San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-09-15
OPENING SUCCESS.
FIRST NIGHT OF THE THEATRICAL
SEASON.
Jolly Nellie McHenry and Compa-
ny Fills the Bill Every Time
Notes on the Household.
Reuters Inning.

Last night promptly at Z o'clock, the
doors Of the Grand opera house, Rigsby 6
Walker, lessees, opened for the thea trica
season of 4-'95, with Nellie McHenry
and company the attraction in the ever
popular comedy success "a Night at the
Circus" Up went the curtain at S.1s
O'Clock, while the orchestra played the
overture and the crowd of first nighters
streamed in and the play began. During
the entire evening, until the curtain rIng
down at last, the house was treated TO
the most rollicking lot of fun it
is possible TO imagine could be crowd
ed into one play, and the audience
was convulsed with merriment at the
many skitS and fresh fun introduced into
the action. "A Night at. the Circus" is
more than the title implies; it is really a
night at the circus, at the comedy, and the
vaudeville, the latter of the very best
The specialties of dancing, singing, roller
skating, guitar and violin music intro
duced were very well given and all the
topical songs we're hits, particularly the
quick improvisations of Miss McHenry
and Mr.. Bradbury, in the song, Il Think
So"
The play was repeated for matinee this
afternoon and tonight is the farewell ap-
pearance of the company this season
In this city. The members of
Miss McHenry's company are as follows:
John Webster, Joe Daily, J. II. Bradbury,
Alt. Pearce, Billy Barry, Jr., Henry Zah-
mock, Alice PennOyer, Minnie Jarboe,
Rose Gautier, May Taylor, Maud Taylor,
Nellie McHenry.
The Billy Barry, Jr., who took the
character of Kicker" is the son of VIM.
Barry, the celebrated Irish comedian
well known in this city where he former
ly composed one Of the firm of Barry &
Fay, appearing in comedy at the Grand
Opera house.
The appointments at the Grand Opera
house were thoroughly made and all
worked like machinery. The door was
held down by Assistant Manager Henry
Brown, while Tony Garcia, head usher
held his ushers well 10 hand and showed
that this part Of the working force was
thoroughly capable Of handling even the
largest audiences.
The usherS are Tony Garcia, Jim VIII
lanCeva, Hayden Smith and Jack Watts.
Musical Director Franz Miller and his
orchestra played the following musical
program:
Hungerine LutspieI
Overture, by Kela Bella.
Esmeralda Polacco.
az Mephisto gavoCte, by Miller.
b) Tout vous Mazurka, by Miller,
Burton Billings was the first man to
buy ticket ana go into the house this
season. He was handed back his pur-
chase money and became the guest of the
lessees and managers for the evening,
they eSteeming it good omen as well as
an old time custom TO do so.
Manager Walker has fitted up the box
Office in fine style and he holds his ievees
there between acts, with the press men
and his other friends.
Pat OHara'S electric fans, which had
been placed all about the house. COOLED
the atmosphere. They were very neces-
Sary and were much appreciated by the
audience. Manager Walker, no viewer,
assures the public they will not be oper-
ated when old Jack Frost pays us a
visit
After the performance was Col. Billy
Reuters inning. Being an old friend
OF Miss MCHenry, Mr.. Webster and others
Of the company, he begged Mr.. Walkers
pardon and invited them all to SOiree
held In the ladies, parlor of his beauti-
full saloon. The SOlsOna orchestra
was in attendance, so was the portly host,
and lunch and refreshments were pro-
vided for the members Of the company as
well as for MeSsrS. RigSby & Walker, the
press and other gentlemen who were in
vited. The wee small hours caught the
loitererS, but the Mexican music caught
them more and they found it difficult to
say good night to Col. Reuter-, which
finally they were compelled to do,