National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-29
THE STAGE IN WASHINGTON.
- Pirates of Penzance," needles ant
Pins. Mary Anderson. x&e.

PIRATES of Penzance," "Needles and
Pins" Mary Anderson, &c.
The first amateur performance of the Pirates OF
Penzance" took place at Ford's Operations last
! night under the auspices of the National Rifles.
This organization is composed of the very flower
OF our Washington young men, and, although of
but recent growth, already numbers among its
friends and supporters the very best of our Wash
ington society. This fully evidenced last night
by the large, fashionable, and enthusiastic audi
ence that was present The number reminded one
of the crush at the Italian opera during Monday
and Tuesday nights last. while in character it also
compared favorably with those exceptionable au-
diences.
The performance was in the main decided sue
cess. The care that had been bestowed upon the
rehearsals was shown in the precision and har-
mony of the singing, and also in the case and
Notwithstanding to almost professional
perfection-of the acting This, of course, showed
the LABOR of the director and stage manager, the
former being Mr.. d. H. Mcleod, who has been in
defatgable in his efforts to present complete and
effective representation of this most charming of
operas.
The idea of seeing ladies whom one meets daily
in society, quiet and unreserved, or lively and
chatty ordinarily, grouped together upon the stage
in jaunty costumes and shortened skirts is pecu-
liarly pleasant; and one who, after beholding the
brillianty-arrayed chorus of the pirates last
night, with fresh blooming faces, sparkling eyes,
ington has no pretty girls has no idea of the beau
tiful: that's all. The choruses were all well
rendered, and some of them were emphatically
encOred.
OF the principals Miss Eva Mills naturally Sc
cured the largest share of attention, both ON ac-
count of her former reputation and also on account
of the large circle of personal friends which this
lady possesses. Her impersonatiOn of NdbeL was
superior to that of any professional we have seen
in the part. Her pure, sympathetic, and highly
cultivated voice gave new beauty to the vocal
score, while her acting was sprightly, graceful and
finished as the role demanded. Her solo, Poor
Wandering One" was exquiSitely rendered, and
was enthusiastically encored.
Mrs. E. r. True sustained the character of Ruth,
and did full justice to that difficult part both in
appropriate, and it was a decided anachronisIn
for Frederic to assert that she old and faded;
she in her rich, matronly beauty, which no make
Rodier, and Mrs. Macleod sustained their several
parts well, and gave to their renditions a grace
and refinement which is rarely seen.
Mr.. John o. Pugh made manly Frederic and
sang with his accustomed ease, while in his acting
he betrayed his former familiarity with the stage.
Mr.. Hay-Ned Hay, as he is Familiarity called by ell
who know him-gave 10 the part of General Stanley
the full benefit of his comic power, and was de-
cided success.
Mr. Louis p Seibold as the Sergeant OF Police made
n genuine sensation. The finish and comic effect
given TO this part by its representative i'll the
DOyly Carte troupe has made the Sergeant one of
the most pleasant memories of that company, and
to say that Mr. Seibold was fully equal to Standish
in his acting, while to the music his full, rich
basSo voice was a marked improvement, is to give
him but just praise. The emphatic encore that fol-
lowed his well-known song was fully deserved. Mr.
Hamilton Adams sang the part of the Pirate King
acceptably, but in his costume and acting he
seemed to be rather at sea. In these respects he
was excelled by his Lieutenant, Mr. W. L. Morgan.
Of course, one naturally looks with more leni-
ency upon an amateur performance than upon one
by professionals and usually mistakes and uncer-
tainties ofactiOn occur which are highly amusing
to the audience None of these glaring faults took
place last night but the entire performance passed
with remarkable smOothness, the only difficulty
being with the orchestra, who sometimes differed
materially in their time with the leaders baton.
There will be matinee this afternoon, and an
other performance tonight, and repetition of the
crowded house of last evening at both perform
ances may be predicted.