AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 713, 2 October 1876, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

LYDIA HOWARDS BURLESQUE TROUPE.

There was a good attendance at the Music Hall on Saturday evening, to witness the programme of the previous night. The company were again very successful in that charming little operatta “Trial by Jury,” which was given with great enthusiasm, and warmly received by the audience. The scenes from the “The School for Scandal, and the burlesque of “ The Three Musketdears ” were again capitally enacted by the troupe, and the hearty applause of the auditory testified how fully the efforts of the performers were appreciated. To-night the new burlesque of “ Girofle-Girofla ” will be presented. This opera has been under rehearsal for some weeks past, during which time new scenery has been painted, and some very choice and new selections of music have been rehearsed, the opera being almost entirely musical, of a light and brilliant character. From the way in which it has been got up, and the admirable and pleasing nature of the burlesque, we anticipate it will find great favor with the public and have a long run. The following is the legend of the opera: “ Don Bolero d’Alcarazas (Mr Harry Power), a Grandee of Spain, and his wife Aurore (Miss Ashton), have two children, twin daughters, Girofle and Girofla (Miss Lydia Howarde), who are so remarkably alike, that the only way of distinguishing them is by their clothes. One wears blue, and the other pink. Don Bolero, when the piece opens, is in great trouble and danger from two quarters ; he owes four million of francs to a banking house, Marasquin et Cie., and is thieatened with proceedings for its recovery ; while he is also in dread of an invasion of his territory by a fierce neighbor of his, a Moor, Mourzouk (Mr Cary). Aurore has contrived to appease these two enemies by sending them the portraits of her daughters, and arranging a double marriage,—Marasquin (Mr Towle) to marry Giroffe, and Mourzouk, Girofla, The piece opens on the wedding day. Marasquin arrives attired for the bridal, and is indignant when he is informed that Mourzouk, owing to a toothache, is unable to come, and that the wedding must be postponed until the next day. Bolero, from motives of economy, will not give two breakfasts, and wishes both the weddings to be on the same day. But Marasquin insists on being married at once. All is arranged, when Girofla is carried off by a redoubtable band of pirates. Bolero sends a celebrated admiral, Matamoros, in pursuit of the pirates, and he undertook to restore him his daughter by the evening. In the meantime, Mouizouk recovered..from his toothache, having had his teeth pulled out, appears, ready also to be married, and demands his bride. Every one is frightened at his fierce appearance and manners; Bolero is afraid to tell him that Girofla has been carried away, and tries to put» him off, but Mourzouk, in a most threatening manner, insists on her being produced at once. Aurore at last hits on a plan, and putting the pink ribbon on Girofle, introduces her to Mourzouk as Girofla, in order to gain time. In their terror, they allow her to go through the marriage ceremony with Mourzouk in place of her sister, although she is already married to Marasquin, intending to substitute Girofla for her when she is brought back by the Admiral. Various expedients are resorted to by Bolero and his wife to keep Girofle out of sight of her two husbands, until the return of her sister, and much confusion naturally ensues. The hour approaches at which Matamoros promised to appear, when a messenger arrives from him with the appalling news that he has been defeated by the pirates, and that Girofla is on her way to the Seraglio of Constantinople. There is now no chance of her being recovered until the r« xt day, although Matamoros intends starting again in pursuit; Bolero and Aurore, in an agony of terror, lock Mourzouk up in his room. The next day Mourzouk, furious at the treatment he has received, having smashed all the furniture in his room to calm himself a little, demands an explanation. Bolero attempts to ex plain, but fails, and begs Marasquin to allow his wife—Girofle—to personate her sister for a short time. Marasquin is most unwilling, but yields to the deception to save his father in-law, with the understanding that Mourzouk is obliged to depart in an hour on an expedition. Mourzouk demands to beleftalonctofallc with his wife, and the time of departure approaching, takes hrs leave. Bolero, Aurore, Marasquin, _ and Girofle break into manifestations of joy at his de parture, and Marasquin embraces Girotle with effusion. Mourzouk at this moment returns, and seeing all this, demands of Marasquin what he means by kissing his (Mouizouk’a) wife. Marasquin refuses to explain, and Mouizouk challenges him to combat. Marasquin will not fight, and tells Mourzouk the truth. Another explosion of r«ge from Mouizouk is imminent, when Matamoros returns, bringing back Girofla, whom be has rescued, and every one is tatiefiedi”