The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-03-15
FAIRY QUEEN. I"
Brilliant Success of the operetia at
WhItley's Opera House Last

Hhltley's Opera House Last
Evening
The lively interest which the puHaic
always feel in everything with which
the children are connected was forcibly
exemphfed by the immense audience
which packed opera house Thur
day evening to witaess the presentation,
BY local talent, of the charming opere,ta
OF Fairy Queen" under the direction
of Prof F c Cnshman.
The piece is one which possesses all
of The elements OF altractIveness, being
replete in beautiful scenic effects,
charming music. and conveying withal
a moral lesson in a manner calculated
to impress itself with enduring results
upon the mind aud heart Of the seer and
nearer.
The operetta opens with an exquisite
tableau, Angels guard me- while l
Sleep" which was produced with splen-
did effect and awakened keen interest
in the performance of which it was the
prologue. This is followed by an act in
which the fairies in their grotto re-
hearse the joys of fairy land in songs,
pay homage TO their sleeping queen and
resolve TO visit earth to bestow their
gracious offices upon the unhappy fam
lily OF drunkard, whom they assist and
renner happy by their mysterious power.
The airy and suggestive costumes of the
fairies and their graceful evolutions,
which were performed with surprising
skill. absorbed the admiration of the
audience and evoked the most hearty
applause.
The score OF the opereIta is sprightly
and graceful, embracing variety oil
pleasing choruses, duets and solos, all
of which were most acceptably render
ed, Prof. Mills contributing much to
the success of this feature of the enter.
tainment by his excellent ACCOMPANY
ments on the piano.
The part of the Fairy Queen was TAX
en- by Mrs. I. D. Fox, whose fine vocal
powers found ample scope In num-
Der of beautiful solos, her rendition Of
which met with the most hearty ap-
proval of the audience, as did also her
acting of the part.
The Misses Eva and Nettie Finley, as
Effie and Mary, the drunkard's daugh-
ters, upon whom the FAIRIES shower ben.
efactions while they sleep acquitted
themselves with much credit in these
prominent roles, the singing by Miss
Eva Finley, of "The Drunkard's Poor
Child" being especially well received.
Miss Sarah Jones personated the "wife
of the drunkard and sang and acted her
part with much satisfaction to the au-
dience, while Misses Eva Sterry, May
Davenport, N. L. Rock, Jennie Sheldon,
Matte Griffith, Grace Wheeler and Alta
Hoagland as maids of honor, were we'll
up in their respective parts.
Win Burke, as the drunkard, assum-
ed that character with excellent success,
and created a very favorable impression
on the audience by his creditable act
ing.
w. r. Irwin, as Puck, the fairy clown,
was simply inimitable, and 1t would
puzzle the original Humpty Dumpty
himself to create more amusement or
appear more perfectly at home on the
stage than did this natural comedian
last evening, Without disparagement
TO any of the remainder of the cast, we
think it will be conceded that Irwin
made the hit of the evening, and if any
OF the male portion of the audience are
Obliged to have their vests rein
forced with buttons to-day he
should pay the tailor.
Professor Cushman made miser
mean enough to hate, and that is high
compliment to his acting. He sang
well, and in the preparation of the OPP
eretta has developed much talent as a
| director.
The lftle folks all did admirably, and
their appearance upon the stage in their
pretty drills and choruses was always
hailed with delight by the audience.