Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-05-20
COMIC OPERA GIVEN
Pirates of Penzance Seen by Two
Large Audiences
Local Talent Scored Success for Bene-
fit of First Regiment Band-Matinee
Scheduled for 2.3o Tomorrow.

fit of First Regiment Band-Matinee
Scheduled for 2.3o Tomorrow.
To the group of bright stars which
marks the series of successes achieved in
the field of entertainment by the First
Regiment band must be added another
in recognition of it's production of Gill
bert & Sullvan's tuneful comic opera,
THE Pirates of Penzance." Two large
and enthusiastic audiences applauded the
work of the cast and chorus, consisting
entirely of amateur talent, in the Audi
torium Wednesday evening and last even
ing, and another good house is assured
for a matinee performance which will be
given tomorrow at 230 o'clock.
1t is natural for those who saw THE
Mikado" and "Pinafore" to draw COM
parsons between them and The Pr
ates of Penzance," and in doing so the
latter appears at something of a disad-
vantage, but while it has fewer pretty
features than the other operas men
toned it is more difficult, and a salts
factory presentation of it demands the
exercise of unusual amateur ability
Leitsingers orchestra, which was in
creased in number for the occasion, gave
fine support to the singers, and c. +.
MaCOmber, who has drilled the partiCi-
pants and directed most of the musical
stage performances in this town in the
past % years, is entitled to credit for
the good work done. Without him the
opera would not have been attempted.
The opening scene showed the chorus
of pirates, swarthy of complexion and
armed with knives and pistols In the
baritone role of Samuel, the chiefs
lieutenant" Alfred S Thompson sang
Pour O King, the pirate sherry" and in
this and succeeding numbers he did es
pecially good work. Miss Gertrude Math-
rtNl, ..f,..t . ...,1 4 I
work" followed Mr.. Thompson in When
Frederic was little lad and her rich
contralto voice afforded much pleasure.
The part of Richard, the pirate chief
was taken by Alison Dugan. Mr.. Dugan
has given strength, both vocally and
dramatically, to every performance in
which he has appeared, having an in
telligent conception of what is required
of him. and in his bass song, Il am a
pirate king" as well as in his other APP
pearances, he was applauded vigorously.
MyrOn p. Davis as Frederic, a pirate
apprentice" was the next one of the prin-
cipals to appear. Mr.. DAVIS had one of
the most difficult roles in the opera and
his clear tenor voice and ability as an
actor won for him warm recognition
Perhaps his most pleasing number was
ION, is there not one maiden here?" The
entrance Of Mrs. Arthur Brasor in the
character of Mabel, General Stanleys
daughter" was greeted with applause
but Mrs. Brasor was nearly i'll the first
evening and was unable to sing in her
usual delightful way, but an explanation
of the reason was made in behalf of the
management and last evening Mrs Bra
sor's excellent soprano voice was heard
with pleasure by her many admirers
Kate" Edith" and Isabel" General
Stanley's daughters, impersonated by
Miss Rose Putnam, Miss Alice Croll and
Miss Florence Harrington respectively,
We're a captivating trio and their work
was we'll received.
The appearance of f. II. Crane as Ma
jor-General Stanley of the British army"
caused another outburst of applause. In
his makeup Mr.. Crane was the real
thing" and his baritone song, THE mod
ern major general" was one of the hits
of the evening. In the finale of the first
act the principals, pirates and chorus Of
girls took part, and it was the most de-
lightful climax in the entire perform
ance.
The striking feature of the second act
was the work of the chorus of policemen
with Onslow Thompson, baritone as Ed
ward, a sergeant of police" at the head.
| This was Mr.. Thompsons first appearance
on the operate stage and he made good.
| He sang well and he was at ease with
himself to a degree not often seen in an
amateur actor. He and Mr.. Crane put a
lot of good business" into their duet,
He walks the street just like king"
| which introduced some local hits and was
encored repeatedly. d. Frank Shea, took
! the minor role of Frank, a roundsman, -
| doing well the little that his part de-
| manded. one of the numbers worthy of
special mention was the trio, a para
| doX,' by Miss Matthews, Mr. Davis and
| Mr.. Dugan.
Picture hats and handsome gowns made
the chorus of girls attractive The I'M
| usual amount of singing by the men $
| choruses was a pleasure to most people
| All the choruses were given encores, to
| which they generously responded.
! Besides the principals those who took
| part in the opera We're as follows: Muriel
| Gay, Rita Eckels, Alice Ferriter, Elsie
Smith, Elvira Croll, Marion Gibbs, Ger
| trude Stockwell, Flossie ODER, Grace San
| derson, Charlena Bemis, Katherine Gui-
| heen. Bertha Peern, Carla Ebbing-
hansen, Annie Krwan, Maude Phillips
| Ruby Estey Isabel Trendall May Nc
| Donald, Margaret Lillis, Elfreda Ahrens,
Eva ROdden, Alice Connarn, Albina Fill
| lion, Maude Leitsinger, Minnie Leitslnger
Sarah Dimes, Nellie Redding, Mabel Win
! chester, Eula Torrey, Pauline Putnam,
! Victoria Johnson, Viola Harris, Alvena
| Walker, Florence Lefevre and May
| Yauvey.
Pirates-La Verne Thayer Charles r.
| Frink, Harold Newell, Willard Richard
son, Leonard Taylor, Roger O'Donoghue,
Robert G. Clark, Fred Sheldon, Orlin
Whitney, Franz Anderson, Howard John
son, Hugh Dunklee, Noah Regal, Harris
| Cray and Wallace Clark.
Police-E. c. Sloane, Frank Richard
son, jr., John NJ. Lee, Earl w. Wood
ward, VIII Blanchard. Roy Monroe, Man
| ley Adams, Robert N. Crosby, E. NJ
| Goodenough. Edward Eckels, r. p.
Wheeler Arthur L. Clapp, Homer Ellis,
b. E. Blanchard, Vendall Johnson, Rob-
ert w. Mitchell Charles S. Nichols, How
| ard Geddis and Lester Howe
The patronesses were Mrs. Smaller f.
| lawton, Mrs. Louis D. Greene and Mrs.
| Clarence l.. Stickney, and the general
| committee for the band consisted of f. c.