THE DRAMA IN AMERICA.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

NEW YORK JANUARY 24. — H.M.S. Pinafore, contrary to general expectation, has captured New York almost as thoroughly as it captured London. Last Saturday night nearly two hundred people were turned away from the Standard Theatre unable to gain admission; and last night another company, Rice's burlesque extravaganza combination, produced the opera at the Lyceum Theatre. It was really a much more entertaining performance than that seen at the Standard, for it had more light and sparkle to it, and was more animated throughout. Mr. William Forrester was the Sir Joseph Porter; Mr. John Vincent, Captain Corcoran; Mr. Hunter (the Lone Fisherman of Evangeline), Dick Deadeye; Miss Lizzie Webster, Ralph. Rackstraw; Miss Lenie Clancy, Josephine; and Mr. George K. Fortesque, Little Buttercup. The hit of the evening was made latter gentleman. Imagine a Little Buttercup nearly seven feet high and broad in proportion, and you have Mr. Fortesque. But you want to imagine this almost giant playing the part with all the dainty coyness of a woman before you can thoroughly realise how delightfully quaint and charming this particular bumboat woman was. For pure and unadulterated fun nothing brighter nor merrier has been seen upon the local stage for a long time.

Page modified 7 April 2010