NEW YORK, April 12, 1887.
On Sunday afternoon the majority of the members of the troupe left Boston by the 4.30 train via Springfield for New York. Like the wandering Florimel, the journey "had no mar," except that special cars were not provided as had been promised, and the train was over-crowded. On arriving at New York, the party at once proceeded to the "Rossmore" on Broadway and 41st streets. On Monday morning the missing actors, who had left Boston on Saturday, turned up at the Assembly Rooms of the Metropolitan Opera House for rehearsal at 10 o'clock.
The opening chorus was scarcely over when an excited personage in gray whiskers rushed in and informed the director that the performance could not go on, as the Symphony Orchestra was rehearsing in the adjoining room. After a short parley, a compromise was agreed upon by which the H. P. C. company deferred their rehearsal until Mr. Damrosch and his orchestra should have time to give more strict attention to the able directing of Mr. Daniels - who as Mr. Damrosch confidentially remarked, was the only man that he considered his superior as an orchestral director. As Mr. Damrosch begged so earnestly to be granted a short time to finish up his morning rehearsal, the concession was made, and in the interim, the Corps de Ballet took lessons from their sister artistes who were practicing on the larger stage.
The evening performance began at half-past eight o'clock, as the time advertised for beginning was 8.15 p.m. - thus allowing a decent delay for Fashion's sake. The Assembly Rooms were crowded at 8 o'clock and the vast audience were seated on the tiptoe of expectation, as may be said, waiting to learn the legend of the play.
The following was the cast of the operettic burlesque:
"THE TAISMAN."Abbe Kakatoes, a saintly individual, whose emotions sometimes get the best of him,
D. P. GriswoldFlorimel, a wandering bard, the victim of sundry mishaps, which are all set right in the last act,
L. HonoreMarquis Croquemitaine, a noble of the Old Regime, who tries not to keep his word, but cannot help himself,
F. RemingtonMarguerite, his daughter, the subject of many matrimonial complications, and the cause of sundry duels,
C. CarrollCount Fleurdelys, a young noble, very fine, very fierce, and very Frenchy,
H. HomansMiss Medusa, proprietress of Primrose Hall - prim, starch, and stately, and easily embarrassed,
W. Endicott, 3dMignonette, a coy maiden, demure enough, but not adverse to a little fun on the sly,
W. A. BrooksCliquot, a landlord of the 'Golden Fleece" - a host in himself,
T. Clyde, 3dThe Goddess of Truth, a young person in scanty drapery who cannot tell a lie,
C. A. de GersdorffSignorita Seraphita (Nee Binks), a light-headed, light-footed damsel, who dances her way into all hearts,
W. B. de BillierHuntsmen, School girls, Peasants, Nobles, High-born Dames, etc., etc.,
in great abundance.
The first performance went off with eclat - in spite of a slight lack of vigor on the part of the orchestra. The play was over at 10.45 p.m., just before the close of the Patti show in the neighboring Annex. The performances yesterday were eminently successful, and the audience last night were highly enthusiastic, and the play went more smoothly than before. The theatrical committee is given below. All praise is due to Messrs. Michael and Daniels for the earnest work and thought which they have put into the play. To their efforts the success is due.
THEATRICAL COMMITTEE.Acting Manager - Francis Michael. Stage Manager - C. A. de Gersdoff. Property Manager - A. W. Wheelwright. Business Manager - Elisha Flagg, 2d. Artist - F. C. De Veau. Prompter - H. C. Brengle. Musical Director - W. P. Daniels.
T.
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