The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-11
THE THEATERS.
Comic Opera, Living Pic
lures, Drama, Burlesque.
Providence Opera House.


Comic opera will form big lump of the
stock OF amusement In this country this
season. That sort of pastime has always
been popular, and the success attained by
certain productions dignified by the name
OF comic opera OF late has opened the gates
| wide Tor the comic librettist and the
| Jingling music writer. When the libret-
list ana the music writer had concluded
the theatrical manager hired his company
| TO support the star. The company in
ciuded large number of shapely
women, one or two knock about
comedians with regulations made on
the variety stage, several performers with
| specialties that would fit In almost any
where, one or two good vocalists, a pile OF
attractive scenery and trunk loads of
shining, handsome costumes. most of
them skin tight; dialogue that is best
comprehended outside Of polite society
and an abundance OF horse play and then
you have what is the popular thing In
New York and what is bound, of course,
to be the amusement OF the country for
little longer.
"Tabasco" seen for the first time in
this city at the Providence Opera House,
last evening, fits the description exactly
with this difference: 1t has musical
wick, its composer, has good reputation
and he has not lowered it any by this pro-
ducsion. IL can be said that he gets
deeper into the affections of those who
love tunefulness, exhilarating movement
and harmonious passages. His first ACT
end is worthy of the best of light opera,
and his overture attracts attention at
once. 1t promises something to follow
and the promise is kept by music away
and beyond the kind generally accepted as
good.
The libretto is only of the average order
the idea being perhaps unique and for the
time being amusing. The work has been
arranged nicely for the star as il gives him
an unconventional stage entrance, and the
song, '" Swim Out O'Grady," puts him on
the best OF terms with the audience at
once. That was the case last evening and
OGrady had to swim out in dozen verses
before those who braved the heat and
O'Clock storm were satisfied.
Thomas q. Seabrooke is a great burles-
quer. He Is natural comedian, and looking
at him the beholder is impressed with the
belief that he loves to act and make peo-
pie laugh. He is eminentiy successful at
both, and whether the piece is " Tabasco"
or Cock Robin, Seabrooke is practically
the whole show. Nothing can dim his
peculiar humor and the capable and clever
work of his supporters only accentuates
the capacity OF the star. Dennis O'Grady
Is mirth- provoking caricature and Dem
MIS- costumes are original and funny illus
trations of how fertile in resources Sea-
brooke Is. He is an interesting player in
whatever he undertakes, and is almost a
whole burlesque in himself alone.
The auaapn bIa ~ ssra no acoV a.. ;,.ruS.
sive. A stageful OF handsomely costumed
principals and chorus, freshly painted
and gorgeous scenery and blending har-
monious colors delight the eye and set
fancy free for q revel with O'Grady, and
the other characters filling up the scenes
OF the quay at Tangiers and the palace
garden.
Mr.. Seabrooke had competent second
in the sprightly, shapely and pleasing
soubret, Elvia Crox. She can sing, dance,
and move with graceful abandon
and her part helped to make
the evening pleasurable. Miss
Catherine Lingard looked charming as
the slave and sang effectively, and Miss
Carrie L. Perkins looked strong and
handsome as the passe harem favorite.
She had good many friends in the
audience who remember her as
Dixey's merry mountain maid. The
three funny soldiers also made hit. One
of the prettiest things In the performance
was the ballet in the palace with Mile.
Paris as premier danseuse. "Tabasco"
will remain here this evening and tomor-
wished to be entertained, see it..