The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-04-17
AMUSEM ENTS.
Academy of Music.

That the opera of robin Hoodn has not
waned in popularity was shown by the large
and enthusiastic audience that filled the
Academy last evening. The opera abounds
in light, catchy airs that have been the musi-
cal rage for some time.
Everyone is familiar with the plot of
"Robin Hood and there are but few who
do not know, ..OhI Promise Me- as sung by
Jessie Bartlett Davis. Mary Palmer sang it
last evening, and awas heartily encored.
As Alan A. Dale she was charming, and her
sweet contralto voice made her singing a de-
lightful part of the opera. Then too, the
audience was grateful to her for acting as a
foil to the outrageously homely chorus sing
ers. They certainly must to use a slang
phrase) travel on their voices; not on their
faces or their figures.
The star of the cast was, of course, the
original Sheriff of Nottingham, the cele-
brated jerome Sykes of the Bostonians.
One is tempted to be sssuperlatively superla-
tive'' when writing of his good work. In
every part he was equally commendable,
but was especially well received in the
thinkers scene" where he sings and dances
so admirably.
Robin Hood without Jerome Sykes cannot
we'll be conceived of, for as principal char
acter and as stage manager he is lndlspens-
able. He would make an excellent Sir Toby
for a sTwelfth Night" production.
Caroline Hamilton, the original Maid
Marian. divided the honors of tae evening
with Jerome Sykes. Her voice was clear and
bell-like. Her solos, sung with expression,
won her hearty applause. Maid Marlan's
first song in Sherwood Forest was en-
cored twice. Miss Hamilton subordinated
herself to her part, and as an actress was all
that could be desired. With Miss Palmer
and Miss Balch she constituted the trio pos
sessing all the beauty of the company.
Agnes Stone as Dame burden, and Ethel
Balch as AnnabeL. filed their subordinate
parts admirably.
81. S. wentworth as Robin Hood was a
SsIargeD disappointment. He was evidently
chosen for his size and for his tenor voice.
He was at his best in duets and quartettes,
but as an actor was decidedly wanting.
Louis Casavant as VIII Scarlet sang three
bass solos with good effect, the anvil song
being especially well received. Little Johns
part was well filled by Edwin Isham, who
acted the character con afaoTe. His solo,
sThe Nut Brown Ale" was one of hits Of
the evening and was twice repeated.
Jenes NickoEds as Friar Tuck was inimir-
able. He played the jolly old church man to
perfection, and had a voice SO like that OF
jerome Sykes that he seemed a brother to
inch than any other man." The friar sur
rounding himself with the magic circle, was
q comieal sight.
Ross David played the british Guy of Gis-
borne excellently. He would make a fine
Sir Andrew Ague Cheek to jerome Sykes
Sir Toby. On the whole Robin Hood was
q great success and ought to attract large
audiences throughout the week.
The HoR Tom.
The change of programme at the Bon Ton
yesterday and last night was an excellent
one and If possible presented a better bill
than that Of last week. A good house
welcomed the change and laughed until the
curtain dropped at eleven ocIock, at the wit,
humor and wisdom displayed. Hafnes and
Pettingiu IN their new act were extremely
funny and the dancing of Mile. RiaIta was
grace p~ersonifed. she was as favorably re-
ceived by the audience as she has been night
after night at Hermann's Theatre,N New York.
Bonnie Thornton was at her best and she
sang with much sweetness and effect. Mile.
! SabeI was a favorfte from the moment she
appeared, and Ward and Curran received
constant applause while doing their act. The
Martinett brothers did some marvellous
things and Edwards and Kerneil kept the
audience laughing. John r. Harty and