Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-30
AMUSE MENTS.
"Priscilla."

The Opera house was filled with n
splendid audience. last night, to witness
the opening production of Priscilla,
the. quaint and taking comic opera,
which local amateurs, under the guild
ancet of Frederick A. DunSter, present
eG with all the necessary adjuncts to
make il a brilliant and substantial sue
cess. The leading roles We're well sus-
tanned. the solos were finely rendered
and the choruses were sung in ma gnif-
icent style, with just the go, and dash
and vim needed to impress and satisfy
the most critical. Too much praise
cannot be accorded the chorus singing
of beth the ladies and the gentlemen.
who, half a hundred strong, poured
forth the sweet melodies of this delight
full opera in Il manner most pleasing. Ii
some Of the SGlOists failed to remember
that the Opera house is large and hard
to till with the sound of the human
voice the members of the chorus SEEM
ed not to forget this important point,
and threw themselves into their work
with zeal and spirit which brought out
renewed applause.
Miss Miller, as Priscilla, the pretty
Pilgrim, sang and acted her part TO
perfection. Especially fine Was she in
her duet with the doughty captain in
the first act, and again in the song she
sang while sitting at her spinning
wheel a the opening of the second act
Her sweet, clenr voice won the admira-
ton Of all. and it was not 20 be wonder
ed at that the audience gave her I'M
stintod applause.
Charles y. BilOdeau as Myles Stan
dish was a typical man of war, though
timid in matters of the heart, and his
acting as Well as his singing was of
the highest order Of excellence.
DR.. J.. l.. Dollivcr made an admirable
Governor Bradford, while DR.. Walter
Thomas scored a decided success as
John Alden, the friend in need, who, as
proxy for Captain Myles, made love to
Priscilla and won her for himself. The
loVe-making scene between Priscilla
and John was charmingly done and
met with raptuous approval.
FlaVel Jordan, Jr. of Lewiston, was
the comedian of the piece, and, as
Hatebad Higgins, agent of the-good
ship "Maytlower.' time and again
brought forth the enthusiastic plaudits
topical songs We're very, very funny
Throughout the performance he was
the life of the company and the main
stay of the comic side Of the opera.
Curtis L. Sears as Squanto, a reformed
red man. looked ana acted the Indian
chief.
1t w2s very %uuch regretted that Mrs.
II. =. Hin, who 50 finely unprecedented
the character of Resignation, was
Obliged to retire from the stage at the
end Of the first act. She was suffering
from very bad sore throat and Mr..
Dunster feared that if she continued
throughout the piece she might greatly
njurc her voice.
The three Mayflower buds. Barbara,
Faith ana Prudence, respectively por-
trayed by Miss Noble, Miss Coughlin
and Mrs. Thos l.. Fox, were most
charming, Miss Noble was especially
pleasing in her solo at the end of the
second act.
Between the two acts Flavel Jordan,
Jr., and T.. =. Bond introduced some
sp"ciatios that provoked much mirth.
Mr.. Rond was gotten up as n blushing
damsci of 50 or whereabouts and sang 4
parody on Marguerite" With vim and
energy and won great applause. Then
Mr.. Jordan favored the audience with
''SWeet Gcneyive" in an irresistibly
funny way. Both gentlemen We're
heartily praised for their successful eff
forts in the line Of making fun while
the audience was waiting for the stage
carpenters to set the scenes for the
second act.
"Priscilla' will be repeated this
evening, and there will doubtless be as
large an audience as was present. last
night. The opera is splendidly staged,
the costumes of all the artists are in
Keeping with the characters of the
piece, the music is most charming and
attractive, ana the success that has
been achieved is alike commendable to
the painstaiiEg efforts of Mr.. Dunster
and the Well known ability of the ladies
and gentlemen in the cast.
Following is the entire cast
Myles Standish uhe doughty captain),
AIR. c. Eilodeau
John Alden Ohe friend in need.
DR.. Walter Thomas
Ilatebad Higgins agent of the good ship
MaNficwerD, Mr. FlaVel Jordan Jr
VIM. Bradford, Governor of New Ply
g mouth, DIR. l.. l.. Dolliver
soHanto Ia reformed rrsdmanl;
Priscilla Ohe pretty PILGRIM. Miss Miller
designation, middle-aged spinster,
Mrs. H. E. Hill