Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-06-06
THE PIRATES OF pgnzAncE..
One Of the Best Performances Ever
Witnessed in Durango.

fair sized crowd assembled in
the opera house last evening to wit.
ness the presentation of the Pirates
OF Penzance" under the direction OF
Prof ]. T. Hicks. AS usual the au-
dience were slow in gathering. and
when the curtain finally rang up there
were still some vacant seats in the
back of the house.
But what the audience lacked in
numbers 1t made up in appreciation.
the applause growing more and more
enthusiastic as the plot developed.
At the end of the first act the audi
ence insisted on an encore. while in
act two some of the situations were
so funny that the house fairly went
wild. such as the polcemans chorus.
for instance. The opera is not all
funny. however. Interspersed here
and there are some lovely bits. One
particularly pretty was the ballad by
the major general, beginning:
Signing softly to the river
Comes the lonely breeze"
The actors parts seemed to fit them
like gloves: the voices were in ex-
cellent trim: the pictures made by
the different groups were charming.
Especial attention should be called to
the excellence of the music. the or
chestra consisting OF four pieces. cor
net, two violins and piano. So far
rs the costumes were concerned they
certainly contributed much to the sue
cess of the opera. Some were won
lerfully pretty, some ridiculously abb
surd. but all were admirably suited
to the part.
In short. 1t Is not too much to say
that the entertainment is the finest OF
my kind we have had this season. as
veil as the best opera given during
he past six years. Previous to that
iime the writer has no opinion to offer.
While a few lines can not do JUS
ice to any member OF the caste. still
vs. individuals as well as collectively.
hey deserve great deal OF commend
,tion.
Prof. ]. T. Hicks did some good
work. as Frederick, the part being
particularly well suited to him. Mrs.
ticks made n charming Mabel In
his part the voice work Is very diff
ult, with shakes and trills innumer-
bile. Personally the writer doesn't
appreciate that style OF singing. but
he audience evidently did. for they
'pplauded the singer enthusiastically
,fter an especially trilly solo.
J. p. Soens made splendid pirate
ding in voice and personal appearance.
'arrying off the part extremely we'll
Harvey Thomas as Samuel. the
ting's lieutenant was irrepressible
md bobbed up serenely on all occa-
lions whenever there was ghost OF
, show for him to get on something
ute.
Major General Stanley BARRY Sulli-
AM with his eyeglass. don't you
now. and nine charming daughters.
ladc very imposing figure Indeed.
ihe audience evidently considered
lin the leading man. they greeted
lin with pronounced applause. Per
iaps the truest idea OF Mr.. Sullivan's
citing may be given by stating that
or the time being he was Major Gen
,ral Stanley and no other.
w. H. Henderson made the funniest
sind OF police sergeant. the way he
handled his force was marvel to be-
lold. His manner OF welding his
ilub was astonishingly realistic. Hand
tome? Well. his likeness to George
Dale. our George, was remarkable.
The part of Ruth was admirably ia
zen by Mrs. Slough. 1t was funny.
,bsurd and pathetic by turns. The
'oice work was particularly good.
Never has Mrs. Slough sung better.
Miss Anna Meuser as Edith was very
entertaining and looked and acted the
Dart to perfection. Kate (Mrs. 8. &.
1organ) was likewise one OF the Cen
erals most interesting daughters.
Miss Fioy Weaver was lovely Isa-
bel
The chorus work has already been
'eferred to. Some OF the group pos
'uring was beautiful In the scene
where the ladies appear in night-caps
md gowns. bearing lighted candles in
heir hands. and the Major-General is
lad In the pink polka-dotted pajamas.
The picture Is very effective.
When yau go this evening. watch Tor
he night-cap brigade and the police
mems chorus. Whatever you do. Just
observe the Irish bobby wake up. It's
immense. l.. II. Smith doesn't look
like himself.
czkooI panulation