"Les Cloches de Corneville."

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 208, 4 September 1886, Page 2

"Les Cloches de Corneville."

The Opera House was again crowdod with a fashionable audience last evening, and by tho time tho opening overture had terminated chairs had to be placed down the aitJos in order to accommodate the late comers who had not previously obtained season tickets. In the face of such large gatherings in the building, this syfitem is to be deprecated, for in tho event of fire groat loss of life mutt assuredly ensue ou account of the passages being blocked with the chairs. Another unp'.eaeant foaturo was observable last night. In more than one instance holders of reserved seata ware annoyed upon arrival to find that tbo uehors had kindly placed other ladies in possession. Naturally, if this continues, tbe public will aoou arrive at tho conclusion that it is us less to referve scats if they are not allowed to occupy them. Iho performance, as usual, was an unqualified success. Many of tho itema were encored, and in one instance a treble repetition was demanded by the audience. This, although decidedly complinoeutary, has the effect of making the performance unusually lenethy, and therefore tiring tothose engaged. The whole company were called before tho curtain at the conclusion of the second scene, when Mr A. Tavler (Gaapard tho Miser) received a shower of bouquets. During the performance the audience generously poured in these floral tributes of their esteem, Mrs Cooper receiving half a-dozeu, and Mies Holroydo being similarly favoured. Mr E. P. Hudson, after going through somo of hia fraly astonishing antic?, wae also rewarded with a couple of bouquets. The tableau at the end of tbe second act was very effective, and the audience were held i spellbound by tho bloodcurdling shrieks of theunfortunate Gaspard. When the curtain fell .the app'auao was long continued, and an enthusiastic call before the curtain resulted. Mr J. B. Gilfillan, the Treasurer of tho Company,appeared before the curtain at (he closa of tho firnt act, :tad notified those present tlmt.owiug to the patronage accoided, the Committee had resolved to repeat " Les Cloches de Corneville" for three extra nights next week. Of courpe, the existing season tickets will not be available on those occasions.