Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-11
RED FEATHER.

A genuine treat was the almost uni verSal comment Of the large and rep rescntatiye audience which attended the production of the romantic opera Red Feather" in Poli's theater last evening. It was indeed one of the choice and entertaining treats, which called out all the enthusiasm of wev pleased audience. From the galleries to the orchestra circle the applause deepened and swelled almost continu- ously throughout the two acts of the production. Waterbury audiences have been classed as cold and unre- sponsive ones on many occasions, but last night genuine wave of warmth of feeling swept over the house and so pleased the participants in the opera that they seemed to strive harder in each charming feature of the presen- tation to outdo their previous work. Of course the central figure was Miss Grace Van Studdiford, who caroled her way into the hearts of her audi ence in the character of Countess Hilda. the sRed Feather From her very first appearance on the stage un- til the curtain was rung down at the close, she simply owned her listeners and hypnotized them with her beauti- full singing voice. Never has such a voice been heard in Polls theater and seldom has q singer been greeted by more generous applause. Miss Van Studdiford is beautiful in face and figure. She Is an actress as we'll as sweet singer of songs. She pos .sesses pair of eyes that she is an adept at using i'll various moods. In fact leaving her singing voice aside and e fhnYa ha n,. dinary amount of dramatic ability. But what voice she possesses! It seemed as if there was no limit to the range, whether high or low. It thrilled her audience and forced many to their, feet ill expressions of approval at the conclusion of each Of Der songs. Such singing@as she did last night will not soon be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to listen to her. Surrounding this particularly brilliant star was com pany of brilliancy Soloists, com edians and chorus combined to form one of the strongest opera companies now gracing the boards. They were all good and there was not Il marring feature i'll the whole performance
 Lucy Monroe as Mile Ififine, the fash ionable milliner. charmed with her pleasing songs and dances; Cora Tracy as Anita had another voice of sweetness and her contralto solos were eXcellently rendered. There were two of the men soloists who shone particularly ill their work and those were Roy Alton as Captain The wore. whose sweet but powerful tenor voice awoke much enthusiasm. Ben iamin McGahen as the Crown Prince was the other and it is seldom song enthused an audience so much as did the one "A Prince of Good Fellows" ill which the solo was taken by Me Gahen. There were three comedians who kept the good humor of the audi ence continually bubbling over. These were William J. Mccarthy as Baron Bulverstrauss, Louis Casavant as Col onel MacPatrick and Mvron F. Davis as Bagstock Bowler. The two latter have been seen on many occasions, but Mir Mccarthy is new to the stage around here. He is but g years of age at th,tt and he has
 store for him. The stage settings were exquisite and the stage pictures were many and beautiful. Such m array of handsome gowns has never been seen the local stage. Beautiful women