Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-06-16
PINAFORE PURE
AND HUMOROUS
High School Comic Opera Is
Greeted by Capacity
House
BY JOHN w. PHILLIPS

Though the first duty of music is
to elevate and refine. yet it will be
readily admitted that a second duty,
even If considered of lower worth, is
to amuse, and entertain; to enliven
and exhilarate. Out of this second
duty of music comic opera was born.
The hardest struggle in this class
OF musical entertainment has been to
keep 1t pure, bright and funny. Our
ideals in this respect have not been
realized, especially in many so-called
modern comic operas, which have
been nothing more than vulgar, bla-
tant, inartistic conglomerations of
variety shows. Happily, the lives of
most of these have been short, and it
is to be hoped that this fact will
bring about a real reform along this
line.
This delightful opera was success
fully presented at the Orpneum
Theater last evening by the senior
class of Central high school. Sincere
ccmmendation is due to Principal Fl.
G. Dibble for his choice of an opera
so tried and true and sweet as Her
Majestys Ship Pinafore." 1t was
just the right thing for the young
folks, and parents and guardians
should be sincerely pleased with the
cordial appreciation shown by the
large and delighted audience.
Choruses Hit
The cast was we'll selected and the
opera went with tolerable smooth
ness, although a trifie slow in action.
The chorus should show more in
terest in the proceedings. A little
more snap here and there would
sharpen the inteEcst and add sparkle
to the whole performance.
The admirals part was cleverly
taken by Bernard Vert, whose words
were clearly spoken and sung. He
was we'll made up, although we
missed the muttonchop whiskers so
much in vogue in those days. Frank
Witherow impersonated Captain Cor
coran with excellent effect. He has
a pleasing voice, good stage presence
and acted his part with judgment.
Jerome Hamilton. Familiarity known
as Jerry, played Ralph Rackstraw,
the able seaman and-able lover.
Mr.. Hamilton has appeared with
success in many former productions,
so he must almost be classed as a
professional. He acts with a freedom
and this together with voice that
is we'll adapted to light opera work,
makes a winning combination.
Harold Eckert, as Dick Deadeye,
was not so fierce as we expected him
to be. In fact, he was a likable chap,
although he tried hard to play the
villain, and would have succeeded
but for the "bosun," who threatened
him from time to time. Deadeye
acted the part well and spoke in true
sailor fashion. and so did James
Dougherty as the bosun, who tow
cred a full foot above Deadeye. AL
phonsis eastman as the midShipmite
was there, too, and added his touch
of humor.
Getha High as Josephine made
charming heroine. She has person.
ality and attractive stage presence.
She has a clear soprano voice of
good compass, not yet matured in
flexibility or evenness, but full of
splendid possibilities. Her acting
won hearty approval and her singing
was rewarded by spontaneous ap-
plause and some beautiful flowers.
Hazel Seibert played the part of
Hebe. 1t is not, of course, big part.
but Miss Seibert seemed to be thor
oughly at home on the stage. She
fitted the part thoroughly, and her
true, firm voice was heard to splen-
did advantage both in the solo bits
and in leading the chorus.
Secure Pretty Effects
The role of little Buttercup was
intrusted to Louise Johnson. Miss
Johnson could not look like a bum
boat woman if she tried; but she did
sing and act the part with rare dis
cernment. She has a pleasing, rich
voice, steady and firm. Her articu-
lation is good. She has a fine sense
of rythm and was always sure of
herself. She displayed more than
average talent