AMUSEMENTS.
Thomas Q. Seabrooke played "The Isle of Champagne" to good business at the Lansing last night. The isle of the intoxicating name is really so effervescent that there is very little to say of it. It has some very attractive scenery, moderately interesting lines, more plot than is usual in comic operas, and it has not as yet been uncorked long enough to be flat. It carries a good deal of foam, and while it is hardly sparkling enough to necessitate an extravagant use of congress water the next morning, it would certainly be unfair to pronounce it "extra dry." Indeed, it is rather more amusing that most comic operas.
Mr. Seabrooke himself is just as funny as he used to be. He is never loud or offensive and his fun is of the sly and quiet kind that hits the mark. He can behave himself and be funny at the same time, which is rather unusual and always appreciated. He is not gifted with the strong individual mannerisms which are a boon to the comic opera men who are fortunate enough to possess them. With the exception of the dance with his legs at right angle and the neat little red bow which gathered his few thin locks, he rather lacks original "business," and sometimes savors of a slight immitation of De Wolfe Hopper .
Mr. Seabrook's wife, Elvia Croix , was doubtless delighted to see her name printed on the program as Elisa. Miss Croix is getting just a shade too plump, but she certainly cannot be accused of waning energy. She dances well and does her best all the time. You feel that she is giving you just the sweetest smiles she has and is not saving the choice ones for the next town. She is not very effective because she lacks any particular cleverness. Indeed, if there is any fault at all to be found with the company it is that it does not have enough of its own way and too much of the way of comic opera in general. It lacks strong specific features.
The song, "She Could Not Understand," by Miss Croix a d Mr. Seabrooke was thoroughly funny and they had to furnish fully half a dozen encores.
Messrs. McDonald and Baker as Moet and Chandon were masterpieces of make-up and by no means amateurs at ornamental dancing.
The finale of act II was an illustration of how beautiful stage effects can be. The applause was loud and continuous and most of the audience will need a little pounded ice this morning.
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