The Evening critic., 1882-02-18

EOrd's Opcru.hOusc.
Tho "Jollitios" close tonight. "Two Nights
In Rome" next week.
National Theatre.
Joe Emmett tonight for the last time.
"Black Crook" next week.
Capital Theatre.
Big bill tc-night at the Capital. host Of
new attractions next week.
Fisk Jubilee Singers.
The famous Fisk Jubilee Singers appear
again tonight and next Monday night at tn
Congregational Church.
Theatre Coniquc.
Jerry Cohan's splendid drama, " The Mollio
Mnguires," is n big thing. big bill VIII be
on next woek at the Comique
The Smugglcrs.
'The Smugglcrs," bright, sparkling opera,
with many catching airs and ringing choruses,
the Joint composition Of our fellow po, citizens
sousn, leader OF the Marine band, received
Its first production at Lincoln Hall last night
hall was we'll filled, and grand orchestra,
conducted by Prof. Sousa In person, con-
tributed much to the success OF the opera.
Stage room was limited, but was atno timo
uncomfortably crowded. though as many us
seventy-ive performers were grouped on 1t at
times, and the scenery, prepared expressly
for the opera, gave n charming effect.
The cast wis in the hands Of local amateurs,
excepting, perhaps, Eva Mills and Mrs. josie
Logan, a Boston contralto. Tho argument Of
the opera is very simple. 1t is In two acts,
with one scene, n rocky mountain pass, the
stronghold OF q band OF smugglers, who in
troduce themselves when the curtain rises
with tho announcement:
"smugglers we,
We carefully
Parade ourselves where none may see"--
q thrilling chorus, which tho fifty selected
voices rendered with excellent effect. Their
queen MRS. Josie Logan, a wi low, has been
informed by the fates that she must marry the
first stranger taken captive By the band.
Ndteo ~. +. II. Blois) and Tito (E. ]. Whipple),
her lieutenants, offer her their fortunes and
hands, but she declines, though admitting, In
pretty solo, that "a widows life'sa lonely
one." In the meantime Enrique (John Pugh),
q shepherd boy, in search OF his sweetheart,
Vioidnte EVA Millsl who has been made cap
tive, drops into the camp in disguise and
regrets, as she considers him her ideal of a
husband, but she cannot marry volunteer.
Then Easi9se and Violdate meet, and .Love,
Kind Love-" a trio, is sung magnifcently by
Tioldnte, Mdtoo and Tito, subsequently towed
into a rich quartet by the assistance of
sings the gem of the opera, "rhe maiden sal
with folded hands," in expressing her distress
at being separated from her lover. The latter
throws Off his disguise and sings, "Come to
these arms that long to hold thee" which
clicits repeated rounds OF applause. Mr..
Pugh's stage business needs improving for
last night by stiffness. Very shortly after that
| sensation is created in the camp by the
arrival of Mr.. Montmoreacy Stub6S (E.
cockney, who declares, after setting
up his camera "to have n go" at the scenery,
| that he has "leaped and climbed like a blawsted
| goat" in ridiculously amusing manner, which
| Introductory air makes him the hero and IA
vorite Of the enemy. StU66S is married, but
| being the stranger, is declared king against
his will, and 1t is decided that after he has
committed ga deed Of bloody daring" he shall
marry the queen. The Englishman kicks, and
| creates great deal of fun, and endeavors tt
escape, but grand chorus
crash stranger, do not fly us,
There's danger II you try u.s.
brings him back, and he subsequently con
sents to accept the situation, and then the
preparations for the wedding begin
StuJ6s, in the meantime, getting drunk
| and calling on his subjects to "Bring forth tn,
fiery, untamed deed of blood,' and after
| series Of ludicrous situations Enrique turn.
| up again, the smugglers are captured by
| squad Of soldiers (National Rifles, commanded
| by Lieut.. j. +. Oyster and ]. F. Rule), VIII,
| sing brisk chorus, do some remarkably fin,
| drilling and rescue Stubs just as he is abou
| being married. Vi0lonte is turned over tC
Enrique, the Queen consents to marry Mate
| and the opera ends happily. Everything
worked charmfngly, though perhaps a more
acceptable contralto than Mrs. Logan woulc
improve the role of Queen, and Stubs would be
more striking IL Mr.. Hay did not overdo 1t IN
the drunken scene and had less ''gags' tc
offer on local subjects. Altogether 1t was @
charming performance. The opera will be re