The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-25
nUsIc AND DRArlA.
A sHO WHAT PLEASED.

Two exceptionally fashionable audiences
witnessed the matinee and night perform
ance OF "1492'' at the Crawford Grand yes
terday. At the matinee performance all
of the parquet and dress circle were &C.
cupied, and at night every regular chair
and box in the house were occupied, be-
sides two hundred extra chairs which
were put in for the accommodation of the
great crowd. There were several large
box parties. and taken in every way it
was the biggest Thanksgiving show ever
given in Wichita A carload of special
scenery carried by the 1892 company dis
placed the time worn and familiar scenery
of the stage. which, with the aid of the
calcium lights. was very beautiful. The
music all through the play is pretty, in
spring and tuneful. and the singing was
very good. The chorus girls were gor-
geously costumed, pretty and attractive.
with a few exceptions.
Stuart as the daisy Queen Isabella; and
Neil Mcneil, the well known comedian.
as King Ferdinand, are the principal char
acters. Stuart is certainly a most clever
soprano, and as a female impersonater is
a success. The male Patti under which
name Stuart is featured in this produc-
ton, is a revelation TO the audience. He
has an excellent nigh soprano voice and
was applauded after every song. He rep
resents the part well. He Is tall but
queenly, and never forgets that he is por
traying a female character. Without be-
ing compelled to tell the audience that ii
is man who IS acting the part he man
ages to deceive a great many people until
that stage of the play is reached where
in one of his specialties he makes use Of
his male voice in such a manner that
there is no mistaking his sex. His con-
ception of the walk Of high bred lady
is perfect. AS stated. all the chorus sing
ing was good. Neil Mcneil as Ferdinad.
and afterwards the tramp, was excellent
He was the particularly bright fun maker
whenever ne was on the stage Mr. Terry.
VINO impersonated the royal treasurer.
made a decided nit by his marvelously
graceful dancing.
In the second act dancing was executed
by Johnny DOugherty, while Miss Madge
Davenport sang coon sOong quite clev-
erly. In this same act the Trocadero
quartet, Messrs. Priseau, Lomier, Birnes
and Sampler, sang a number Of ballads
and coon songs very sweetly. Stuart gave
the act which made him famous on the
vaudeville stage and the scene termin-
atsd with a patriotic finale. which was
quite novel and pretty. The last act was
almost all new and served 70 gather the
strands OF the play together and make a
happy ending. OF the minor parts. the
work OF Miss Thompson as Bridget de
Murphy. deserves especial praise. and
Miss Kent sang swee;ly as the love worn
Joanna. The part of Columbus was well
taken by Mr.. Joe Birnes. who had an ex-
cellent make mp for the part and pos
sesses a pleasing baritone. and is very
handsome. The only thing in the entire
show liable 20 unfsvorable criticism was
the march in the several acts which was
not up TO the standard Of the balance OF
the show. The living pictures OF Miss Gil
more particularly pleased the audience.
The next big spectacular production OF
this class viii be by the Sad Sea
Waves"