The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-03-16
a DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE.
The Fatanitza5COmPanyS eFenAded Last
Friday at the Whitley Opera
House by the K. 7.

Whitley opera house last Friday TO wit |
ness the closing performance Of Fatinit-
"a was the largest which has assembled
during the engagement of the Council
Grove dramatic company in our city.
The weather was more suspicious than
on any of the preceding nights, and the
intelligence which had gained circula-
ton to the effect that an agreeable sur
prise was in store for the troupe induced
many to go who had enjoyed the opera
before.
We had not supposed that any i'm
provement could be made over the per-
formances of Wednesday and Thursday
nights, but we are constrained to say
that the entertainment of last evening
was, without question, the best of the
four which we have attended. The cast,
somehow, seemed to catch an inspira-
themselves so entirely ia their parts, as
to carry the house by Storm, and awake
a degree of enthusiasm rarely seen in an
Emporia audience So firmly have the
personetors Of the leading TOles ingrati-
ated themselves IN the favor OF the pub
lie here that their mere appearance on
the stage last evening was the signal for
applause, which was redoubled as they
proceeded with their respective parts.
The harem scene last night was espec-
tally effective, and Ed White, as Izzett
Pasha. and the fonr charming ladies
who persOnated his wives, Mrs. APP
plington, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Fisk and
Mrs. White, won new laurels by their
excellent acting and singing. As for
Mr.. Applington, as Mnstapha, guardian
of the harem, we can only say that his
Interpretation of this unique character
is beyond criticism and is as perfect as
| it can be made.
Not less worthy of particular mention
is the Bashi Bazouk chorus, in which
Miss Lawrence excelled herself that eve
ming in the sabre contest, and the in
tensely thrilling rendition of that pas
sage in the opera was grand climax
long to be remembered by ali who wit
messed it.
The orchestra quite excelled itself and
added to the enjoyment of the entertain
meDt by rendering in superb style sever
al fine selections between the different
acts, which were received with the most
emphatic demonstrations of delight.
Mr.. Simcock, who is as full of music as
an egg is of meat, fills the position of
director with all the facility of an ex-
perienced professional, and made many
new admirers in Emporia..
Miss Mantey, who has made the EN-
poria people her debtor by the rare
treat which she afforded them in her
charming violin solos, played last even
ing in a manner only equa!ed by the
most accomplished virtuosos, and richly
merited the hearty cheers amid which
she retired from the stage
In this connection it is proper to note
that the large measure of success which
attended all the performances of Fati
niiza was largely the result of the ad
mirable method observed in bringing il
out and the acceptable absence of al
awkward bitches in the stage manage
ment of a play produced by a cast o.
over thirty persons. The delightful
smoothness with which the opera was
rendered is due, we are informed, TO the
efforts of Mr.. w. F. Lewis, who not only
sustained with the utmost credit one o
the leading roles in the opera but exer
cised, as we'll, a general supervision
over the details of its presentation
thereby showing an adsptability fol
dramatic work which is rarely found il
an amateur.
The great excellence of the perform
ance, however could not divert the mind
of the audience from a contemplation 0
the promised surprise in store for thu
company, and the attention was breath
less when, at the end of the second act
Mr.. E. s. Waterbury stepped upon thu
, stage and addressed the performers ID
the following well chosen. words:
? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Please b.
: kind enough to remain upon the stage
, make yourselves comfortable where yoJ
now are, and let the curtain continut
suspended few moments.
3 Notwithstanding the fact that the
walks, after dark, have been almost i'm
passable two blocks away from thI:
building, yet a large portion of our pop
ulation, and of the worthiest people Q
5 the city have attended some one of the
E four entertainments which you have Civ
, en-. We have expressed our approva
by our applause of the actors, in priVatl
and personal greetings and e0ngratule
lions through the columns of our public
press, and in almost every other posi-
: BILE manner. But we are not fully salts
, fed, and it is now evident that SOM
special and yet appropriate manifesto
ton of our gratitude is desired. Fol
( your entertainment therefore, and as
I hitting token, we have here present one
of our own institutions-the pride OF
our city, our knight TemplaTs band
l In The serenade, which they will at thil
f time give you We pay you the very high
4 est and best compliment which we car
offer. May this music he sweeter TO yoI
because blending in its beautiful strains
( are mingled the joyous congratulations
and the hearty good wishes of the peo
: pie of EmpOria.
= At the conclusion of Mr.. Waterbury,
address the band, which were stationed
: in the gallery facing the stage, struck
: up and played two charming selection!
; in their best style, which received thu
/ united cheers of the company and thu
: audience, and the curtain finally wen
down amid perfect thunder Of applause
The surprise to the performers seen
to be as complete as it was agreeable
and the splendid enthusiasm with which
they rendered the last act of the opert
gave evidence of their thorough appreci
alton of the well-merited compliment
bestowed upon them.
At the conclusion of the opera Mr.
Ed. White stepped to the front of the
J stage and in behalf of the company ten
dered in neat and appropriate manner
the profound gratitude of the Fatinitza
troupe over the many gratifying evi
dences of appreciation which had been
shown by the Emporia people IN con.
nection with their visit to our city, and
spoke words which Will tend to promote
the friendly relations which already
exist between ourselves and
our neIghbors at the Grove"
We can only add that their visit has
been the source of the greatest enjoy.
ment to our people. and that their efforts
to entertain the Emporia public have
been successful beyond the power Of
words to express. We recognize in the
Fatinitza company net only dramatic
and musical amateurs of high order oil
merit, but friends and neighbors, who
during their brief soiourn among us
have grown into our hearts, and parting
from whom is attended with pain and
regret.
We venture the hope, on behalf of ouI
people, that the experience of our Coun.
ell Grove friends in Emporia has been