National Republican., 1883-09-28
ADJUSTMENTS.
uIp VAN wfNKIT

Planquettos comic opera OF Grip Van
Wrinkle was rendered at Fords opera house
last night, aud in such manner a. deserved a
far better house than tho one which heard
the rendition. Tho opera il based upon the
same legend as the we'll known play, but Is
markedly different la treatment. Tho
singer, however, who porsouates Rip labOrs
under the very great disadvantage Of enact
ing part whose name and central thomo are
forever consccrated TO jefferson. With all
this disadvantage, however, Mr. W. IL.
Seymour rendered his lines most croditably.
There were some defects about his acting
tits true, such as elovating Rip from the idle,
worthless. and good Datured vagabond, good
natured because worthless that might be
Justly criticised were not tho opera an ex.
travaganza, hardly subject TO any rules of
art. There were at times, in his personation,
little of the Traditional rollicking Irish
man, which was hardly consistent with the
IIollaudish character, which is sedate oven
in its widest frolicSing. These defects,
however do not detract from the excellence
of the part as given by Mr.. Seymour. Miss
Alice May, as Gretchen Van Wrinkle,
both sang and acted the part very
of great power even robust, her gesture was
natural and easy, and the play Of her facial
expression admirable. Equally good, though
In different vein, was Miss Louise Kissing.
This lady displayed decided talent. As the
merry, coquettsh, piquant tavern keepers
daughter, Katrina she achieved success
Her voice is a pleasing one, light, and
rather thin, but sweet and admira.
bly, we'll handled. Mr.. Philip Bran.
son as Hans Won Boekman exhibited a
very fine tenor voice. strong and musical. IL
is at times harsh, a fault dependent more
upon the manner of using than upon tho
quality of the organ. He has q rather dis
agreeable trick of catching his breath, which
sadly mars the effect of his really fine voice,
Mr. Louis Raymond as Derrick Won Beekmln
did some very good acting, although not al
ways equal to himself. His voice, however
is always good, q superb barytone, full, round,
| powerful and musical He sang we'll
throughout. The chorus was we'll trained
and, generally speaking above the stand
ard of the average chorus. Mr.. Samuel
Reed as young Nick Veddcr was a
capital impersonaton of the young,
irreverent, chatting Teutonic American, full
of the impertinence and self-assertiveness of
the undsciplined young republican, but thor
oughly good hearted when the shell Of affected
rudeness is pierced This part, though a
minor one, deserves commendablo mention.
The mounting of the opera was very good.
and the several spectacular scenes, notably
that of old Hendrick and his crew, wore well
presented. Tho entire company has much
improved as a whole since its first nights per-
fOrmanee in this city
Next week the attraction will be Moths,
by tho Edwards Folly company. This mix
ture of opera and melodrama is being well re
ceivod wherever presented, and the company
is said to bo one of tho best musical organiza
tons of its kind on the road. The dialogue
of "Moths" is said to abound in wit ant
humor whilo the music is pronounced cx
cellent.
NATIONAL THEATER.
The success of the ''Sea of Ice" has been S,
great that it has been continued every nigh
this week, and will be given tonight and a
the matinee tomorrow. Tomorrow nigh
will be the only representation of the "Tw,
Orphans" Next Monday BARLEY Campbell
spectacular drama siberia" will be presented