Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-05-27
SING HEY THE MERRY MAIDEN
TWO SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTIONS OF h.
NJ. S. PINAFORE.

Although it Is nearly a generation
since Gilbert and Sullivan set the world
to humming "Im called Little Butter
cup" Pinafore is not yet old. Age does
not wither, nor many thousand repeti
lions stale the catchiness of its music OF
the delightful absurdity of its story
And so, when the music-lOvers of South
Paris desired to present something which
should be fitting successor to the
Mikado, given last year, they selected
"H. NJ. s. Pinafore," and it was pre-
sented Thursday and Friday evenings,
under the auspices of the Pythian Sister
hood.
Several from Norway assisted in the
production of the opera. The solo parts
| were sung as follows:
The IT. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter. K. G. b.,
Verne Whitman.
Capt Corcoran, Hal X. Eaton.
Ralph Rackstraw, James Dunn.
Dick Deadeye Ralph Penfold.
Boatswain's Mate, Geo. A. Briggs.
Josephine, Mrs. Virgie Wilson.
Hebe, Miss Susie NJ. Wheeler.
Little Buttercup, Mrs. Nellie Andrews.
AS ruler of the Queens Navee Mr..
Whitman bore himself with appropriate
dignity, and, in rich costume which
set off his good figure, looked and acted
the part well, and in his rich voice
effectively rendered his solos.
Mr.. Eaton as Captain Corcoran was
particularly pleasing, not only in his
smooth and natural singing but in the
easy manner in which he played his
part. 1t is question which he por-
trayed the better, the fixed melancholy
of the captain, or the gayety OF the re-
duced sailor and accepted lover.
Mr.. Dunn's singing is familiar to the
people of the two villages, but is rarely
heard when it was more pleasing than it
was in this. His voice is particularly
well adapted to the part of Ralph Rack
straw, and his solos were given hearty
applause.
Ralph Penfold hardly seemed to be
acting, so completely was he the lshmae-
litish Dick Deadeye. His voice, while
very smooth, is sufficiently deep to be
appropriate, his makeup could not have
been improved, and he was everywhere
at all times.
George A. Briggs did the part of Bill
Bobstay so well as to furnish cause for
congratulation that he has not carried
out his threat of appearing no more on
the amateur stage.
The midshipmite, Raymond Penfold,
would be an acceptable mascot for any
ships crew.
Mrs. Wilson'S ability as vocalist is
well known, but all agree that they have
never heard her sing better than she did
in the difficult part of Josephine, and
she was given well-deserved round OF
applause at every appearance. And
this in spite of the fact that she had
been suffering with neuralgia for several
days, so that it had looked doubtful II
she would be able to appear at all.
As Hebe the little singing which fell
to Miss Wheeler was excellently done,
and she looked so charming in be- |
coming costume of pink as to cause |
universal approval of Sir Joseph's final
selection.
And Little Buttercup in the person of |
Mrs. Andrews was all that she describes
herself to be-petite, fresh, and nattily
lttired, she acted her part with skill and .
sang her songs sweetly and with much
|
Mrs. Cora S. Briggs was accompanist
and it is needless to say that the &C
was all that could be de-
sired. Carl Briggs added to the effect OF
the overture by a violin accompaniment.
The chorus was good in volume and
we'll balanced, and went with that
and dash which is necessary
10 the best effect. In fact, everything
Detokened thorough preparation, and
there was very little to criticise.
The sailors were Frank E. kimball,
Albert Dean, George NJ. Cutting, Frank
Pike, Fred Tirrell, Alfred Fuller, Fred
E. Hall, Howard Shaw, Don Briggs,
Scott Marston, Archibald Slack, Albert
D. Park. Roy Porter and Will Marston
we're marines. !
The sisters and cousins and aunts
we're Mrs. Emeley, Mrs. F. A. Taylor,
Mrs. Walter l.. Gray, Mrs. Barnes,
Mrs. II. G. Fletcher, Mrs. Bates, Mrs.
Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Doten,
Miss Hattie Leach, Miss Eva E. Walker,
Miss Grace Thayer, Miss Carrie Hub
bard, Miss Gertrude Hall.
Between the acts A. L. Morse gave
some of his best humorous selections,
md Master Raymond Penfold did first
class tambourine solo. I
Special and appropriate scenery was
painted by W. P. Morton, and agood job
Of stage carpenter work was also done.
The hall was well filled-not to suffo- ,
cation, but comfortably-on both even !
ings, and while expenses were necessarily
quite large, there will remain a good net
sum, as we'll as the satisfaction of sue. !
cessful performance.