Miniature Marionette Theatre

     “Opera, the regular drama, negro minstrelsy, and the ballet are reproduced.”

     “In Grand Fairy Extravaganzas, Musical and Comic Interludes, Grand Ballet, and Brilliant Harlequinades.”

      “Last night the Marionette theatre, which for many years has been an institution  in Paris, Milan, Naples and other cities of Europe, originally established by M. Seraphin, was inaugurated for the first time in this country at the Stuyvesant Institute.  It is a most amusing performance, in which puppets are made to represent living actors, vocalists and ballet dancers, and is a most appropriate entertainment for young people. At the first performance the intricate machinery could not be expected to work to perfection, nevertheless the representation last evening was, in many respects, excellent. The ballet was especially good, and the antics of the miniature harlequins were almost as perfect as nature. The dialogue and vocalism are, of course, executed by living artists behind the scenes; but are so well done in conjunction with the actions of the puppets, as to produce a very agreeable deception. This novelty is certain to prove a success.”

     No mention of music.  “Stuyvesant Hall has been fitted up with a nice little stage, and the grandson of somebody who invented Marionettes has brought over a company of dolls to play upon it. The arrangements last evening were somewhat incomplete, and the stage-manager had occasionally to put his hand upon the stage to remove the properties—which created a rather overwhelming effect. The little figures were managed well so far as their arms were concerned, but they hopped off the stage like diminutive Kangaroos, and staggered in serious moments like helpless inebriates. The exhibition seems to have opened too soon, and at present is not entitled to much consideration. When everything is in proper order we expect that the Marionettes will be as popular here as in Europe.”