Paris and Helen

Brief: “…and at the New-York Theatre three pretty girls perplexed themselves with the story of the beautiful Helen. The attendance at the last-named establishment was good. . . . Of the English version of ‘La Belle Hélène’ it is not possible to speak now. It is no improvement on the French rendering of the same work."

“The pretty, prattling, piquant, pleasing, and of course popular young ladies—to whose industry and enterprise the public is indebted for a rapid succession of lively amusement—the Worrell sisters, reopened their cosey [sic] little theatre Monday night, thoroughly renovated and to a crowd of admirers, and presented an admirable performance of a burlesque of ‘La Belle Hélène.’”

Description of renovations and preview.

Brief.

“The house was densely crowded on the opening night, and continued so each evening throughout the week. As a burlesque ‘Paris and Helen’ is by no means a success, as it does not possess one really good pun. It is, however, free from vulgarity, and has some of the best and sprightliest music Offenbach affords. It is further enlivened by song, duet and dance. Although the burlesque has some pretty good rhymes, the puns are so far fetched that the audience fail to catch them in time. The general mounting of the burlesque reflects the highest credit on the taste and skill of the managements. . . . The apotheosis at the end of the piece is in itself very handsome. It was received with great applause, and every song and dance was encored, to the great and sometimes ludicrous discomfiture of the overtaxed performers in general, and Miss Sophie in particular. The Worrell Sisters dressed magnificently, and danced and sang with so much vivacity as to draw down loud marks of popular gratification. Jennie had very little to do, but was sprightly, agile and full of dash.  Irene, who was well made up for the part of Paris, was satisfactory in the rôle.  Jame Dunn was a clever representative of Menelaus, and Welsh Edwards made a comic Calchas. George Lingard, Villa, Hurley and Corrister, made the most of unimportant parts. The choruses were effectively given, and the orchestra did justice to Offenbach’s music. ‘Paris and Helen’ ought to enjoy a run.”