The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-05
PRINCESS PHOSA.
and jolly
Opera Is Pre-
scented.
BENEFIT OF GRAND ARMY.
Catchy Songs and Funny
Dialogue By
Amateurs.
BENEFIT OF GRAND ARMY.

An interesting event in the musical
world was the production last night
of a comic opera by Charles F. Han
son and John NJ. Kendall of this city
Both are well known, and the produc-
ton was of unusual interest for per-
and the performance one of six to be
given for the benefit fund of George
H. Ward post, G. A. R. The theatre
was well filled.
The performance was a distinct sue
cess, as a whole. 1t will undoubtedly
go smoother tonight, but in many par
ticulars the first night was perfect.
There are some admirable pieces-an
exquisite lullaby in the first act, several
brilliant, singing choruses in the second.
The love story in the third act is a
masterpiece. 1t is a duet and it lost
nothing in the excellent and vivid rem
dering given by Mrs. Gray and Mr..
Floyd.
The characters Mr. Kendall has Gre
ated were in some cases inadequately
enacted, but some were interpreted
carefully. Mimos, king of Altruria, has
a daughter by a most imposing wife.
al lIe CHIlSleIliuS, the ldlTleS are III
vited, the imps are not, but they came
in charge of Horribilis, chief of Wiz
ards, and he throws out a hint that
at eighteen, Phosa, the daughter, shall
marry the son of a shoemaker. The
king says no, and Horribilis tells him
he will die at 4 p. m. on the daugh-
ter's 18th birthday, if anything hap
pens to Pierrot, the young shoemaker.
In the third act the king is having
his daughter wed Macmillan, a duke,
against the wishes of herself and Pier
rot The latter makes a bluff at sui
eide. The king hears of his death, and
prepares to die. This makes a very
comic situation. In the end, of course,
Pierrot appears. Phosa gets the old
kings consent, and the insane duke is
captured by the designing maid of the
princess.
Mr.. Van Dusen's work was uniform
ly good throughout. The part is ex-
tremely rich, and at every turn he got
some humor out of the situation. The
major domo was played by George c.
Halcott. His makeup as an old man
was very good.
Harry c. Robinson played the part
of the duke painfully well. He simu-
lated stupidity and awkwardness, and
succeeded in making his part conspicu-
Gus. Phosa was the star of the play.
Thoroughly in sympathy and under
standing, Mrs. Gray played her part
superblv, and sang with feeling. She
was supported well by Miss Rice.
The wizard and fairies deserve men
ton. AL the costumes were good.
From a musical standpoint the opera
will receive particular attention. 1t
deserves permanent success.
Following is the cast of characters:
Mimos, King of Altruria,
Pantiflando, Major Domo Of the place.
Maximnlan, Duke of T6Face,
Harry c. Robinson
Pierrot his son, John Lloyd, of Boston
Horribils. chief of the wizards,
Harry c. Robinson
Kahnt Wurk, Staten Jeffries
Wunt Wurk, Joseph St, Onge
Frank Judge
George O'Connor
Nino peasant boy, R. A. A. Chase
Euphrosyne, Queen of Altruria,
Amina, Phosa's maid. Miss Mile L. Rice
Phosa, daughter of Mimos and Euphro
syne, Mrs. Lillian Hanson Gray
Pepita, a peasant girl,
Mrs M. Van H Dinsmore
Herald, Lester Edwards
Fairies-Miss H. Louise Robinson, Mrs.
c. d. Norwood, Miss Bessie Overend,
Miss Lillian Airline Hall, Miss Lizzie
| Wilson, Miss Ada Whipple, Miss Ethel
| Grant Miss Laura Randall, Miss E.
| Lawrence, Miss C. Flemming, Miss An
ME Logan.
| Queen of Fairies,
Mrs. Lillian Hanson Gray
! Prof Victor E. Rocheleau, acrobat.
| z. f. Hanson, Musical Director
A. M. Van Dusen, Dramatic Director
| F'red'k T. Hanson, Stage Manager
John M. Kendall, Asst. Stage Mgr