Evening journal., 1910-06-09
''HELLO BILL BOYS
NOW OPERA STARS
Sing "MikadO" in Voice That
Would Do Credit to
Professionals
HOUSE PACKED ON
THIRD NIGHT OF SHOW

The Elks came into their own last
night. They were letter perfect in
their parts, and had grown accustomed
to appearing before an audience, so
that they entered fully into the spirit
of the opera and gave a presentation
worthy of the highest praise The
house was crowded from gallery TO
orchestra with a joyous and demon
strative audience. The chorus work
was particularly fine. some Of the best
amateur and professional talent that
has ever been heard in Wilmington,
and was encored repeatedly.
The principals made great i'm
provement in their parts from the
previous night. playing with a finish
and lack of nervousness that added
greatly TO the excellence of the pro-
duction. The interesting opening solo
was skillfully given by Howard Car
yer as ''Pish Tush," who made it dra-
matte incident Joseph McCullin
again demonstrated his splendid abn-
ity AS an opera singer, having not only
fine voice but the temperament for
"A good actor. The pooh Bah" Of
James Gillespie was admirable. and
sung excelleUtly well. Mr.. Gillespie
brings out not only the haughtiness
of the nobleman. but pooh Bahs'
somewhat satiric appreciation OF his
own conceit Albert Bothman, David
Snellenburg and Charles H. Blaine, as
the "Three Little Maids" have pret-
y, coyness that battles description; to
get an adequate idea they should he
seen and heard. Mr.. Bothman has
one of the best voices i'm the Mlkado
Company. "Katisha." George w. Cox,
is a perpetual source Of merriment to
the audience, and is a daughter-in-law
elect of very strong artistic emotions.
which Mr.. Cox brings out to their
fullest extent. The "Mikado." George
W. Grove. and the umbrella-holder.
Homer c. Simmons, were again greeted
with an ovation. Nothing could portray
the character better than the soft
querulousness. and gentle dismay de-
picted by Mr.. Grove, together with his
imposing presence. The cleverness
with which Mr.. Simmons has made a
principal part out OF a character
speaking no lines is remarkable
James II. Kane, who has more dia-
logue than the rest Of the cast put
together again showed vividly the
joys and sorrows OF being a "Lord
High Executioner," and was frequently
encored.
The Butchers Association attended
in a body last night. and delegations
Of Elks from Philadelphia, Baltimore
and Chester are expected tonight and
tomorrow night. The advance seat
sale is heavy. and indications are that
prospective buyers would better secure
their seats at the earliest possible
date.
Behind the scenes is a busy place
the hour before the play. and many
humorous incidents occur. on the first
night the performers were disturbed
by the scarcity of hair the Japanese
wore on top of their heads. and a num-
Der Of the chorus appeared with their
wigs upside down. els my wig on
straight?" is heard several hundred
times during the course Of an even
ing. Don't you think I'd look bet
ter with a little more rogue on my
cheeks? I've got some friends out
on the second row?" is a question of.
! ten whispered into the sympathetie
ear of Walter Duffie. the make-ur
man. Mr.. Dufhe and ]. Allen VIII
| liams are kept busy from 7 o'clocl
/ turning prominent Wilmingtonian,
into Japs. A great trouble has beer
the matter of sashes. 1t appears tn,
feminine Japs wear butterfly bov
behind. while the men have nea
folding of ends and no bow Ever,
night, half the "girls'' In the choru
put on mems sashes and vice-versa
until il is a serious problem how the,
ever will get Strengthened out.