Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-08-13

ROSEBUD OR THE SLEEPING BEAU
TY-On Friday and Saturday evening
of last week there was presented to
delighted and appreciative audiences,
this most charming and picturesque
little operatta. The play was gotten
up and composed entirely of home tai
lent and without fear of contra diction,
we might say, that it was by far the
prettiest performance ever given in
Gand Rapids, and moreover complete
success.
The play was nominaily under the
auspices of the Episcopal and NJ. E.
societies but in justice to the promoters
of it, would say. that it was gotten up
by two ladies, Mrs MacKinnon assis-
ted by Mrs. j. W. Cochran Mrs.
MacKinnon had charge of the children
drilling them, teaching them their parts
and making actors and actresses out of
the raw materials, (the troupe was
composed of 81 children varying in
ages from 2 to Ii years, } and it was in
great measure on account of the un-
firing patience and determination
displayed by this lady that success was
achieved. Mrs. j. Cochran bad charge
of the other details and to these two
ladies alone is due success of the play
The different characters sustained
by the children were ably rendered,
among these we would mention The
Queen Nellie Nash( whose natural
dignity and ease of manner captivated
all. The King { Isaac Witter) entered
into his part with great spirit and
acted his role to perfection. The Ouch
es (Maud Brasted) as lady in waiting
proved great success. The Lord
Chancellor (Glen Williams) was splen-
did. he acted out his digni6ed position
with becoming gravity. The nurse
Lottie Lynn as Mrs, Camp charmed
all by her acting and sweet voice.
Spitfre (Stella Bel anger) showed nat
ural ability as an actress and as the
wicked fairy, her acting was excellent.
The good fairy { Ida Hoskins) delight
ed and pleased the audience by her
sweet pretty manner on the stage and
her violin solo showed her to possess
extraordinary musical talent for one SO
young.
The prince (Arthur Demarais)
showed much promise as an actor and
whose natural assurance proved that
he is quite at home on the stage.
Rosebud { Pearl St AMOUR held her
role in reality as the beauty of the
piece. The fairies delighted and
pleased every one with their dancing
and singing--they were too sweet for
anything. The cook Heber Tibbits J
entered with zest into che spirit of his
part and was loudly applauded. The
pages, beef eaters, courtiers, guards,
&C., all showed their careful drilling.
The costumes were particularly good
and appropriate. Mr.. Ellis Kroner
had charge of the musical department
and during the evening played some
choice selections.
| The success of this play shows con-
clusively that these home talent
entertainments are thoroughly appre-
ciated, it, moreover, does US old folks
good in as much as we attend them in
| spite of ourselves and enjoy ourselves
at the expense of the rising generation
! The sleeping beauty was we'll perform.
ed, we'll put on the stage and as such.
would put to shame many first class
troupe who visit our city. The attend
ance on the first night was 436 persons
on the second night (being stormy
r 1876 persons; total gross receipts abou
$4,000. *