The Free Press, in speaking of this magnificent display, said, “The stage set was the most elaborate affair of the times ever seen here. The large choruses were well trained; the principals were as effective as possible, the speciality performers were above the average, and altogether the performance was the most extensive entertainment imaginable, both in the diversity of its features and in the dimension of the stage. It is impossible to enumerate all its features. The sight was of a dazzling nature, when the entertainment was at its height. It is needless to mention the various set features but they were marvels of delight to the 6,000 or so people assembled and the “oh’s” and “ah’s” became a general murmur of admiration and pleasure. Certainly the effect was startling in the extreme, and nothing stronger or more sensational could have been devised.” The Tribune, in speaking of the performance, said, “Lalla Rookh is as brilliant as a butterfly’s wings. Fully 10,000 people visited the spectacle last night. To attempt to describe the brilliant setting would be about as profitable as to endeavor to catalogue the colors of a butterfly’s wings or to write and essay on a half dozen rainbows. The fact is, “Lalla Rookh is one those spectacles not to be adequately described at any treat length unless one desires to become ridiculous.” The News characterized it as a “splendid show, witnessed by many thousand people,” and estimated the attendance at 10,000, with as many more on the outside of the enclosure. It said in a sub-headline that the special features formed “a good vaudeville show.” In closing a description of the show the New said, “The show was over at 10:50 o’clock and everybody went home voting it a great success.” Performances are to be given every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night until August 10, with a grand gala night.
[tags]Ann Arbor Register, August, 1895[/tags]