THE OPERA HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 102, 2 May 1898, Page 2

THE OPERA HOUSE.

"PAUL JONES."

A well-tilled house greeted the revival of " I'aul Jones " on Saturday evening by the Follanl Opera Company. Apparently public appreciation of Planquettc's tuneful opera has not waned since last the piece was staged here ; the familiar music retains all its old power to charm, and the humour has not lost its freshness, if laughter, frequent and hearty, be any criterion. Perhaps, too, this story of the famous American privateer and his Spanish enemies is invested with fresh interest at a time when " letters of marque," such as Paul Jones sailed under, form an absorbing topic of conversation. ■ To be sure his adventures in the opera have not much in common with the present crisis of to-day, but there is enough to catch the attention, and at any rate the audience applauded vociferously when old Bouillabaisse nourished his cutlass and with a line scorn dared'thc Spanish don toinsulta "free-born American citizen of nearly three years' standing."

The piece went as well as ever on Saturday night, and ail the good things had to be repeated. Miss Marion Mitchell sustained her old part of Yvonne with success, winning frequent applause for her very capable singing anil acting. Her rendering of the line solo, "Before the Altar Now I'm Kneeling," drew applause from all the audience. Miss Maun Beatty also had a llattering reception, and showed to advantage as the great Paul, a privateer skipper with a weakness for dress and an enviable knack of accumulating " one million francs" in a brief three years. The part of Chopinette, a pretty young housewife, with a delightfully uncertain temper, was allotted as before to Miss May Beatty, and needless to say received full iutiee at her hands. The piquant ditty, " lie Looked at My Sabots," was sung very effectively, and had to be repeated. Mr Alf. Stephens and Master C. Albert were very funny as the " mariners bold," and Mr W. S. Percy contrived to make the part of Don Troeadero •an exceedingly amusing one, without unduly exaggerating the eccentricities of that peculiar hidalgo. Miss Emily Metcalfe appeared as Ruflino, and Mr E. Nable as Bicoquet, both doing good work in their respective parts. The other roles were capably sustained. '' Paul Jones" will be given, once more this evening, and on Tuesday night "La Fille do Madame Angot" will be staged for the first time in Auckland.