”The comic opera, ‘ Westward Ho,’ by Richard D. Ware, music by Benjamin E. Woolf, contains a new idea, different even from Kingsley’s novel. It applies Horace Greeley’s advice to the weaker sex, and represents a Utopia in Wyoming created by the influx of Eastern girls, who, devoted to woman suffrage, have cleared the town of the desperado elements, and even fill political offices. Like ‘The Politician’ and at ‘ The New Woman,’ Mr. Ware has treated with skill the emancipated woman, and sacrificed enough truth to meet the demands of humor. The pretty women of the town look charming in their semi-masculine attire, of which the neatly fitting knickerbockers ‘ produced the most characteristically male effect. Miss Annie Lewis, in this attire, made a most executive president of the Y. W. I. C. C, Miss Anne Sutherland a prosecuting attorney, and Miss Fannie Johnston, a strapping young sheriff— altogether too charming and handsome for such an unpleasant office. Mr. J. H. Riley as the English earl makes the hit of the evening for his impersonation, while Messrs. Marion and Davenport played the soft-hearted ex-desperado and gambler acceptably to the audience. Mr. Clinton Elder as Reginald had by far the most opportunity for display of vocal power, most of the members being rather subdued in scope.

The libretto is naturally subordinate to the score and only to be considered as its vehicle. The opera is one which we are glad to have seen and if it did not move as smoothly as a well-established opera, it gives promise of a good future.”

Reference Data:

National Magazine, Vol. 1, by Brayley, Tarbell and Chapple, 1895, pages 568-9