audience.
Mr.. Lucas Captain C0rcOrdn was very
acceptable, his fine figure and good act
ing uniting with his voice in making the
character an excellent one. Mr.. Ankles
sweet tenor in Ralph Rdckstrdw'S part
was heard with the usual pleasure, and
he rendered the character very well.
The duet with Josephine was one of the
finest musical efforts of the evening.
Mr.. Hall as Dick Deadeye and Mr.. Rhees
as Bobstdy made capital sailors, though
the performance of the latter was some
what marred by cold. Little Charlie
Lucas made as dashing little MILDLY as
ever was mast-headed or made love TO a
captains daughter.
Miss Nellie Sweeney made pretty
captains daughter, and seemed in ex-
ceilent voice. Her department, though
modest, was entirely devoid OF any
nervousness, apparently, and she was
Sc eral times loudly applauded. She
sang particularly well in the duet with
her lover lin the play and in the trio.
Miss Tracy's Buttercup was admirable.
Easy and self-possessed, and with a
full, strong voice, she acted out the
character thoroughly, appearing to best
advantage in the duet with the Cap
tain. Miss Rose McNaughton, as the
AdmiraPs principal cousin, presented a
most pleasing appearance. She has n
fine cOntralto voice, and the only regret
is that there was not more opportunity
to make it heard. Its assistance in the
semi-choruses, was marked.
The SISTERS and the cousins and the
aunts," with the crew OF the "Pinafore, J"
made a fine chorus, which was one Of
the principal attractions OF the opera.
The ladies', some OF Wheeling's prettiest,
were appropriately clad in white and
bright colors, and the sailors appeared
in a nobby uniform of navy blue. The
marines, a squad of the Lindsey Cadets,
come in for share of praise for the per-
lection of their execution of the manual
without command and to the music.
Certainly the opera was a success,
both in itself and in its presentation.
The characters seemed to have been
thoroughly interpreted, from the
Admiral, with his ludicrous disregard
of naval discipline and confidence in his
own powers and attractions, down
through every member Of the chorus.
Everything was attractive, the fine
music, appropriate costumes and strik-
ing situations, and the selection Of sing
ers was as good as could have been
made. 1t would be lucrative il arrange
ments could be made TO perform in all
the neighboring towns, as Steubenville,
GAINESVILLE, Washington, &c, where
professionals rarely visit.
Tonight, with the prestige Of one sue
cessful performance, and with the adj
vantage OF the additional ease and prac-
tice, something unusual in the way of
an amateur opera may be expected, and
from the present appearance OF the box
sheet, large audience will be present
to enjoy it.