Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-01-11
A SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT By
STANTON AMATEURS.

House was filled with large and enthut 1astlc
audiences at the rendering of the "Sorcerer,'
an opera gotten up by the amateur talent OF
the city, for the benefit of the Ladies' City
Mission for the poor. The opera was COM
posed by Gilbert g. Sullivan. and is coten1po-
rary with Pinafore The plot, rich in the high
| ly colored fancies of oriental superstition, re-
minds us of the days when we read the won-
ders of Aladdin and sinbad. In the beginning
we have glowing pictures of the love of the
cbivalrous Alexis and the gentle beautiful
Aline. In his youthful ardor. Alexis proposes
to get a love potion and give it to the villa
gers. old and young. He summons the sor-
csrer, and contractg for the philter that is to
bring about a universal love-making.
The wild, weird appearance of the Sorcerer.
his lamentations, the lurid flames that show
themselves as he calls forth the spirits of the
neither world, all make picture both weird
and vivid. The potion acts, and amusing, in
deed. are the results. Each victim falls in
tensely in love with the person OF the opposite
sex first met after taking the magic drink.
Coy maids and cautious bachelors, aged spin
sters and hoary knights meet, and overlook
ing the barriers OF age and social standing,
love with the ardor of youth. AT the earnest
persuasion of Alexis. the lovely Aline herself
takes the potent philter, meets and greets
with expressions of love the old Vicar. Sad
and angry, the disappointed Alexis begs the
Sorcerer to break the magic spell. The Sor-
cerer has himself been met by the aged lady.
SangaZure, and conquered by the persistent
| appeals oflove, stirred by The frenZying drink,
and is 10th to break the spell. Only one means
can accomplish this-either he or Alexis must
| lose his life. The decision is for the Sorcerer
to die. and he soon slowly descends into the
| abyss amidst the issuing of sulphurous
flames. The spell is now broken, Alexis is
again happy with Aline's love, and the village
spinster and bachelor are as distant as Of yore.
This plot is richly studded with the choicest
gems of music. The most charming oil choruses,
arias ensembles, eniven the entire perform
ance. The instrumental music was finely REM
dered by Prof. Eisenberg, assisted by his tall
ented and well-trained pupil, Miss Mabel,
| Tinsley.
| The following is the cast of characters:
Allne, Miss Kate McGufhn,
Constance, Mrs. F. B. Berkeley.
Lady LangaZure, ...."............M1ss A. crosby.
Dame Partlett.. Miss Emma Grimm,
The Sorcerer, ......"..... ...A. Hoyelle.
Alexis, .....C l.. Cook g.
Dr. DAILY, Jane.
Sir Marmaduke. -........ Ill. Shirley.
| These were assisted by a chorus of thirty-five'
For the getting up OF the opera, the public
! owe much to Mr.. G. L. Cooke, who was in
| trusted with the no light task of organization,
by the ladies of the City Mission.
Some may have gone because they thought
the object laudable one, but they came away
feeling that they had not gtpe'1 one cent to the
poor, for all certainly got the full worth of
their money.
First in the role OF actors was the prima
donna, Miss Kate McGuffin. The full,yet plain
tive tones of her splendid voice made it pos
tive pleasure to hear her. The other actors
sustained well the parts given them and with
out giving the palm to any one, we will say
that all did well. All showed talent and
cultivation seldom seen in amateurs In
movement and costume there was no detrac
ton from the fine effect produced by the mu.
sic. The city has just ground to be proud of
the talent manifested on this enjoyable occa-
81 on; and those who have for the past two
months been lending SO much time and ener
ergy to the getting up and rehearsing OF the
Sorcerer. may we'll feel gratif1ed to know that
their efforts have been heartily appreciated.
These admirable entertainments given Thurs
day and Friday nights last clearly demonstrate
that we can. if need be, dispense with the i'm
the homesupply is ample in quality and guam.
tity 10 meet any ordinary or reasonable de-
mand.
The performances and atage-setting on this
OCCASION surpassed the most sauRuIpe expects
lions of the large audiences thai had the pleas
uTe Oh witnessing them, and gave more de-
light than many operas or dramas rendered by
professionals. The costumes we're the handi-
work OF the Misses Campbell, of this city.
The gross receipts were about S425, and the
net receipts about $500.
This fine amateur company would delight our
citizens If they would give them rendition
Of the "Chimes of Normandy
-<-
AUGUSTA AGRICULTURAL AND MACHINE
WoRKs.-The annual meeting of the stock
holders of this Company was held on the 9th
instant. AS previously stated, when reference
was recently made to this new enterprise, the
first year of its operations has been a very
| satisfactory, one. The following officers were
elected for the ensuing year: I. Witt, Presi-
dent; NJ. A. Butcher, Vice-President; W. II. h.
| Lynn. Secretary; and with these three the fol-
| lowing named gentlemen will constitute the
Board of Directors: W. A. Hudson, W. A.
Burke W. II. Weller, F. ". Hager, ]. ]. Stack.
| ST., w. L. Bumgardner c. L. Weller, Lewis
| Cohen. A. G. Braxton, P. N. Powell. The Presi-
dent, Vice-Presdent, Secretary, and several OF
the directors served in the same offices last
| year. The capital stock OF the company will be
considerably enlarged.
| Mr.. L. White, the Superintendent, is well
qualified for the position he occupies in this
establishment, having conducted 1t SO as to ac-
commodate miscell aneous orders for repairs as
we'll as making fixtures and machinery for fl.
ling special orders, and In establishing 1t as a
| mandatory OF certain lines ofimplements for
| which the demand is increasing.
ANDREss's CARNIVAL OF NOVELTIES AND
TRAINED ANIMAL SHOWS-Al who Witness