The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-17
A Madhouse Mikado.
THE COMIC OPERA GIVEN AT THE DAM
VILE ASYLUM.

THE COMIC OPERA GIVEN AT THE DAM
VILE ASYLUM.
In the top story of the State Lunatic
Asylum at Danville there has been
bailt a beautiful recreation hall. 1t
has a neatly fitted stage, a decorated
ceiling and comfortable seats. A gal
lery projects over the rear portion, and
Just as in regular theatres it is patron
lied by the bad boys or worst cases
in this colony OF disorganlzed brains.
There has been several concerts, lectur-
es and magic lantern exhibitions given
to amuse the inmates bpt it remained
for the Starr Opera Company to give
the first legitimate performance to the
insane in Danville.
The Mikado was the opera selected
and its effect upon diseased minds was
observed with interest by the physicians
and attendants. OF course the men,
bers of the company were nervous.
When Signor Carlo Torriarri looked
out and saw the piano surrounded by
over six hundred crazy people he turn
ed pale and his color only returned
when one of the doctors and Manager
Starr assured him they would sit along
side Of him. Curiosity kept the patients
quiet until the curtain rose. Only a
few bars of the opening chorus had
been sung when half the audience was
swaying in time with the music. When
Mr.. Harvey entered as "Nankipoo,'
several of the females appeared struck
with his beauty, when he noticed three
or four began throwing kisses to him
he was himself nearly thrown off bis
lines. Mr.. Kyles' entrance as "Poo-
Bah had a quieting effect, except up
on one lady who insisted on standing
up and pulling an imaginary long mus
tache, such as the giant baritone wears.
No sooner had Frank Deshon sang his
first song than burst of laughter fol-
lowed. 1t was interrupted by the shout
from an excited female, who evidently
up to this point imagined the company
was singing hymns.
"The curse of God be on ye," she
cried, "He will curse you if You laugh
at that little man. Attendants quiet
ed her Just in time.tor another to say:
"He has pretty hands, so small, baby
hands" The entrance of the female
chorus, the bright dresses and odd cos
tunes seemed to please. Miss May
Duryea, Miss May Douglass and Zazel
the three little maids, were received
with marked approval. Several gentle
men at once began to convince them
by signs that they were just too pretty
for anything. They were encored.
When "Ko-K Ko' said of "Yum- YUM
"This is my bride that is to be- A
deep voice rang out from the audience,
"Don't jump in the fire, if yon marry
you'll be in the fire, don't do it" When
the kiss duett between "Nanki-Poo'
and "Yum- Yum" was in progress it de.
lighted all but those who had fallen in
love with "Yum- Yum" and "Nanki.
Poo" One man sang out, That amt
right, she is my girl while two of the
lady patients were almost ready to
make their way to the stage to stop
the kissing business so jealous were
they of "Nauki Poo"-Harvey. The
stirring chorus of the finale started sew
eral. In one spot man stood up
keeping time with his mouth and dane
ing. Another was playing an imagin-
arv fiddle, second was beating a
phantom drum, while third was di-
recting with as much vim as if he was
Theodore Thomas conducting the Nat
ional Opera with three or four prlnci-
pals kicking so as to make him good
humored with the instrumentalists.
Tie second act went wei, the quieter
portions of the music aroused the reli-
glous tendency of some who would
kneel in prayer. One or two went to
sleep, and in the midst of the ''moon
and T. song one poor unfortunate was
carried out in a fit. When 'Nanki
Poo" proposed to let "Ko-Ko" behead
him Deshon took the sword and acted
as if about to do SO. One of the lady
admirers of the tenor Immediately pro-
posed TO stop the execution.
"You have no right to take his life,'
she exclaimed "Jesus only has that
right. l won't allow You to kill him.
He is mine if he aint true to me and
kisses that ugly little woman"
Charles Osbornes entrance as the
"Mikado," aud Miss Maggie Baxter as
"Katisha," was again effective in
greeting the audience When the
''Mikado" suggested punishment of
boiling oil and melted lead it pleased
all evidently who thought "Ko Ko"
richly deserved such punishment.
One, however, insisted on informing
the "Mikado' that "Ko-Ko' was tell
ing him pack of lies.
When the curtain fell the applause
was great. just what the effect would
be could only be told by those in
authority. Manager Starr received a
letter of thanks from Superintendent
DR. S. S. Shutz, in which he said
81 desire to thank you and all the
members of your company for the
handsome and very generous entertain
ment you were kind enough to give
our folks. Please accept this express
ion of my appreciation of your court
esy. 1t was a red letter day among
the patients who will for weeks remem
Der and talk of it. Your performance
has effectively for the time being al
least Il hope with some for much
longer time) turned their thoughts out
of their diseased channels"
1t is in such acts of kindness thai
endears the Starr Opera Company tC
the public and insures their success.