Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-06-26


could demand in a Josephine" and
she had not been before the footlights
an instant before it was seen that she
was fulfilling all of the demands of
the part with exceptional ability.
Her conquest was all the more COM
plete as she progressed with her
lines, and in the scene between "Sir
Joseph" Captain Corcoran" and her.
self, she got very close to all hearts.
She made beautiful picture, and her
grace was enhanced with her very
sweet singing. This trio got the
big song hit of the evening, perhaps,
and while all three were good, Mrs
Middleton, beautifully gowned as she
was and singing with such consumate
art, fairly swept things before her,
until no less than four encores were
accorded the song. In the last act,
she had solo with Ralph Rack
straw" sailor whom she loved, "Fare-
well My Own" which has helped to
make "Pinafore" famous, and it also
added crown to Mrs. Middleton. All
the way through hers was the prin-
ciple singing part, and her exquisite
work concentrated the gaze of the
audience, so that her appearance soon
began to make itself felt in the most
generous applause every time she
came out. She sang everything beauti-
fully, with feeling, expression and skill
and finest interpretation. These were
the things that endeared her to every
body and she held full sway to the
end, receiving salvos of applause be-
cause there wasn't anything to do
thralled. She was a shade beyond
clever, and her work was really very
near to that of real artist.
Next in rank among the perform
ers, unquestionably, was David
Arthur Carson in the part of "Sir
Joseph Porter" Mr.. Carson does not
pretend to niche in the Hall of Fame
as singer, yet he sang well, and
was so skilled in creating the
part that this was forgotten in ad-
miring his really fine art of CONVEX
sation and pantomime. He was grace
itself in his every attitude, and his
speaking voice was aided by his skill
in mimicry, emphasis and imper-
sonation.
There are many who think Mr.
Carson missed his calling when he
failed to adopt the stage as a career.
1t is not by any means too late for
him to make the undertaking now.
He has youth, versatility and un-
doubted talent. His work in "Pina-
fore" was by all odds the most finish
ed product of the production, and a
long way ahead of anything he has
ever before done. 1t was as finished
piece of acting as one sees any
where, and he brought out an in
finitude of fine points in the "Sir
Joseph" part that would have won
admiration from the man who created
it, 1t was the finish, the grace, the
subtlety Mr.. Carson put into the role
that made it effective, and that he
bore away the chief honors of the
male parts of the opera is mere
statement of fact. He could scarcely
have been better, and he was as strong
in his Interpretation as he was fas-
chatting and pleasing.
The "Dck Deadeye" of Mr.. Wilbur
F. Holt was not eXcelled by any piece
of character acting of the opera. His
makeup was splendid, and his acting
could not have been improved. He
was the typical "Dick Deadeye" if
one ever saw one. His singing was
made to order for the character, and
his agile work throughout was just
what was demanded. He was dis
tinct feature of the performance, and
deserves every compliment for his
fidelity and clear conception of the
part he assumed so admirably. 1t
was the star piece of grotesque
comedy in an array of talent where
picking out one for special tribute
may be done without fear of touch
ing upon the rights of others. Mi.
Holt did himself proud.
Mr.. George Roedeles as Captain
Corcoran" could not have been bet
ter. He sang all of his songs with
expression, and his acting was fine.
He wore a costume that was both
costly and citing" 1t was like all
marine officers wear in the Queens
Navee," and no handsomer picture
was presented than his. In the duets
and the trio with "Sir Joseph and
Josephine, ne was aI MS poo' anu
received generous applause every
time he appeared.
Mrs. N. A. Paul made a most ac-
ceptable "Hebe," and sang her parts
with daintiness and grace which
everybody appreciated. Her costume
was very becoming and she was as
pretty as picture.
There was one character that
proved a great surprise, that of Lit
tie Buttercup," by Mrs.James Stewart;
She had never had experience and
was doubtful of herself in the re-
hearsals but towards the end she i'm
proved so rapidly that those who were
in the know predicted great things
from her, and she did not disappoint
them. The character has had many
interpretations, and Mrs. Stewards
was almost ideal, speaking from the
standpoint of good amateur work:
.xo,,x, n, DOM and