The herald., 1897-05-05
AT THE THEATERs
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ORPHEUM-The usual first night au-
dience society down stairs and an explo-
sive gallery above, was rewarded last night
at this house with the best bill that has
been presented for weeks. There was va
riety in 1t. and most Of the turns were
the best Of their kind. The juggler with
the historic name. and the stun and non-
sense team, Evans and Vidocg, were the
only hold-overs; the former does nothing
new to add to his lustre, but the latter
have an occasional lucid interval In their
stun and the nonsense is less vulgar and
antiquated in spots than last week.
OF the new people. the brothers with q
Teutondc name (Kronemann) and a strong
Gallo accent. made up as clowns. do some
exceptionally clean and clever work at
tumbling and balancing and have very
funny act an imitation Of railroad train
In reserve for an encore, which they will
probably deservedly get at each perform
ance. as they did last night.
MT. Harry Constantine. an alleged
comedian and burlesque female imper-
senator" appeared in black face. In the
nrst two scenes, where he tries to sing and
be funny, he was frankly bad; as ballet
premiere he did some nimbe and graceful
toe dancing that partially redeemed the
rest. s7'77
In the best of spirits as we'll as voice,
next appeared the Chevalier Guile and
sang Celeste Aida" from Verdrs operate
masterpiece as only such a consummate
artist as Guile can sing 1t. The notes left
his throat as they would that of bird,
with the seeming naturalness of perfect
art, and In response to enthusiastic ap-
plause he sang Gounod's "Ave Maria" af-
ter amiably insisting that Signor Romandy
mount the stage beside him and play a
violin obligato. Again he was called and
again he responded with Donna e Mobile
from 'RigoIette." and vet once again with with
the time-worn Marguerite that took on
new beauties in the luscious richness of
Guille's middle notes.
Harris and Walters, an eccentric comedy
| team, followed and proved quite as popu-
lar with the gallery gods as the tenor had
with the mortals in the pit. The man has
funny and vulgar makeup. has some
humorous business and a very good sing
ing voice; the woman, on the contrary. ha s
voice that would be benefited with an
application Of sand-paTer. but she is hand
somely gowned and makes a very agreea-
bic picture. Their conversation, however,
TENDS to coarseness in places that should
be expurgated.
The Merrilees Sisters. singing and dane
Ing artists. are on the same order as the
Bland Sisters of fragrant memory. Their
expressions of chaste Innocence, carried
out with dainty costumes of modest pro-
portions and a little French song that is
carefully sung so that not one word Is intel
ligibie, is very misleading for their second
entrance in which. with the chic and the je
ne sails quot of q French cafe chantant
singer, they reappear in slashed gowns OF
Powered silk and hats with nodding plumes
and dance and kick in a way that leaves
little to be either imagined or desired-and
yet 1t Is SO done that 1t is not vulgar-just
Fgench.
| The last act is quite the most brilliant
bit of aerial work that has been done here.
Delmore and Lee, two men who are 1.-THE
as race horses, agile as monkeys and strong
Of muscle as Hercules was supposed to be,
did an act on horizontal bar and rings,
and then on q suspended see-saw lad
der, illuminated with colored incandescent
lights. that held the whole house SPELL
bound while it lasted. and was applauded
with very honest and spontaneous shouts
of appreciation at the end. 1t Is an ex
tremely difficult and an exceptionally bril-
| liant turn.
The orchestra did good work all through
last night except in the Aida accompani-
ment, and In that 1t was inexcusably loud
fault that should be rectif1ed at once
Otherwise Signor Romandy deserves only
praise and his singing violin is not the
least part Of the evenings enjoyment. The
bill goes all the week with the usual matt
neeS.