The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-28
"pRINCE$S BDNNIE.D


"a hit, palpable HIT" and wlthal a
gli:terlng. gratifying and pronounced
success was this delightful and tuneful
| creation Of Willard Spencer as given
, last night a the Opera House under the
direction Of Mrs. J. 3. Shipp. to whose
tireless energy and fine organizing abili-
! ty is in largest measure due the I'M
| paralleled success of the presentation,
which will help to build the new city
| hospital
When the curtain was rung up on the
| first act revealing specially painted
scene Of Names rockbound coast. near
| Bar Harbor, until the curtain descended
upon the animated picture of court
| yard In sunny Spain. the audience fill
! ing the house from pit 10 dome was pro-
| fuse and lavish in admiration and appro-
! baton Of the tuneful music so brilliantly
sung and the libretto SO effectively act
| ed II may be tru:hfully said that never
in the annals Of amateur opera In this
city has q n opera been so effectively cast
| In principals and chorus and so magnif1-
Gently staged and cCGtumed.
TO Miss Matte Boswell was entrusted
the difficult role OF Princess Bonnie, and
| her chara cterization was q superb offer
| Ing in voice and action. Invested with
a part which Is filled to overlooking
with beautiful numbers, Miss Boswell's
rendition places her pre-eminently
among the very best Of our amateur
| operate vocalists.
Kitty Glover, The chic and lovable in
the hands OF Mrs. Frank Stanley. was
an ideaization., I, is doubtful If q pro-
| fessional could have lmbued the charac-
ter with more life, vlvaclty, verve and
winsomeness than did this little lady.
| Endowed with marvellously sweet
voice and dramatic ability Of high order,
Mrs. Stanley captured The audience COM
| p!etely with her winsome portrayal and
| her song with the Spanish students.
kiss me, kiss me- was rapturously re-
ceived.
Miss Sallie Williams lent her charming
personality and magnificent contralto
voice to the portrayal Of Aunt.e Crab,
| ana was mos: heartily received as her
delightful rendition really deserved
The stately Donna Pompcso was given
most effective dignity and stage action
| by Miss Mamie Lawless, who sang the
! part IN excellent voice.
! Roy Stirling, the romantic disciple Of
! lsaak Walton. in Mr.. Henry Totty's
hands was exceptionally well sung and
acted. Mr.. Totty's fine voice enabling
| him to give rendition Of the part as
| thorough and effective. vccally, as pro-
| feSsional, while his acting was easy and
graceful.
Shrmps. the love lorn. as given by Mr..
| j. n. Anderson, was unquest.ona bly, the
MT OF the evening. Mr.. Anderson il:
| funny. overwhelmingly so, and added to
his fine comedy abilities he possesses a
voice wei adapted to the character m ade
| famous by Frank Daniels. From The
rise Of the curtain to Its fall, Mr. Ander-
| son had the audience with him.
Mrs: Sh!pp might have sought long
and far to find an individual better fitted
| for the role OF old Captain Tarpaulin
| than was Mr.. George McDermott This
gentleman really looked the part. sang
| 1t oWerfully and acted It perfectly
With delightfully."- easy stage presence,
| great dramatic ability. and clear reso-
nant voice. Mr.. McDermo.t was superb
Mr.. James +. Dunbar was the heavy
villain. Coun. Falsetti. and right goot.
villain he was. both In voice and ac-
ton His duo with Mics Boswell was de-
c.dedly we'll sung and acted.
The great Admiral Pomposo, with dec
orations galore. was enacted by Mr.
Charles Mclean in admirable style
while Mr.. Frank Elliott as Salvador, his
body servant, created much amusement.
Miss Lee Wellner sang q solo charm
| lngly and Messrs. VIII Flournoyas Can
| tain Fuzee, and w. r. DaushSfey' a
! Captain Surf, were clever and effective
Not the least of the actions Of this
brilliant presentation We're tho beautiful
dances Introduced by Professor Bellaz-
| "a. Of Norfolk, the young ladies' in these
| terps. ch Dream divert :erents ev.denc.ng
the guidance OF his master hand by the
grace they displayed Miss Lottie Pin
ter:ng recognition.
The smoo:hness Of the performance, ef-
iectiNe groupings. and stage settings at
tested to the ability Of Mr. E. NJ Isaac
| a. stage director.
burglar RunGH.
Monday night Officer Hoofnaele was