The record-union., 1892-03-08
AMUSFM ENTS

There was good and well-pleased au-
dience at the Opera-house last night at
the opening of the low comedy week.
The farce-comedy, Fun in Boarding
School," is very laughable, very absurd,
and as good as any of the farce-comedies,
without being so preposterously eXtrava-
giant as many: For instance, there is
something Of plot, and the characters
are Eot made mere butloons, nor cos
TUNED out OF human Semblance. Mir.
Elletord, who made his first appearance
here, is very clever low comedian, is
naturally humorous, has not to assume
it, nor TO distOrt his features to provoke
smile. His comedy acting is quiet and
undemonstrative, but none the less is it
genuinely artistic. He kept the audience
in roar of laughter by his assumption of
the stupid fun-loving servant of the self
opiniOnated school principal, perSonateu
by Mr.. Craig in an admirable manner.
He appears to take as easily TO the gro
tesque and the true in comedy as To the
heavy villain in melodrama or the aged,
irascib old nobleman III drama OF
society life. Miss Jessie Norton had the
Soubrette part, rOmplng. 1un-IoVlng,
teasing tomboy OF q girl kept in Juvenile
costume by mother who desires to be
thought still young. Miss Norton sang
several songs with good effect and accom-
panied some by Il few steps that prove
that she can dance If she wishes to.
She made much OF the part, and was
often encored in her speciaities, while
Mr. Elletord was complimented by very
liberal applause. Mr.. wood, Miss Car
man and Mrs. Bishop successfully sus-
tanned the parts allotted to them, and
Mr.. Ferguson made Il hit as a Hollander.
The farce comedy was success, ana to-
night will be even more so, since a first
night is always accompanied by some
little embarrassment as to the business
of the piece. The same play tonight.
Manager Norton announced from the
stage that Friday night another new
comedy, The Lightning Rod Man."
Will be put on, and that Monday night
next he will take a benefit, when he Will
do his change act, in which he will make
SIX distinct changes, opposite in charac-
ter and costumes, changing dress, shoes,
wigs, hats, caps, and bonnets instantane-
ously, without leaving the stage and in
full view OF the audience, and while he de
lineateS by song and dialogue the chang
ing characters he represents. There viii
be mixed bill for that night. The Ellie
ford engagement concludes this week.
At the Metropolitan Theater tonight
Conried's Comic Opera Company will
sing the great New York Casino success
Poor Jonathan written By Carl Mil
1OCChtls l1S NOAu t)OoGl VI Lie Di6iCh
Hussar," 1.-The Beggar STUDENT and
other comic operas, about two years ago
at the suggestion Of Mr.. Conried, who
was then visiting Vienna. MIR. Conried
wanted something nOvel-different from
the general run OF comic operas-and the
idea struck him that one with an Ameri-
can subject, devoid of the picturesque
and gorgeous costuming, which is con-
sidered the necessary adjunct of comic
opera, would take in America. 'Poor
Jonathan" was the outcome. Either Carl
Milloecker became very much American
lied, or Mr.. Conried conveyed to him his
idea in very complete form, for the pro-
duction IS thoroughly permeated with the
flavor of Americanisnl.
The plot Is amusing and interesting.
New York is the scene OF action. Ruby
gold, bonanza king, luckless in his suit
for the fair Harriet, and weary of sup
porting the responsibilities of bis vast
wealth, transfers it all TO Jonathan Trip.
his cook. Poor Jonathan takes every ad-
vantage of his change in position, and
here is where some of the most excellent
mOrSelS Of the opera are deVelOped
Finally, true love conquers, and Harriet
and Rubygold coming together, Jonathan
and the latter arrange about the wealth.
and all goes merrily on. There are forty
people in the company, which is a we'll
balanced one, and had entire success in
its recent extended engagement in San
Francisco. Among the names in the
troupe are those of Myra Quill Mireila.
Fannie d. Hall, Louise Hilliard, Kate
Trayer, j. Al0rich Libbey, a. w. f. Me-
Collin, George NJ. Herbert, II. L. Ratten-
bury and Frank w. Miller.
The Denver Republican says of the
opera: "'Poor Jonathan was pronounced
a complete success. 1t is tuneful. and the
solos and the concerted pieces, as we'll as
the chorus and orchestration, are always
pleasing to the ear, and III several in
stances they are melodiously ORIGINAL
Some of the airs may be whistleil on t6a
street. The libretto is equal, ii not snna-
rior, to the average lines in comic onare
and the company is good. A good deal
of the merriment, and there is plenty of
it, comes from the trials and tribulations
of an impresSario with his prima donna
The rest of the fun and the plot is with
the cook. who gets his masters wealth
for some time and enjoys himself at
Monte Carlo. 1t is easy to be seen that
there is plenty of room for merrymak-
ing.'
The last of the first series of afternoon
concerts at Pythian Hall will be given on
wednesday at 3 p. NJ. An excellent pro-
gramme is promised by G. A. Neale.
leader
Henry Rattenbury, a well-known
singer, years ago kept a restaurant on ]
street, near Third. He was piorfeer.
and resided here a long time. Henry