The Pirate Queens of Seattle

It is a worthy thing to be remarked upon that there should be in so small a city as Seattle an amateur opera company so excellent as that which appeared in the performance of 'The Pirates of Penzance' at Yesler Hall last evening. We know something about amateur theatricals, and it must have been thought at all marvelous that our young city could have produced on the boards something very entertaining in that field. But after witnessing the above company, one is led to know what manner of musical talent was to contribute from this community for our enjoyment. 'First rate,' 'Tip top,' 'Far in advance of all reasonable expectations,' were exclamations heard at the finale.

The opera was, nevertheless, a strong production. The leading parts displayed a polish and skill which may be attained only by considerable practice, and which would well support the claims of any professional. Both singing and acting were highly creditable, such as a city moral times larger than Seattle would be proud of. The opera is a burlesque; about it is the piano of the Misses Piafort. There is a very fine element of chorus throughout: twelve pirates, twelve policemen, and twelve ladies. In the lair of the pirates, by the way, were not as half-fed Comanches, accustomed to bread and low lager regularly, but a really formidable collection of ladies, the daughters of the Major General.

The most distinguished of the Major General’s daughters was Mabel, a character enacted by Miss K. Parkinson, whose clear, sweet, and flexible voice gave her by all odds the mastership of the cast—a veritable prima donna. She has a fine, true voice, and not only Seattle, but the Territory likewise, may well be proud of her.