Life — May 30, 1889 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

320 [THIS LIVE FROG Was FOUND |" imecoto in SOLID ROCK SUPPOSED TOBE |6000 Years ovo | NNN S A RIVAL. The Frog (to ballet dancer): GREAT HEAVENS! KATE, ARE YOU STILL aT IT? “THE BRIGANDS.” HAT makes “ The Brigands” go? Musically, it is among the least attractive of Offenbach’s operas, and the libretto shows none of the peculiar wit and humor which characterizes Mr. W.S. Gilbert's other books. The management at the Casino hi tempted to improve on Offenbach by the interpolation and substitution of the work of other hands, and on Gilbert by the use of gags of a greater or less degree of merit. HE real reason for the apparent success of the piece is the fact that it is backed up by the prestive of the Casino as a popular place af amusement, by ample capital to produce effects, and by the management's shrewd knowledge of what New York wants. Given an opera whose music is not positively stupid, and whose book is not absolutely dull, and the Casino manage- ment is bound to make the piece go. It knows to suit New York the music must be lively and brilliant, even if it be not original or catching. The stage-setting must be gorgeous; ‘ $ ‘LPF E + the costumes must be handsome and striking, and lend themselves to effective groupings under a liberal use of the calcium light; the cast must contain well-known and talked- about names, regardless of the artistic merit of their poss ors; last, and of great importance, the chorus must be large, and, in its feminine constituents, comely and shapely, which shapeliness must be freely displayed. In the case of “The Brigands,” the Casino gives thorough demonstration of these facts. There is not a criti- cism to be made on the brilliancy and effectiveness of the scenery or the stage pictures. They strike the eye as the embodiment of gorgeousness. Nor has the chorus been neglected. It is voluminous and taking. Some of its beauty may not be even skin-deep, but its members are certainly free from the aspersion of being antiquities. Of the princi- pals little need be said, as they and their histories are better known to New Yorkers than their Bibles. Were the time of performance shortened a little, ‘The Brigands" would be just such an entertainment as is pleasing to nine hundred out of every thousand people who patronize light opera. Metcalfe, PICTORIAL SHAKESPEARE. “T HAVE DONE THE STATE SOME SERVICE, AND THEY KNOW Othello. A TEACUP DIALOGUE. AT MRS. WASHINGTON SQUARE'S, FRIDAY, FROM 4 TILL 7. MUSIC. Marca RET: Why, Helen, how do you do? THINKS: She looks fagged out; she certainly has Jaded awfully. [ wonder who made her gown? HELEN: Very well, dear. Tired, of course; it’s so long a season every one’s tired. , THINKS: J might as well talk to her tll some one better turns up. MARGARET: Yes, of course. Who's here? THINKS: Her coupé ts at the door, and she must be going to the Grammercy Park's. I don't suppose it will do any good, but [ll be particularly agreeable and see. HELEN: Nobody. I'm bored to death. I'm only waiting till I can go. ; THINKS: Mow hideous you look in that hat! Though comicbooks.com rv