Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1903-05-14

| CHrlmpS bno champion
canoelst. the "jack of all trades. - the
village lad, who, despite his unfortu-
nate name and his somewhat unusual
personal appearance, always arose to
the occasion, and but for his blunder-
ing, ludicrous manner, would have
been the ideal hero, and yet hero after
all. Howard Robbins was "Shrimps,
and his work was really much above
amateur standing, few professionals
getting from the part such effective
results. He it was who brought out
the rich, enjoyable, refined comedy,
and his every appearance was greeted
with happy anticipations, and not
once was he disappointing, not Eonce
did he fail to bring out the ludicrous
notion of the author who conceived
the character.
"Shrimps" was ably seconded in
the fun producing by Miss Eva @.
Robbins, the clever "Kitty Glover. -
belle of the village, the all around
summer girl with somewhat romantic
notions, and yet the heart of the true
American girl, and always in the
right place despite her impulsive
manner that sometimes seemed that
troubles must follow her. Is it saying
too much to suggest that none in the
long cast caught the popular fancy of
the audience more than Miss Robbins?
She seemed "Kittie Clover the
"Kittie' Of the little village upon
the Maine coast. and not clever
artist who was simply acting the part.
She sustained herself in every effort
with an abundant confidence, so nat
ural, so very independent, and finally
so impulsive that she coyly suggested
that the name of "Shrimps,'' early in
the story despised by her, would look
SO nice upon wedding cards. And her
evident desire for "Shrimps'' made
that auburn head, young, love-lorn
canoeist, present, with "Kittie's as
sistance, situation that was one of
the humorous hits of the evening.
Miss Robbins was not only genuine
surprise as finished actress, but her
voice was charming, and few there
were present, who had had previous
opportunity of enjoying her efforts.
The naturalness of Mrs. John E.
Minch made a star characterization of
the part of "Auntie Crabbe. - and her
splendid voice was given opportunities
not permitted in the concerts in
which she has often appeared.
"Auntie Crabbe" added much to many
of the situations last night, perhaps
much more, by reason of the ability
of Mrs. Minch, than was ever in
tended by the composer Of the opera.
With "Auntie Crabbe, 'often shared
honors, with Captain Tarpaulin. :.
the bluff old salt impsrsonated by Mr..
s. Lewis Elmer. There was none
upon the stage last night whose per-
sonality and identity was SO complete
ly lost in the part as was that of Mr..
Elmer. He not only looked the part,
acted the part, but his voice fitted the
part. He had several splendid oppor-
tunities and he made the most of
every situation and at times was
really a finished, artistic actor. His
rich bass voice very often filled and
rounded out some of the most charm
ing quartettes and quintettes, and was
always heard to an advantage in the
choruses.
Self important, pompous, inflated
with Spanish dignity, was the ''Ad-
miral,' a Spanish Grandee, assumed
by Mr.. Elwood Fl. Weber. Two or
three occasions there were when Mr..
Weber came out strong and attracted
unusual attention, and was more than
ably supported by another fun maker,
Salvador. I" the oolored body guard,
assumed, and very cleverly, too, by
Mr.. Frank G. Hustled.
J. Lewden Robeson, in the role of
Count Castinetti, was not popu
lar character in the story, but an aud
ience that at all times was hoping for
the failure Of his matrimonial schemes
and the ensnaring from her own lover,
"Bonnie Belle," was Obliged to give
him credit for his clever interpreta-
tion, and he made much of the part.
so much that bits of his dialogue and
singing brought him merited applause.
Miss Lolita L. Shoemaker had little
in her part but to look the grand
dame that the wife of the Admiral is
supposed to be, and she made much
Of even that limited opportunity.
"Capt. Surf, Francis I. D. Seeley !;
and Lieutenant Fusee,' Frank r.
Logue, were clever in the work they
had to do.
A charming bit of the program was
IL H.,