The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-23
AT THE THEATER.
The stage Hands Beneft-The Pr
rates To-day.

rates To-day.
The Midnight Bell was presented last
night al the Savannah theater. by Punch
Robertson. and his company for the ben
EFT Of the stage hands II was intended 20
produce the Serious Family, a new com
edy, but the non-arrivaI Of one Of the
company, made il necessary to change the
bill
The Midnight Bell is. beyond question,
the best play in the companys repertoire.
Punch Robertson appeared in the triple
role Of a tramp. an escaped convict, and
a millionaire, and did some fire work on
legitimate lines both In the comedy ana
dramatic scenes. The reading scene, pe-
tween Mr. Robertson ana Miss Won
Brause, was natural ana convincing. Miss
Queenie Dale was excellent, as she al
ways is, ia the small part Of d pert maid,
her rendition OF Mr. FOrdham's song,
Dolly, Dear" was heartily applauded.
Mr- Francis r. Fancy sang several songs
Ihat Nothing, proving 10 pc very pop
ular with the audience Mr.. Charles Nor
timer newcomer i'm the company, made
ms nrst appearance as Walter osborne,
and created a favorabl impression. The
remainder Of the company acquitted them
selves admirably in the roles assigned 10
them.
The play was well mounted and costum-
cd in a superior manner. Punch Robert
son and his company leave Monday morn
ing. Their engagement at the Savannah
theater was a very successful one. both 10
the company and TO the management.
The company has made many friends in
Savannah. and will always prove "a draw
ing card in the future.
The Pirates of Penzance viii be produc-
ed this afternoon and evening. A full
rehearsal took place last night at the
Catholic Library hall. and went with a
dash and swing which argues well for
the production to-day. II would be diff
hcult to gather together a finer number
Of voices than are employed In the cast,
both individually, and I'm chorus. Sir Ar
thur Sullivan's tuneful numbers, receive
full justice at the hands of Mrs. Finnie,
Mr.. Cuyler Gordon and Mr. Julian Wal
ker. The members of the chorus are pos
sessed Of well-traincd voices, being drawn
from the church chOirs Of the city, and
their numbers are given with great spirit.
The Pirates will be beautifully costumed
and mounted.
The brownies dance" by twenty-five
little boys, is very cleverly arranged, and
Brownies rescue "OGrady," made famous
by Mr.. Seabrooke in the Isle of Cham
payne" and Swim out O'Grady" will be
sung by Mr.. Samuels and the Brownies,
some topical verses have been written for
this song, and it will prove very funny.
In spite Of the heat last night. a large
audience was at the Savannah Cadets
benefit at Masonic hall In a programme
so replete with good things, It is dif1cult
to make special mention Of any without
doing injustice to the others
The appearance OF Miss Cicil ROssignal
who was on the programme for a fancy
dance, was greeted with applause. IL
was evident that Miss Rossignol was a
favorite, the reason Of which was patent,
for, even in a city where so much atten-
ton is given to fancy dancing as in Sa-
vannah, her graceful movements were
marked.
Master Sam Brown, II years old, sang
Picnic Girl" in such a manner as 70
call for hearty applause.
The recitation of Tennyson's Charge or
the Light Brigade" by Mr. 7. b. Gather
wood, was highly pleasing to the audi
Mr.. r. c. Gordon was at his best in his
rendition of the song, Home so Blest"
The Magic Wonder" alias Mr.. c. c.
Lebey, by his mysterious works, fully
justified the name OF Herman the Sec
admirers.
Messrs. J. NJ Black and f. J. Haslam.
as Sgnoretta Tivod and Slgnoretta Zeni,
deserved special mention for their concep-
| tion and execution of the Premier Bal
let"
Mr. William Quinnan, who has won an
enyiable reputation as an all-round FUN
ny man, produced much laughter by his
humorous recitation. His impersonation
of a Frenchman from Cork was so perfect
that some wag said you could see the
map Of Ireland on his face.
MI w. A; Reaves, who recently came
to Savannah from Madison sang 'tIIs-
erere, from II TrovatOre so wen as to
| intensity the good opinion of his singing.
Ihe soul that ala not respond to the
sweet strains evoked from mandolin ana
| guitar by the Papy brothers must GER
tainly have been FIT for treasons. STRAIT
agemS and spoils."
Master Brown, who had already Great
! ed such favorable impression, strength
ened II by his song, Il Want You, MY
/ Honey"
At the conclusion of the performances
dancing was commenced.