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Buffalo Bill.
W. F. Cody and his company presented "The Prairie Waif" at the Opera-house, last evening, to a large audience. The play is an improvement on any of the plays in which "Buffalo Bull" has heretofore appeared, and gave good satisfaction. The company is an excellent one. Early in the play Buffalo Bill does some remarkable shooting which called forth protracted applause. One of the features was the trained donkey "Jerry."- Utica Daily Herald.
Buffalo Bill and troupe will give one of their performances in this city to-morrow night.
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Buffalo Bill To-Night.
Buffalo Bill came again as usual to a packed overflowing house, hundreds turned away unable to get even standing room. Prairie Waif, his new drama, is the strongest border drama ever produced. Bill himself showed to splendid advantage. His rifle-shooting beats anything we ever saw. The company supporting is a strong one- all are good. The Indians are the pure genuine article. Bill always performs just what he advertises and more too, hence the secret of his success. He always has big houses and justly deserves them. Come again, Bison William, you are always welcome. -Exchange.
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The Buffalo Bill troupe played to a fair audience at Green's Opera House last night, in the border drama of "Prairie Waif," in which there are a few pleasing scenes and situations. The piece has been written expressly to display Mr. Cody. He assumes three distinct characters with some dramatic ability. His fancy rifle shooting constitutes a feature of the entertainment. In the second act, the "Home of Buffalo Bill," nestling in the midst of a deep woodland that resounds with the warbling notes of birds, a very realistic love scene ensues between the hero and "Onita," whom he has rescued from the clutches of Mormon fiends. As a whole the scene is the most picturesque that has ever been presented on the stage. "Onita," Miss Jennie Gilbert, does not seem to be "at home" in any part of the play, and her attitudes and voice, when she is aroused, at times border on the ridiculous. Miss Lingard, as "Sadie," appeared to a very advantage, but she is too affected, and mars much of her acting by herculean endeavors to show her eyes. Mr. Jule Keen assumes the Teutonic character of "Hans" with good effect, and is a jolly, fat, good natured Dutchman.
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BUFFALO BILL.
To-night Buffalo Bill and company will appear at the Keokuk opera house in "Prairie Waif." The New York Herald is commenting on this drama says:
"Buffalo Bill made a triumphant debut in his new play. The 'Prairie Waif' was produced for the first time in the Windsor theatre last evening. It is the best border drama we have ever seen. Buffalo Bill was, of course, the central figure, and deservenly obtained the recognition of the large audience present. His sharp-shooting was excellent and his acting was vigorously and natural. Some of the points he made last night were very effective and artistic. It is but just to say that he has wonderfully improved as and actor. He has selected for his company artists who are mindful of the public demand for clever acting."
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...neither the traits of a tragedian or a comedian, merely talking his part off as a schoolboy would, but still, when he would rush on the stage, fire off a pistol, and perhaps slaughter an innocent red man, the gallery gods, as well as those seated in the parquette and dress circle, applauded till they were hoarse and could yell no longer. It is well that Cody lays no claim to histrionic ability. Hule Keen, as Hans the dutchman, was the most disagreeable feature of the programme. His mouthings were most disgusting, and his impersonation was sappy and soft. Misses Jennie Gilbert and Nellie Lingard, as Onita and Sadie respectively, were very inefficient, producing no effect whatever by their lines upon the audience. The remainder of the cast was in accordance with the above. The Indian war dance, in which Sin-se-retch-kaw, Ma-he-ut-un-kaw, De co-ray, Hoo-wa-het-fa and Wau-kon-chaw-nik-kaw participated, would cause a leather-lunged and calliope throated Zu'u to be ashamed of his wildest war hoop, and done more than infinite credit to a chorus of carousing locomotives. If Buffalo Bill possessed a first-class support his own defects could be overlooked, but he is surrounded with an inferior class of men who have no more life or animation than a cordwook stick. The performance of the trick donkey, "Jerry," was the most creditable of the whole entertainment, which ought to be considered quite a compliment to the support. The shooting of Mr. Cody was good but nothing supernatural, as a man with a glass eye could not well miss a mark with a black background at the distance Mr. Cody did his shooting. In the audience there many undoubtedly who felt amply repaid for their expenditure of time and money, but we did not. To fathers and mothers who desire to refresh the minds of their little sons and daughters with blodd curdling deeds and give them a stimulus to the perusal of dime novels and other trash literature we heartily recommend and endorse the performance of Buffalo Bill.