The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-24
"PATlENcE" A SUCCESS.
a Big Audience Delighted With
the Performance.


ton of the Gilbert and Sullivan
aesthetic opera, Patience" by local
amateur talent. The opera in itself is
one Of the most fascinating of the popu-
lar pieces written and composed oy these
talented men, and the cast which pre-
sented it last night for the benefit OF the
Roanoke Light Infantry not only sur
prised and delighted those who in per.
formances of this nature are looking for
minor defects and shortcomings, but
rendered the opera very creditably from
professionals standpoint.
There was some delay in raising the
curtain and it WAS nearly o'clock be-
fore the audience, which almost com.
pletely filled the parquet and balcony,
were treated to the beau tiful tableau
of twenty "rapturous maidens' reclin-
ing In graceful pastures on the stage.
The costumes, mostly of the Grecian
style, we're attractive to the extreme
and with the many bright faces OF the
lady members of the caste, who needed
not the great skill Of the "make-up"
artist to mako them handsome, rendered
the scene particularly picturesque and
beautiful.
Mrs. j. L. James as Lady Angela was
the star OF tho cast. She was graceful
in her acting and dancing, and her rich
contralto voice was at it's best in the
many selections which in her part she
was called upon to render. The duet of
Miss Hartigan and Mrs. James, "He
Was Little Boy" was one of the
sweetest songs of the evening, and
deserved the prolonged applause that it
received.
Miss Hartigan, of Salem, in the title
role as Patience" a dairy maid, we'll
sustained the reputation which she has
had as singer of more than ordinary
note. Her high soprano voice together
with that of Miss Crane, as Lady Ella"
were distinguishable in the chorus
work, adding much to the general eff.
feet.
Miss Tiny Taylor, of Petersburg, was
great acquisition to the local cast, and
the part which she carried out at the
presentation in her ma i've city was very
accepta bly, rendered here. She was en-
cored for her beautiful song at the open
ing OF the second act, and her voice lent
power and sweetness 20 the selC ction by
the sextette and the chorus.
The hrjt appearance Of the red coated
dragons in the first act was warmly
received. Their singing was never
excelled by professional company
which has ever occupied the stage of
the Academy. r. w. Wood as Colonel
Calverley" took his part to perfection.
His songs were we'll rendered and his
stage appearance very pleasing He
has fine voice, and sang when l
First Put This Uniform On" with vim
that received we'll merited applause
Lanier Gray, as the Lieutenant Duke
OF Dunstable, made o most favorable
impression. He has a voice of great
sweetness, which needs only little
cultivation 20 develop into QUE of rich
ness and power.
j. William Friend, of Petersburg, as
the "Fleshy Poet" was at home with
his part. His Interpretation of the
character was excellent and his whole
wo:k was very creditable. His song OF
The 1Esthetic Young Man" was hit.
The other out-of-towp acquisition,
Frank Il. Walker, of Richmond, as
Archibald Grosvenor, an "Idylic Poet"
was also feature of the performance
He has good tenor voice and sang very
acceptably.
The other parts were very we'll taken.
Miss johnson was suffering from a cold
and although her singing was very we'll
received, il was not up to her usual
high standard as soloist
Prof. G. w. Scott, under whose direc-
ton the opera was given, deserves Il
great deal of praise for the work he has
done in training the soloists and the
chorus for their parts. He has again
shown his acknowledged success as
wielder of the baton, and the success of
tho entire production was largely due TO
MS eHorts.
The following is the cast of cbarac-
tiers:
Gilbert and Sulivan's aesthetic opera, "Paticnoc
or Bunthorne's Bride
Prof Geo w. Scott, Musical Director.
MAYOR %f MSrga t omccrs Ora j. B. L MSSH
Lieut.. Duke of COON Guards
Reginald Bunthornc, lc=hy poet -
Archibald Grosvcnor. IN idyllic poet
Mr.. Bunthornes solicitor Wilbur II Gross Gross
=, Chorus of officers and Dragon Guards: Me.srs.
Brugh, Fctzer, figgatt, norman, Mcintyre,
Kent, Coffin, Downs, II. Lazcll. Lncbacil. Swartz,
IraynEam, Johns Hart, Lemon, Eberhardt,
Lady s Anfn MIS- Mis- Rng Johnson
Lady adyy ha M"dens Miss Min5:Sre Crane
Patience, a dairy maid Miss Kathleen Iiartigan
Chorus of raoturoua maidens: Mrs. James,
Browning. Bessie Crane, Daisy Graves, Minnie
Lambert, Jnlia uaincs, Mamie iiillcary, Nellie
Manning, Jnettc Watson, o'Brien, Annie Man
ming Carrie Hawkes., Annie Hawkes., Carrie
Backus, Annie kinscy, Holman Kinscy, Mandc
Lambert and Sycster.
Flash light photographs of the ladies'
chorus and of the entire cast in cos
tune were taken by Linoback after the
performance last night.
Three Of the members of the "Pa-
tience" cast wore former members of
the famous quartette at the Christ
Episcopal Church last spring, viz:
Mrs. James, Mr.. Wood and Miss Crane.
Mrs. James now sings in the st. Johns
Episcopal Church quartette, as also do
Messrs. Simmons, Collin and Lazell
Shops Starting UP in tho West.