Communication

Editor Courier: I read with interrst your criticism on the performance of Iolanthe by our amateur eompany, and though it is not in niy province to make cominents pro or con a bout the exccution of tlie principal paita, [ must beg liowever to diflfei with you iu onc or two partícula conceraing tue chorus or tlie scenic effect. And first allow me to cousíder myself as one of tliose, who think the Peers' Chorus every wlut equal to the one of the Abbotts's company, not as to volume of voice, though the difference s trifling, but as to excellency of movement, actitig and rendering of the musió. Indeed, I think our chorus of Peer and Peris, fully equal to the Barton's and superior to the Abbott's chorus. As to the fallare of the artistic effect of the second act, I will simply explain the scenery, and I trust you will coacede that your crlticisin was not called for. At first, the stage represents the eourtyard of the House of Parliament, or is supposed to do so. The scenery is the ooe sed by the Emma Abbott Company, ttavlng on the left-hand side a raiUng, beliind which is a park, i.e., trees; the light used on the railings could not be used, owing to the special difficultiesoffered by a broken seeuery. So you see the reason for the appearance of the trees. If they were too light for a night scène, it is the fiiult of the accommodatiou of the Ann Arbor stage. Xow the scène is a moonlight scène, up to the end of the Lord Chancellor's solo, when it is broad daylight. Now the only light used i u the first part of the act was calcium light, to represent the moonlight. Owing to the imperfect arrangement of the gas in the opera house, we could not obtain as dark a stage as was desirable, but the lights were turned as low as it was safe to do. But whcn the Chancellor's said. But the nlgbt Is passed. And ' tis daylight at last. l'hc moon disappeared and the light was turned full - as it ought to be. Hoping these explauations will satisfy you, I remain Youis cordially, P. R. De Pont, Stage Manager. Note : - Allow me to correct also the statement as to the object of the concert to be given on the 15th. It is not for the benefit of Prof. Cady and myself, but for the Musical Society. [A second glance at the article on the concert of the Musical Society in last weeks paper will convince that we dld not state that it was for the benefit of any one. - Ed ]