Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-09
GOSSIP OF THE STAGE.

GOSSIP OF THE STAGE.
Manager Henderson Makes a Great Hit In
the Revival of "Mikado"-Grand Open
ing of the Bijou Season-General News
From the theatrical World.
THE tenacity that Gilbert and Sullivan's
''Mikado" has upon the public was best
evidenced by the immensity of the audience
that assembled at the Duquesne Theater last
night. The house was crowded upstairs and
down, and by O'Clock it was impossible to
obtain a seat. 1t was the initial representa-
tion Of the "Mikado, or the Maid of Titipu,"
by the Garrow Opera Company, and to say
that a signal success was scored is hardly
putting it strong enough. "Mikado" COM
panies have come and gone, but rarely has
there been one that gave so clever produc-
tion both nusically and in histrionic sense.
Miss Laura Clement, who is naturally a
woman of beauty, never. looked prettier
than as yum Yum. More than that the lady
has remarkably sweet, clear and sympa-
thetic voice that is cultured and every musi-
cal number that was her own received a
hearty encore. Mr.. John Brand not only
looked but acted Pooh Bah with all the dig
nifty and lordly graciousness that so well
BELTS the high and mighty man of many
offices. It has often been said of Miss
Augusta Roche that no better Kotfstd ever
existed. With last night as an evidence, it
is safe to go step further and say for Miss
Roche that of all the Rdtishd's who have
visited this city her tmpersonation and con-
ception is by far the superior. Particularly
can this be said of her singing, Mr.. Henry
Hallam met all the requirements OF No'lktpoo
in most acceptable manner. He was in
good voice, acted well and met with much
favor from the audience. If there is a
laborious role in the opera of the ''AIikado"
it is certainly that of hO-Ro. Mr.. Charles II.
Drew, who assumed the character last night
as he has assumed it many hundreds of
times before, injected enough comedy into
the festive Ro-Ro to keep the audience roar
ing with laughter from his first appearance
until the final fall of the curtain. His local
verses introduced into the singing Of
and apropos and were demanded over and
over, until the gentleman had to plead sheer
exhaustion as an excuse for desisting. The
Mikado was intelligently handled by MIR.
best opportunity he has had during the
present season of comic opera. He had the
singing down to a nicely, and his singing
0FHu f was % e8pseted 9ah that % Miss Lillian Swain
would make pretty Pitt Sing, but the little
lady made a decided hit and brought several
encores, making all possible of the only op-
portunity given to this character in the
opera. The Pish Itlsh of Mr.. William Under
wood, the Nce6dn of Mr.. Robert Stanley,
Miss Josephine Stanton as Peep-Bo did the
well costumed, the choruses were given with
vigor and dash, the posing and tableaux
were all good. The "Mikado" will be given
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs
day evenings and Saturday matinee. So
many requests have been made for the re-
production of the Bohemian Girl'' that it
will be given Friday and Saturday evenings
of this week.
THE season at the Bijou has been opened
and everything points toward success. In
fact Bijou and success are synonymous in
The immense crowds that waited
tln Of fho ir,ol los ,irrI,t
plenty to attract their attention in the won-
derful changes that have been made since
that great playhouse closed its doors to the
public last spring. For weeks carpenters
and decorators have been at work. Every
thing has been frightened up and retouched.
There is wonderful profusion of electric
lights. One would hardly know the lobby.
1t has grown 20 brilliants. Not only there,
partment has been renovated and re-
paired. There is also large amount
Of new scenery and the old has all been
retouched. As for the list of attractions,
they have all been published. Bobby Gay
Ior, in sport McAllIster" last night, proved
1T least that the first attraction Is a success.
His ready Irish wit will prove drawing
card for the entire week. Mr.. Gulick has
also been busy at his desk picking up the
threads, and now everything is in shape.
Ons of the most recent bookings is that
of Mckee Rankin's great work, Abraham
lincoln" about which such a furore has
been created. The play will be staged in
style. Elmer Gradin, who
axes the part of abraham Lincoln, is said to
De natural living picture of the martyred
President. He is tail, iank and bony, and
lis face is q counterpart Of that Of Lin
,oln.
THE Grand Opera House will open the
eason Monday, August 81, with the brilliant
-oung comedian, Mr.. Milford Clarke, in the
ollow1ng English comedies: "The Runaway
datch," "The Babes in the Woods" which |
title has since been used for a musical bur- |
esque Married Life, ~ as we'll as Goldsmith's |
omedy of "She Stoops to Conquer" and the |
terling Engligh comedy of paul Pry, or |
Iope Don't Intrude." |
THE Fall of Pompeii still continues to do |
ood business. The special features that |
re being introduced have greatly added to |
Is patronage, and the crowds increase with /
very performance. 1t will be given this
Teek on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
THE Salambos, a vaudeville company Of
he highest order, will appear at the
academy this week. Everything about the
promised, especially as this is Manager
Williams opening week.
"THE LIMITED MAIL" will follow Bobby
taylor at the Bijou. 1t is from the pen of
Inner E: Vance, and has been spoken Of
lost highly.
LILLIAN SWAIN, the Pitt Sing of the Gar
ow Opera Company, has jumped into de-
ided favor with the patrons of the Duquesne
heater.
JAMES RILAY, who will be seen here this
lonth, has been entertaining the Grand
-rmy veterans the past week in Detroit.
HARRY DAVIS museum will open its regu-
IT season on August "a with the LilIiput1an
pera Company in Cinderella"
MANAGER HENDERSON, of the Duquesne
heater, is the very first to make success
summer opera in Pittsburg.
MARK TwAIN's laughable sketch, 'STom
awyer," will be the opening attraction at
[arris' Theater next Monday.
THE Worlds Museum begins IL regular
sason tomorrow with full list of good at
-actions.
RosE CoeHLAH viii open in "Dorothys
dilemma" on August %, at the New Park
heater.