"THE SORCERER."

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 258, 31 October 1890, Page 3

"THE SORCERER."

" The Sorcebeb, " is now the general topic of conversation among people who are fond of an evening's pleasant amusement. " Hovr do you think it will go ?" "la Miss Buckland good?" "What is the chorus like ?" "Do the songs euib Tom Jackson ?" and such like are the questions that agitate the public mind almost) as much as the general election. Judging from a rehearsal which took place lasb evening in the Opera House, the first in that building, a great treat is in store for the public next week, when " The Sorcerer" will be staged. Of course lasfc night's affair was like all rehearsals, in thab ifo had vory little of the air of a public performance. The members of the chorus talked genially round the wings or wandered into the body of the house. Mr A. Tayler (John Wellington Wells) rushed- here and there in his office of stage manager, showing this one where to stand ana that one how to twisb face or body. Mr F. Earl was there, too, giving a helping hand ia coaching up refractory members of the chorus. The principals moved aboub easily, and took the occasional growls of the stage manager with perfect .good humour. Everything was informal, bub through all ib could be seen that everybody was in earnest about making the production as near perfection as possible. Judging then from last evening's work, it is safe to predict that " The Sorcerer " will be a success. Miss Buckland is well suited in the music and her acting promises to be as good as ever. In duets with Mr Jackson the two voices blend splendidly. Mr Jackson's tenor will be heard to great advantage, and his acting is improved. Miss Steele and Miss Warren both promise to do really well. At rehearsals they act wonderfully well for beginners, and both eing well. Mr 3 Clutsam should do well as Dame Fartlett, judging from last evening. Mr Percy Dufaur ia quite as good as he was lasb time "The Sorcerer" was produced. He is in splendid roice just now, as is Mr Jackson. Mr Chambers acts well, and Mr Hamerton is a promising amateur.

The remaining rehearsals will no doubt make' the performers much better than they were last night, and then they will be very good indeed. The orchestra is under Herr Carl Schmitt, which is sufficient! to prove that it will be successful in its duties. The whole of the performers are practically word-perfect, and ib waa really surprising how little prompting had to be done last evening. Monday evening next should present an interesting scene at the Opera House. /■'.■.«