The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-08-11
PRELIMINARY OPENING
THEATER CROWDED
LAST NIGHT.

Lew Doclstaaer and His Great Minstrel
Company Held the boards and De-
lighted AIl-sIany New Features
Exceptionally Large Number Of vO-
eaIists.
If the preliminary opening Of the
Hyperion augurs for the season, then
that famous amusement house will
have an exceptionally successful career
for the coming theater-going months.
and under the management Of the Shu-
bert Brothers. The initial attraction
was Lew Dockstader, that ace of min
strelsy, and his immense company. and
zif the performance may be taken as
"a criterion OF the productions to come
N during the year. then the public may
look forward to a long list Of fine
&amusements.
81 The theater was tested almost to its
#eapacity, and this even in the FACE Of
~ rain coming down in torrents. Nearly
every seat in the house was sold be-
fore the curtain rupg up, and with the
Exception of few vacant chairs In the
orchestra the standing room sign was
out. The interest thus manifested in
the preliminary opening Of the theater
was gratifying to the management and
"a source Of revenue pleasing in the
extreme.
AS was to be expected the perform
ance was complete in every detail, full
of interesting and instructive novelties.
land presented by one of the most cap
liable companies which ever did a black
Sface act in this city. The production
E last season was one which won instant
&approval Of all who witnessed it, and
1.-THE one this year, while built on similar
Hines, is brim full Of up-to-date novel;
#ties which will make it as much Of a
s success as last year. The public will
&be amused and the Golfers Of the pro-
&moter wiz profit thereby.
81 Lew Dockstader's minstrels is a COM
#hfnation of the old time, original
*Georgia ministries. so called, and the
#creations, Of a later day. The first part
was a representation of the original
8 semi-cirele Ilinstrelsy with all charac-
tiers in black face. The stage setting
His elaborate in the extreme, done in
%white and gold with beautiful orna-
ments hung and placed in profusion.
HShekespeare,s Midsummer Nights
&Drealn" formed the basis for the Gre
Nation. The scene was a striking one.
&ali the MINISTRIES attired in dress suits,
4 white vests and red boutonnieres. Many
#excellent yocalists rendered a choice
&nhmber of songs and the triple quar-
#tette was one of exceptional excellence,
(which is one of the most pleasing fea-
#tures of a minstrel first part. The end
rnen were all funny. especially Neil
#OBren and Lew Dockstader himself.
zCarroll johnson was one of the most
faces and names on the, stage,
&aiid he was as well received as ever
3 The second part opened with one of
the most laugha BILE inventions seen here
#in some Time. Neil O'Brien becomes
#the Superintendent. the motorman and
conductor of the only trolley car on the
Road, and he nroceedad to run things
Ito suit himself, much to the discom-.
future Of the patrons and tn eamuse-
nlent Of the SPECTATORS. Lew Dock
stader introduced his successful inno-
walton Of last year and discussed many
subjects Of local and national import
ance from an airship. His drop from
the ship through space during the prog
ress Of an electrical storm is shown by
the vitagraph, and was exceptionally
funny
The performance was concluded with.
q bit of old time plantation pastime,
some fine buck and wing dancing, and
the finale was a spectacular presenta-
tion of life / the fields among the birds.
The management of the house are not
as yet prepared to announce definitely
their plans for the remainder of the
aeeason, but it can be feckoned on that
#the theatrical, lovers of this city will
#be furnished abundant amusement
Throughout the season.