The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-05-11
WAs HTGHLY sUCCEssTU1.
Representative Audience Witnessed First
 Production of "Bobby Melville"

Production of "Bobby Melville"
 Bobby made his bow to the public last
 night, and a most neat and dapper lit-
 tie chap he is. His comrades were a
 jolly sort and after the second act we
 began to expect something of him.
 The scheme of his performances have been So abundantly advertised that the | plot of the evenings entertainment
 needs no further word.
 | Of course Lady Hargrave was the central figure during the whole play,
 ably supported by Hammond. who fur nished what there was of drollery. The
 stage setting was very good and for a play containing but seven characters
 was kept running wonderfully without | lapsing into dullness, and the audience were gently amused in listening to the squabble and wondering what the next
 caper would be Mir Bryce as Sir John | Hargrave made fine appearalce, spoke l his Hines with clearness and good taste. | His mother-in-law, Mrs. Heaton (Miss l Birf), had a capital makeup and while | her part was not prominent, filled her place acceptably. The Baron was rath-
 CT too generous in stage-made wrinkles and at times, at the Lodge, SO uncertain
 on his legs as to suggest the need of support; yet 1t was not his fault that when he was confronted with the Lon don Telegram article relating the dis graceful career of his prospective son
 in-law, he could only rush up and down
 the stage shouting. "The idea, the idea"
 The dance by Miss Ross and Miss Dc ,1o- ttr up1 yet here came a sense of disappoint- ment, as the hunting dance" promised led one to anticipate something charac- teristic. If Miss Ross had been support ed in the dance by Lady Hargrave in- stead of Bobby, the effect would have
 been complete. As it was, she carried off the honors with her willowy bend ings and fascinating twirls. Yet one could not but feel that as Magic Burgh she was quite neglected to weep her in- nocent tears, unnoticed and uncomfort ed. upon the piano top, while Hammond was telling the fate of her innocent lit- tie love-note. It was one of the few bits of natura1lsm when her excess of girlish feeling impelled her to pound on the plano keys.
 A dialogue is a very difficult thing to write, and there Is considerable of it in Miss Pardee's play. Tn the smoking scene Bobby makes some funny an- swers to Sir Johns queries, as when in reply to his question what rife he Bobby--used, Bobby says "Westches- ter" and the further remark about "bird bullets caused smiles. A good generous laugh just here would have been permissible and cheered the young author no doubt. The company was loaded with flowers, which were | gracefully received by Mr. Bryce but ! as for enthusiasm it was a typical New | Haven audience. Miss Pardee cannot | but be gratifled at the tribute of her | friends One seldom sees so fine rep resentative audience. Probably the | very fact of the strong personal inter- est centering upon Miss Pardee in such an undertaking held them somewhat In | suspense as to how she would acquit | herself.
 It was a very ambitious effort to | write, set and act such a. play as Bobby Melville of London" There are few in New Haven, at least, who would attempt such thing. Miss Pardee has proved herself of more than ordinary ability. The play in it's end Ing is weak but there is strong com mendation for it In that it deals only | with the harmless masquerading of a girlish wife. So many modern comedies are based upon intrigue and carry hidden slur that it Is really refreshing to witness one which leaves only the of fun and frolic.
 Most of the audience were in evening dress, and many handsome costumes were noticed. The boxes were occu- pied by Mrs. D. Hayes Trowbrdge and party, Hon. N. D. Sperry and wife, Nfr. and Mrs. C. S Mersck, MT. and Mrs. Wheeler, MT. Henry l.. Hotchkiss, Mrs Charles Mitchell MT. John Ed ward Heaton, Miss Kate Trowbridge, Also in the audience were General and Mrs. George H. Ford, MT and Mrs. Walter s. Camp Prof. Honey, MT. and Mrs. Rutherford Trowbridge, Mrs. Oenning Duer and daughter, Mrs. F. Fel1owes, and Miss Meta Eel owes, MT. Charles Gilbert, Mrs. E. G. 5toddard, Mrs. E. S. Gaylord Miss Elizabeth Dudley, Miss Dudley, MT. and Mrs. Frank w. Guion, MT and Mrs. G. B. Martin Harry Ensign. MT and Mrs VI. B. Newton.
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