Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-29
AN IMMENSE SUCCESS
Was the Delightful Comic. Opera, t1'Ermnie," by Amateur Talent at 0'9ren'S Last
 hight-Matinee This Afternoon.

'Erminie,' the tuneful. delightful com ie opera, presentedfby amateur talent last night at O'Briens, was the greatest sue cess of the season. -~F&f
 Fully a half hundred beautiful women and gallant men were in the cast. and all aided in making the performance what it was-a success without a flaw.
 The cast of characters was as follows: Marquis de Ponvert. t...........C. ". Warren Eugene ae ......J .no.' 'i.'' NJ 3 caTtwrlght 4 Captain Delaunay. ......., Luman Handley simon. n.......................G George D. Allison DuIors .......'........ Il. R. w. w adeson sergeant. nt........,....... ..Charles Ledbetter Rayahnes.. ....,....................Sa Sam Blake Ernest de Brlssac. ,.... Jafnes D. Gillies Cerisse. Mrs. ID. A.. Little Princess de Grampeneaux.. Marie. ..... ...............M Hiss Bessie O'Brien 5ayotte. Jassst Momie Terrsl Err1inie ........ Mrs. c. Lawrence Lavretta
 The personnel of the chorus was as fol- lows:
 Misses Margaret o'Brlen, Mary Claire Miner, Mamie Cleary, Madge Parsons, Elise Ball, Merrill Frank, Cherry, Ella ton Reece, Annie O'Brien, Elvira Lewis, Corliss Lewis, Virginia Graves, Seay, Mary McCrossin, Adeline Bostick, Smith, and Messrs. Plosser, Stapieton, Archer, c. F. and ". H. Manly, Newman, Bos- tick, Crane, Yates, Connell, Cooper, and a contingent of the Birmingham Ri- fles under Lieut. Charles Ledbetter.
 Too much cannot be said of the exquis ite singing and acting or Mrs. Lavretta in the title role. Birmingham bows ac- Acknowledgement to Mobile for the lending of her noted song bird on this occasion. Mrs. Lavretta's sweet voice has been heard here before, but never did she sing so well as on last night. Graciously did she respond to the generous encores often given by the enraptured audience.
 Mrs. F. A. Little, Bessemer's contribu- tion, was also very charming and grace ful, and sang and acted as if she were born actress.
 Mrs w. H. Jones was an admirable princess Ond won her share of the honors of the evening.
 Miss Bessie O'Brien, beautiful and ac- complished, sang and acted well and de- served all the applause given her.
 Miss Momie Terrell charming as she always is, was full of life and spirit and entered into the evenings performance with her whole heart and soul, winning honor after honor.
 Miss Mamie Manly acted well her part ahd acquitted herself in due accord with the others in the cast.
 MT. c. w. Warren was very clever as the Marquis, and Hon. B. M. Allen as the gay chevalier was happy selection. Mr. J.. M. Cartwright acquitted himself in a befitting manner. MT. Luman Hand ley as captain of the guard was natural and at ease, as a soldier always is. Mr. George D. Allison was capital waiter and was always received with applause
 MT. Wadeson was very good as the inn keeper but Messrs. Blake and Cowin as the thieves in disguise wer7 the hit of the evening. MT. James E. Gillies as de Brissac was very good and sang well.
 One of the prime features of the even- ing was the excellent maneuvers of squad of the Birmingham Rifles under Lieutenant Charles Ledbetter. Their 1-1vements were as precise as clock work And as fine as ever seen at OBriens. A happy conception during their ma neuvers was the appearance on raised pla tform at the rear of the stage of Miss es Mome Terrell and Elise Ball with a large Confederate flag. The chorus was well trained and added much to the even ing's entertainment.
 Miss Terrell is deserving of great cred it for the arrangement of the dances and stage pictures. Mr Gillies proved him self an admirable stage manager and MT. F. F. Williams sustained his past reput ta ton as a director. Miss Amy Jor- dan, the pianist was as good as could be secured.
 The floral decorati tions were from the conservatory of MT. William Lindsay
 The orchestra was well trained and rendered the music in capital style.
 The electrical effects were the work of Messrs. Harris & Williamson, and to these gentlemen much credit is due. The most noticeable feature in this particular was the word "Erminie" in electric fire at the top of the stage.
 The performance will be repeated at matinee today.
 Weber, the clarionet king, and his matchless brass and reed band and orchestra will 1elioht tho m hIic 9t East Take