The Democratic advocate., 1909-02-19
."PRINCESS BONNIE"
A PERFORMANCE OF REAL ARTISTIC
MERIT BY LOCAL TALENT
An Ambitious Undertaking Success
fully Carried Out

that city no larger than Westminster
should possess sufficient talent for the
production of an opera In the metro
politan style In which the Princess
Bonnie" was given at Odd Fellows
Hall on Tuesday and Thursday even
ings of this week We should further
congratulate ourselves upon having
in our midst those who voluntarily un-
dertake the gigantic task of locating
this talent and assembling 1t so that
each element will fit tremendously in
to its proper place and present to the
audience a finished and symmetrical
performance. Few persons realize
the magnitude OF such an undertaking
in limited field like ours In every
community there are those who can
sing, and others who can act, but 1t
is not an easy matter to find these
qualities combined In the same person.
After securing persons for the leading
roles, there remain to be selected
the members of the chorus, the dane
ers, and score or more of others for
different positions. Then the chorus
is to be drilled, the dancers trained,
and number OF rehearsals had be-
fore 1t is presented to the critical eyes
and ears of the public.
In the present case, after the exer-
else of skilled selectiye ability and the
expenditure Of much labor, these diff
ficult problems were all solved In
most satisfactory manner. There was
never any question as to the prima
douna, because II is doubtful II there
Is any one In our midst other than
Miss Katherine Slagle who could sue
cessfully fill the role OF Bonnie"
Her R0nRpnttnfl nf fhn ~ xgno oil
that could be desired, her costumes
were becoming, and her rendition Of
the different and difficult numbers
must have proved satisfying to the
most critical. The principal solos
were "Slumber So Gently" Dreaming
Of Love-" and Love, First Love" All
these were delightfully."- rendered. and
the lower notes OF the latter were
wonderfully sweet
Mrs. Ralph Relfsnider made cap
tivating Kitty Clover" She was more
effective In the second act than I'm the
first, partly because her costume was
more becoming, but chiefly because
the male chorus furnished a better
setting for her yoice and accentuated
II TO a degree that was not so notice
ablein the first act Two very pretty
airs were Kiss Me- and Whisper
Words of Love"
Mrs. b. #. Grouse gave an intel
ligent and pleasing impersonation OF
Susan Crabbe Tarpaulin." Her adj
vice to the girls TO Never Never Never
Fall in Love" was well received. but
is not likely TO be taken seriously.
Miss Clevie Henry, as Donna Pom
poso," was truly better half" TO her
pompous husband. She wore an
elaborate gown and did well the little
she was called upon to do.
II is quite apparent that George
Armacost will be known to posterity
as the village comedian. Whether II
be a play or an opera, he is always
selected to do the funny business, and
on this occasion he added new iaurels
TO his already well stocked conserva-
tory.
Alfred Ackley made up well as Cap
tain Tarpaulin," and spoke the verna-
cular like an old sea dog" of long
experience.
Grant Heltebridle, as Roy Stirling" /"
told his love for Bonnie" with all the
amusing embarrassment OF youth and
In a voice that was most attractive.
One OF the prettiest scenes In the
opera is his first interview with
Bonnie"
@. Gloyd Lynch bore himself well
under a very long title. He has an al
Turing voice, which captured the au-
dience and must have proved equally
effective on Bonnie" had she not al
ready met the fisher lad.
The chracter of Admiral Pomposo"
was well suited to b. +. Grouse, with
his dignifled bearing and deep, clear
bass voice.
James Beacham, as Salvador" was
especially good, both as to makeup
and dialect
One of the prettiest features of the
opera was the tambourine dance of
the Spanish maidens.
Special credit is due Miss Annie
Shriver, who trained the dancers, and
A. Bailey Morelock, who drilled the
chorus, and directed the orchestra.
other members of the orchestra were
William Simpson, DIR. J. f. Myers. Guy
Williams, Thomas Anders. Arthur
Stonesifer. Dr.Bonnotte, Samuel Stone
and Theodore Mitten.
Miss Elizabeth Slagle was the ac-
companist, and John Il. l.. Hanna had
charge Of the stage.
Following is the cast of characters:
Shrimps, Champion Canoeist, and the
village Jack OF all Trades" In love
with Kitty. ..... George Armacost
Captain Tarpaulin, of the fishing
smack Nancy" and keeper of the
Light House. Alfred Ackley
ton--in love with Bonnie, Grant Hell
tibridle
Admiral Pomposo, Spanish Grandee
with hobby for collecting rare an
tiquities. s.....,.......B. F. Grouse
Count Castinetti Marionetti Flageo-
lett, Falsetti an Italian Nobleman.
betrothed to Bonnie in infancy,
Gloyd Lynch
Salvador. Body Guard to Admiral
Pomposo. so.......... James Beacham
Lieutenant Fusee, Spanish Officer
Edward Beauchamp
Captain Surf, Fisherman, James Nit
chell
Kitty Clover, Captain of the Canoe
Club, and the Belle of the Village
Mrs Ralph Reifsnider
Susan Crabbe Tarpaulin, Tarpaulins
sister commonly called "Auntie
Crab"-assistant keeper of Light,
Mrs. B. F. Grouse
Donna Pomposo, wife OF Admiral POM
poso. ............. .Clevie Henry
Bonnie, the Princess Bonnabellavita,
adopted daughter Of Capt. Tarpaulin
and niece of Admiral Pomposo, ,Kath-
crime S. Slagle
Canoeists and Spanish Peasants
Misses Elizabeth Duncan. Irene Wood
ward, Bessie Roberts, Eva Herr, Vir-
ginis REGISTER, Addie Manahan. En-
ma Slagle, Larue Herr. Helen Arma-
cost, Katharine Lynch, Jessie Starr.
4.