Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-20
"EGYPTA.'
A Very Successful and Artistic Pro
 ductlon Given Last Night.

" for weeks, they are recelVeu Wltn such favor as was the case last night when the first production of that much talked of oriental opera "Egypta" was presented at Polls. But the reception was not too generous nor too great Tor the merit of the production. In fact there were many bright numbers that the management should have allowed to receive an encore and there were others that should have received much more appreciation and they un- doubtedly would have were it not that the spectators did not grasp the situ- ation quickly enough. Assuredly no prettier opera has been presented by amateurs in this city and no first night production ran so smoothly nor so entertainingly as did this one. Of last evening. One gratifying feature was the Quickness with which each scene was presented and it proved clearly that the promoters of the en- terprise were working in harmony with the stage employees and that each was striving to avoid delays of all kinds They did 1t and did it effec- lively.
 The wonder of the whole thing is how it was possible to control so many people without a break in any part or the performance, for seldom have there been so many participants i'll an entertainment. Take the chil- dren for instance. The stage was . packed solid with tiny humanity dur ing their choruses and it was one of the prettiest and cutest pictures of the evening. All the pictures were beau tiful and the stage settings, appurten- ances and electric displays added in a great measure to the general good ef- feet.
 As to the performance itself noth- ing but words of praise can be said. It was given under the auspices of the Women's auxiliary of the Young Mems Christian association. It would be difficult to go through each beau tiful number and speak words of praise that would be appropriate for each character and each duet, trio, quartet and chorus had it's own respec- tive charm. In selecting a few of the gems one does not detract from the others for there must always be
 
 opportunities than others.
 In the first act the entrance of Jo- chebed carrying the babe Moses and her song of despair began the pretty and interesting features. aIlss Maude Marvin had the character of Jochebed and her conception of that role was both clever and very enter taining. When the babe was re- T mother had hidden it and it was found that it was a babe in reality, the audience simply were carried away with pleasure. The approach of Pharoah's daughter and her maid ems and the proposition of adoption made by Thermuthis, Pharoah's daughter, was another catching num- ber.. Mrs Katherine Somers Bonn was cast for the part of Pharoah's daughter and no better selection could have been made. In voice, form and bearing she made an ideal daughter of king and the act between herself and the mother of Moses was as pa thetic and touching as anything yet given by amateurs. The mothers farewell was also a very sympathetic one Little Hazel Fogg as Miriam in this scene also sang sweetly as she besought Pharoah's daughter to save Moses.
 Little Moses song in the next act was a very bright feature. Mack Shaw played this part very prettily. There was the Dance Oriental, by several young ladies which was pie turesque and neatly executed and then came the children with their n e.- liven the picture That was q pret- ty sight, to be sure. and their song of prayer was well rendered The mothers last farewell was one of the gems of the evening The grand drill by the Royal Legion" executed by several youths. was as good as any drill that has been given on the local stage. in fact it received more than the usual share of applause.
 The parting of Moses and his fath. CT Amram after Moses had slain Pharoah's overseer was one more of the bright numbers In this scene the character of Moses was taken by Isaac Beecher Clarke and he was one Of the best male characters sn the stage. He sang nicely and acted his part very successfully. Frank 'AiOA4'nS>s-i hC pld3 eu llc part OI Iue father very acceptably.
 The love scene of Moses was also a catching feature In this scene Zipporah. who afterward married Moses, was taken by Miss Georgiana Turnbull. The singing of Miss Turn bull was excellent and her acting pleasing The duet between herself and MT Clarke was one of the bes1 features of the whole performance.
 In scene four was another interest ing and pleasing number. Mrs BonI had been cast for the character as the angel messenger and accompanied by other angels appropriately garbed shs commanded Moses to go to Pharoal and demand the release of his people Her song in this scene was a gem ant was sweetly rendered. The trium p1ia1 entry of Pharoah and his hosts the strong chorus and the solos o1 Godfrey R. Reed. who was cast in the part of Pharoah, were all delightful
 The death of Pharoah's first born the appeal of Moses and the relent ing of Pharoah were all nicely exc cuted Miriam. sister of Moses, played by Miss Zulette Wilson. displayed rare ability in her song of triumph.