The Blackpool Herald. — 1886-06-11 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

WINTER GARDENS. - On Wednesday evening, Mr. H. D. Burton's Company, which is fulfilling a successful week's engagement at the Winter Gardens, appeared, for the first time, in a new and original operatic extravaganza, entitled "Innocents all abroad," the music of which is the production of Mr. John Gregory, the very able musical director of Mr. Burton's Company. The libretto is by Mr. Alfred; Claude Clarke' the plot being as follows t—There was once a certain Eastern Monarch who had four lovely daughters. zio lovely, it was difficult to say which took the palm. The haughty Monarch was so fin pressed with their beauty, that he swore they should wed none but Emperors, but as he was the only Emperor of his time, and Germany hadn't been discovered, there were not even any Princes. The young Princesses grew tired of waiting for suitors, and while the father was looking out for husbands in the "upper ten" they made other arrangements ;that is, they married their grooms. The Emperor was furious slew the grooms (who afterwards turned out to be Princes in disguise) and banished the four little pledges, who in time made their appearance in a distant Island in charge of "Dr. Pillgarlick," and having seen them safely bestowed, gave their mothers to four Boyal flunkeys of various grades. It is to the company of these young ;gentlemen we are introduced on the rise of the curtain, who are bemoaning their fate and imprisonment ; in the midst of this shots are heard, a vessel is descried, and to the doctor's horror he finds it full of women. Here is an end to all his plans to keep his pupils from the baneful glance of womankind. It turns out to be a circus companY, who are en route for India. Chiquette, the chief lady, finds in the doctor an old flame, who bolted after having a breach of promise decided against him and in her favour; Bucepbalus Martingale, the proprietor, finds in Dr. Pillgarlick a Quack. whom he knew in London and who is wanted. The girls pia a boy each (the boys as yet being unconscious of what the girls really are), complications arise, and the doctor has a warm time of it. Tnere is not. a row but he is the cause, no trouble but what he is in ; he is driven to desperation, and about to commit suicide when things take a pleasant turn. Of the music, which is origi:ial throughout, we can speak in high terms. It is tuneful, pretty, and several of the numbers are set to catching airs. " Just in a fatherly sort of way." sung by Mr. Burton, as "Doctor Pillgarlick," is blond to bee.one popular, whilst the duett Love, love, eternal love," is one of the most charming vocal pieces we have heard for some time past. One of . Mr. Gregory best efforts is the chorus, "Out of the Pirate's reach," which reminds us more of grand opera than oi an extravaganza ; and the soh and concerted piece "Despair "is also a strong number. The piset w excellently played, acid was well received. Mr. Burton has a part in Doctor Pillgarlick," out Of which he will make splendid capital, a•AI sev the ladies have good parts, notably_ Misi Lome Lancashire, who appears as "Dolly." The growl .gt and costumes are splendi I, and the, prismatic 1, Mot. which was rapturously encored, is one of toe pret-ie,t ever seen on the stage. Both Mr. Burton and Mr. Oregory ore to be congratulatod upon thl pr‘cateti ,n Icf a bright little pi..ce whioli is an tuquis:tioa to the Company's repertoir..  BLACKPOOL :—Printed and Publishe lat the HIMALD Omen, 12, Central reach,by Tlii i\l•••S JAMES PORTER,II Upper Queea'A- tem 4,1', Fleetwood-on-Wyre. FRIDAY, Juing 111%, 1886.