Humpty Dumpty

Complete cast.

“The performance of the Martens family can be thus designated: Their ‘Tyrolean Eccentricities’ are by no means the conventional warblings with which the tenor parts in M. Offenbach’s operettas are invariably supplied, but a very singular and amusing trio, capitally executed. As for the ‘Cat Duet,’ sung by two of the same persons, it is altogether fresh to local playgoers, and one of the most finished specimens of such work as well as one of the most potent to command uproarious laughter. Both the tyrolienne and the duo were redemanded, yesterday, and the hilarity which the latter executed was unprecedented in the annals of the merry house.”

“…two of them [the Martens family] appeared in the celebrated cat duet, which is irresistibly funny and natural withal. This latter feature alone is almost an evening’s entertainment in itself.”

“In the way of miscellaneous particulars, it may be noted that Mr. Strebinger furnished a great deal of lively music, of an appropriately ‘popular’ character.”

“In the Market Place scene Little Jennie Yeamans, attired in the full costume of a belle of the period, wearing a green satin dress, with long train profusely trimmed with lace, sang a song about the beaux and belles of the period, which was loudly re-demanded and cheerfully accorded.”  “Immediately succeeding the ballet came the Marten family, who sang eccentric Tyrolean melodies. They have excellent voices, and evidently a high degree of musical culture. They sang a number of selections, the title of each of which was announced by Mons. Marten in a highly comical manner. At the conclusion they were vociferously applauded, and in acknowledgment repeated a brief refrain.” “After this Mons. and Mme. Marten sang a duet entitled ‘The Cats.’ Instead of words the voices of two cats were imitated, the effect being most ludicrous and upon the audience most electrical. The applause at its conclusion was almost deafening, and to appease the audience they were compelled to repeat it. Its execution was most artistic, the imitation of the peculiarities of the feline voices being close to nature.”