Theatre Comique

Grand opening of the fourth season, Monday, August 10; theatre entirely renovated and repainted; first class performances only; cast listing for Budworth’s farce. 

“…The programme last evening was a varied one, consisting chiefly of negro burlesque, serio-comic songs, musical divertissement and mirth-provoking dialogue…The negro songs and dances of Cogill and Cooper were overdone, and bore but little resemblance to plantation life;…the vocalization of Miss Pieris was of a superior order, and called forth frequent applause…With very few exceptions the entire company acquitted themselves admirably, and if last night be a fair test of what is to follow nightly throughout the season the Comique is certainly to retain its old popularity with those who prefer variety entertainments to comedy, tragedy or drama.”

Names of members of Breban’s troupe and company members. 

“…Mlle. Zitella, who has abandoned gymnastic feats, sang serio-comic songs with rapid changes of costume, which pleased her auditors, notwithstanding that she has not as yet completely mastered the pronunciation of our language…Miss Nully Pieris was warmly welcomed, and liberally applauded for her vocal efforts…James McKee sang a new and original character song, written by David Braham and entitled ‘Over the Hill to the Poorhouse,’ which met with much favor. The sentiment and music of the song are both good. The Berban Swiss Bellringers, four in number, performed to a selection of popular airs; Kate Brevoort elicited harmonious sounds from musical glasses; Julian Breban gave a solo on staff bells; and their performances, which met with a fair degree of favor, terminated with other pleasing airs, performed with the bells. Kate O’Connor’s sweet and melodious voice was advantageously heard in Irish songs…A good average business was done during the week.”