The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-05-20
new OPERA HOUSE
THROWN Open
Pine Audience; Composed Of Eight
Hundred People, Witnessed the
Opening Play Monday Night
MANY HERE FROM OUT OF TOWN
Splendid Orchestra Made Up Of Home
People, Render Splendid Music
-. v. earborka Leader.

Splendid Orchestra Made UP Of Home
People, Render Splendid Music
-. v. 6arborka Leader.
On Monday night the new opera
house, which has been under con-
structlcn for several months, was
thrown open to the public and the
first entertainment was given. A fine
audience was on hand. composed Of
eight hundred representative people
OF Crawford county, and some from
out of the county. An opportunity to
view the interior of the new $4,000
theater was easily worth the price OF
admission and from every part Of
the building came expressions of de.
light and approval on the part Of the
large audience. The occasion was
made something of social event,
there being invitations rendered on
the part OF many of our people to PEG.
pie living out of the city to attend the
opening number.
The opening engagement was fur
nished by Merle H. Horton, being the
"Ghost Breaker" with the well known
actor, Victor Lambert. in the leading
roll. The company was composed of
eight people and carried a car load of
special scenery for their attraction.
The play itself was one of the best
ever seen in Denison and was clean
and wholesome throughout. 1t had a
big run at the Cort theater in Chicago
and came to Denison from Des Moines
where they played to packed houses.
The play was a combination of melo-
drama, farce and romance, and caused
thrills and laughter throughout the
evening. Grace Mac Gregpr, the lead
ing lady, was exceptionally fine, and
the audience fell in love with the
manner in which she handled her part.
Other members Of the company were
good and in all 1t was very credit
able entertainment.
The scenery was exceptionally fine,
especially y the tableau showing the
Castle Aragon tower and the audience
went intossecstacy over the pretty
scene and applapded when they saw
the steamer sailing down the river,
which was realistic.
Some were disappointed with the
productions, but at must be remem-
bered that the encouragement OF the
theater was unable to choose a play
which would suit the audience, In gen
eral, for almost all Of the leading at
fractions have d4banded for the seas
on, and 1t was with great difficulty
that they were able to secure this first
class attraction for the opening. The
season, for the given performance
was to close at Des Moines Sunday
evening, but through the efforts OF
Mr.. Krauth they were secured to
come to Denison. We see no reason
why people should be disappointed for
the play is one of the best on the
road and has scored great success
in Boston, New York and Chicago.
There was nothing Objectionable
during the play from start to finish.
No doubt. number OF fine attractions
will be secured when the theater op-
ems In the fall, and we understand
that the opera house company will en-
deavor to give the theater goers of
Denison and vicinity a chance to wit
ness some very high class entertain
ments.
A pleasing feature of the opening
entertainment was the orchestra,
which delighted the audience with a
number Of very fine selections. The
orchestra was under the leadership
of ]. v. Barborka and was composed
of local talent. 1t was so fine that
We are told that many thought the
orchestra was equal to any found in
the larger theaters in Omaha and Des
Moines, and the audience showed
their appreciation by loud applause.
Mr.. Barhorka had been planning for
several months on the orchestra for
the opening night. and for a number
of weeks they had been practicing
for the event. The orchestra was
composed of the following: Harry
Dearduff. double bass; b. J. Sibbert.
cello; w. H. Hover, second violin: j.
v. Barborka, first violin; Laurence
Randall, flute; George Hover, clari-
net; Harold Saber. first cornet: Har.
old Poole, second cornet; Dan Voss,
trap drummer, and Miss Clara Poole.
pianist. The first selection rendered
by the orchestra was one from the
opera "Ameer," composed by Victor
Herbert. and. was a beautiful thing.
Other pieces played during the enter
tainanent weres "Jacintiar selection
from "A. G.. Norma overture, by V.
Belline; waltz. Cone Wonderful
Night. nv Clarence NJ. Jones; over
ture by Franz Won Suppe; two.step,
Alice OF Old Vinciennes." We un.
derstand that this orchestra has been
engaged by the opera house manage
ment to furnish music for all the at
fractions that come to Denison.
Very few towns the size of Denison
can boast of such a good orchestra as
we have here and Mr.. Barborka is to
be congratulated for his efforts.
There were q number OF people
from out OF town who attended the
play. 1t would be impossible to give
the names of ALL but we print the
names of some who were seen among
the audience by reporter of this
PAPER: Frank Fee, of Carroll; Jurgen
and John Jepsen and party. of Schles-
wig: John Moeller, representing the
Harle Hass Drug company of Council
Bluffs; Architect F. e. Cox, of ioun-
Gil Bluffs; VIM. Schultz. of st. Louis;
Mrs. C. j. Ericsson, Of LEIPZIG. O.; Her.
man Schultz, August Schultz and DIR.