The herald., 1897-05-25
. AT THE THEATERs
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Los ANGELES THEATER. - The
ubiquitous Br:tisher was very much in
evidence last night when her Britannia
inajesty's birthday was celebrated with
performance Of the ever green and al
ways enjoyable comic opera, III.
M. S. Pinafore." Seldom, If ever.
has there been seen so large a
crowd of loyel sons of st. George,
Knights of the Thistle and of St. Pat
rick, not to mention numerous and va
iious denizens of British possessions,
from Canada to Australia. Around the
doorway the familiar figure tn tweed
suit with turned-up trousers and smok-
ing the inevitable short pipe, was seen
in multiform array, Waiting for the last
moment to arrive for the surrender of
the weed and the endurance Of the "am-
ateur opera
But the crowds came floating in with
volume that asdonished the manage
ment. The house soon took on the ap-
pearance Of DeWolf Hopper night, and
then the curtain rose upon the perform
ance of "Pinafore," with the following
cast: .
Ralph Rackstraw..........R Robert Dunbar
Capt. Corcoran.. Tom z. Rowan, Jr.
Sir Joseph Porter, K. c. b.. Fl. r. Sullivan
Dick Deadeye. George A. Dalton
Bo'sun. Henry Mabin
Bo'sun's Mate...............S. r. Spangier
Silent Marine. VIII Manning
Tom Tucker midshipmite. Lillian Betcher
Josephine. e..........Jessie Padgham-Conant
Buttercup. Minnie Hance-Oweps
Hebe.. Lille Seaman
1t is fair to say that the performance
had received but little rehearsal, a fact
which was plainly evident in the work
of the chorus and in the business Of
the principals, But the solos we're rem
dered in a manner that was evidently
pleasing to the entire audience, for the
applause was most generous, and FREE
quent repetitions were demanded.
The parts were all, well takens. Mr..
Dunbar has a good voice and madesa
distinct hit, as did Mr.. Rowan, whose
voice sounds to the best advantage in
large auditorium. Mr. Rowan's maker
up was almost ferocious in the size of his
blonde mustache and beard, which were
evidently intended to match with wig
that was forgotten. Mr.. Sullivan made
capital Sir Joseph Porter minus the
flowing side whiskers which belong to
the part. Sullivan is born comedian,
and only needs to keep on trying. The
best sustained character was that of
Dick Deadeye by Mr.. Dalton. Lillian
Belcher, a miniature midshipman, did
hornpipe in a way that brought down
the house. Mrs. Hance-Owens as But
tercup was entirely too fascinating for
the character, fact that appeared to be
liked rather than otherwise. She was
in good voice and sang her numbers
charmingly.
Mrs. Conant as Josephine was the star
Of the performance and showed that her
voice has lost none Of its power or sweet
ness. The delightful number, Light of
my life, farewell" was splendidly rem
dered and largely on account of Mrs.
Con2nt's work in 1t was vociferously re-
demanded. It was therefore given again.
but minus Ralph Rackstraw, as Mr..
Dunbar, for some unaccountable reason
did not appear to join in the repetition,
an impertinence that was quite conspic
uous. rs
The performance was concluded by
the singing of "God. Save the Queen"
which was rendered by the large audi
ence and Conductor ModiniWood stand
ing. and wound up with three cheers of
the heartiest description.
ORPHEUM.-The usual large audi
ence crowded this. house last night and
witnessed with the greatest satisfaction
an unusually good bill The Midgleys
were there. as funny as ever; the baboon
and the donkey did their old tricks, and
the grotesque bar performers and wrest-
lers, Marzelo and Millais, excited much
laughter and applause. Their act is one
of which an audience does not easily
get tired.
The sensation of the evening was tho
appearance Of four chic young women
in short skirts and big hats, who sang
some very tame songs in a pretty, child
like way. They were accompanied by
a premiere danseuse who is an accom-
plshed ballet dancer of the most 1.-THE
and agile kind. She also tried to sing,
but wisely limited her after efforts to
merely saltatory exercises, in which she
was very successful. The five dancers
managed a change of costumes, and the
turn was made pleasing by changing
colored lights and other stage devices.
Fleurette and her four fieur de lis will
doubtless prove highly attractive
The old favorites, AL and Mamie An
derson, were welcomed as the warmest
babies, and the audience was 10th to
part with them, even for Adgie and the
lions. which concluded the evenings en-
tertainment. The comical and clever