New-York Theatre

Brief: “Sophie Worrell rather ‘overdoes’ the part of Helen at the New York theatre. She was hissed last night.”

“The escapades and frolics of the captivating Paris and the fair but fickle Helen, as portrayed by the vivacious and sparkling sisters Irene and Sophie Worrell, in the lively musical burlesque now on the boards at this theatre, is one of the most amusing theatrical attractions of the day and is certainly better suited for the display of the peculiar abilities of these gifted young ladies than any piece in which they have as yet appeared together. The acting is fair, the singing good, and the play, considered as an absurd musical burlesque up on a burlesque, possesses an attraction almost as potent as that which centuries ago drew around the original, erring brace of worthies in classic Troy all that was noble and brave in chivalrous Greece. The only grease discernible here, however, is concentrated upon one or two spots on the scenery, and might be more judiciously applied to machinery, which, by the way, works abominably; the scenery, too, is not so good as the play demands, neither does it harmonize or contrast nicely with the superb costumes of the popular sisters. Scenery alone very often plays an important part in the theatre, and, it certainly should never be entirely ignored or permitted to deteriorate beyond the mediocre. Last evening the house was crowded and the playing and singing fully appreciated by the audience, as was attested by the vociferous rounds of applause that greeted Orestes, Helen and Paris, and which at times almost interrupted the piece. Miss Jennie Worrell as Orestes never appeared to better advantage, and has seldom been in finer voice, and, in fact, the same might be said of both the other sisters, Irene and Sophie Worrell.”

Brief: “The burlesque of ‘Paris and Hellen’ [sic] is very well presented, and the music from Offenbach’s comic opera of ‘La Belle Helene’ is heartily applauded each evening.”