Grand Opera House

“Burlesque likewise holds sway at the Grand Opera House, where the sketchy Lingard, the operatic Pauls and the bleached blondes hold forth but for two more weeks. The burlesque of ‘Pluto’ is still upon the bills.”

An account of the evening’s unusual events, similarly described in the <i>New York Clipper</i> review.

“The Lingards, by reason of their little matrimonial difficulty, now, we trust, happily healed, have become more than ever attractive, and with the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Paul, draw large crowds to the Grand Opera House. Miss Dunning failed to appear at the Saturday matinee, but is announced for this evening.”

“The W. H. Lingard Combination, including Mr. and Mrs. Howard Paul, did a very good business at the Grand Opera House the past week. On Wednesday evening the house was crowded in every part, many of whom had no doubt been attracted there out of curiosity to see the principals in the late family difficulty [see Program Details]… In the burlesque of ‘Pluto’ Mr. Lingard and Alice Dunning have one or two scenes to themselves. This fact attracted the attention of many who were anxious to see how matters stood between them. In the scene where Orpheus (Miss Dunning) demands of Pluto (Mr. Lingard) her release from Hades, Mr. Lingard appeared very nervous and excited. Mr. Harris (Prosperine) hands Mr. Lingard a pasteboard pass from the infernal regions, which he gives Miss Dunning. His excitement was noticed by all, and just as Miss Dunning began to sing, ‘Fare Thee Well, Dove,’ he flung aside all restraint, and catching her in his arms, kissed her again and again. Miss Dunning, rushing from his embrace, disappeared behind the scenes, leaving Mr. Lingard apparently in a fainting condition, while resting on the shoulders of Miss Harris. In a few moments he made his exit, when the audience burst forth in thunders of applause at witnessing this little scene between mand and wife. On Miss Dunning’s re-appearing she was greeted with great cheering. On reaching the finale and using the words ‘Remember Pluto,’ the audience again became very enthusiastic over the reconciliation. The curtain descended, but so loud were the calls for the hero and heroine that Mr. Lingard appeared before the curtain and said:—‘Ladies and Gentlemen—I thank you for your good wishes. Mrs. Lingard and I will get along nicely now. And I desired to commence the New Year Well, and to do better for the future. But (in great agitation) I fear my conduct on the stage this evening has only offended her whose regard I value more than the good opinions of all the world.’”