The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-10
AMUsEMENrs.


The Grau Opera Company commenced
its return enga cement of four nights at
the Seattle theater last night in Miiiocker's
tuneful BLACK Hussar'' to large and
appreciative audience. The favorable i'm
preston that the company made on the
occasion of its previous visit was more
than sustained in It's rendition both Of the
music and the action OF the work that was
made famous ten years ago by Col. Nc
Caui's big New York company. Had peo-
pie who were lucky enough TO have seen
the New York production been disposed
10 compare the two, the rendition of last
night would have suffered, but when the
size of the company. the place in the bust
ness occupied by the principals. and most
of all the scale of prices adopted by Mr.
Grau. were taken into consideration. the
work OF the very clever people of the COM
pany now appearing st the Seattle fheater
would rank well with that Of any travel
Ing organization now before the public.
The voices OF the responsible people are
all good. and further comment would be
invidious- They are equal TO the demands
OF the score. and the opportunities offered
are all taken advantage of in the way of
comedy work. Perhaps just few liber-
ties were taken that MiIlocker would not
sanction. but in no manner are they made
offensive. The conspicuous feature of Mr..
Grau's productions is that quality that Is
most essential TO smoothness and effect, al
though 1t usually comes in for less re-
mark than any other particular portion
or performance. and that Is the esprit
du corps of the company and the blend
Ing OF their efforts In making the entire
performance so with a snap. In that quail
ity Mr.. Grau's company. principals, chorus
and orchestra, combine, and the result is
altogether satisfactory. Individually the
best voice is that of Miss Alice Johnson.
although Miss Garlic Sings her part accept
ably and acts well. Mr.. Dunbar has a
flne stage presence. and sang the part as
signed to him last night spiritedly.
The BLACK Hussar." from the large
cast. gives individual effort a fine oppor-
tunity, which all took advantage of. The
scene is laid on the border between Ger
many and Russia. and the time. 1872. deals
with the war between France and Russia
Hackerfback, a magistrate OF Trautenfeld,
has two beautiful daughters whom he is
DESTROYS of saving from the soldiers of all
of the armies with which the nelghborhood
Is infested. He DISCUSSES them hideously.
and in his efforts in this direction, as in
al Others. he is aided and abetted by a
servant. Barbara Another member OF the
household is Piff Row, the factotum of
Hackenback, who occupies all the odds and
ends of office in the village. Trautenfeld
has been compelled to entertain the
officers of the armies OF the contending
powers. and his spirit is almost broken. as
well as his pocketbook. In order TO prove
his loyalty TO either side. Hackenback has
painted reversible picture. one side bear
ing the portrait OF Napoleon and the other
Alexander. BY an exhibition Of the wrong
picture and the fact that he answers the
description of a dangerous member OF the
Black HussarS who is wanted by the
French. he is arrested and thrown into
prison. Before this calamity falls upon
the Hackenback household his daughters
have cast of their masks and false hair
and have fallen properly in love with the
colone, of the h,Issars. who Is wanted by
the French. and who Is disguised as an
army chaplain, and another officer. Wald-
man, an adfutant, who is disguised as q
student There are not many compHca-