THE GAIETY COMPANY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8485, 17 May 1893, Page 5

THE GAIETY COMPANY.

"FAUST UP TO DATE."

The first representation in Christohurch of the/in de siecle style of burlesque, which has made tho name of the Gaiety Theatre world-wide in its celebrity, waa a complete success last night alike artistically and as to the large and brilliant audieuoe whioh greeted tho advent of the company. The . piece chosen for the occasion is a modesiusation, alike as to treatment and general surroundings, of the well-known opera of " Faust, and the joint authors, deserting for a time the patriotic aud sensatioual style with whioh their names havo been connected, give us plenty of bright, sparkling, and witty dialogue wed led to pretty aud catching music. Some of the aira, notably those sung by Miss Addiu Conyers, are entitled to take high rank musically, but, as might be expected, the majority of tho numbers are songa tho popularity of which waa fully attested by their being whistled through the streets at the close ot tho porformauca last night. " Faust Up to Date" affords also a good opportunity for display in tho matter of stage groupings, in-rehos, _c, which are the lile and soul of the modern burlesque ; and Messrs Williamson and Muagrove are to be congratulated upon having given Christchurcii playgoers a series of stage pageants and groupings far excelling anything that has ever been seen on our local boards.

The principal portion of tho work of the piece falls upon Mr E. J. Lounen, who is a comedian of rare ability. His Mepbiatopbeles is a wonderful performance, full of vivacity and exhibiting a versatility and power of by-play which must be seen to be thoroughly appreciated. His powers of facial expression are exceedingly great, and added to this, lie dances with much grace and daftness. The opening song, "I shall havo 'em," at once established him as a prime favourite with the audience, aud his acting in the scene where he changes the elder Faust into tho smart young masher officer was wonderfully clever. So, too, were his scenes with Martha and the gardeu scene, in which the wit and humour of the authors is displayed to the fullest extent. Iv these Mr Lounen showed such a keen sense of humour, and entered so thoroughly and completely into the spirit of the piece, as to arouse the enthusiasm of the audieuce to the highest pitch. His wonderful versatility was, perhaps, most exemplified in the two entirely different" roles of tho "Johnnie," dear to Gaiety hearts, aud the coster, who ainga of " Mrs 'Enery 'Awkins." The former was a life-like pourtrayal of the vapid Loudon youth Whom Punch so keenly satirises, and evoked an enthusiastic recognition at the hands of the audience. His coster song was in itself a most perfect pieoo of character acting. Every gesture, every detail was true to nature, and it was difficult to bolieve that It was the same person, so entirely did Mr Lonnen merge his identity. The .dance at the close of the song was a wonderful study, fully as artistic as the song itself. Quite a totally differout style.was his singing of " EnuUcorthy," in which both In brogue aud acting lie was the typical Irishman to the life. Throughout the whole of a very arduous part Mr Lounen sang, acted and danced with a skill and comic power which made his representation of tho evil genius of the opera most enjoyable. He had to respond to several ro-demands, particularly in the coster song, for which there was a triple enoore.

Miss Addie Conyers as Marguerite both looked and acted the character splendidly. She possesses a sympathetic mezzosoprano voice, which was heard to great advantage in the musio allotted to the, part, which has as already been said is of a more pretentious character—musically speaking— than the majority of the numbers. This was particularly noticeable in tho pretty song, "I love always." Miss Conyers is full of vivacity, and gives the smart lines of the dialogue with great spirit and effect.

Miss Lethbridge is a most charming and graceful exponent of the newest style of stage-dancing—which, by the way, we are told has invaded the drawing-rooms of London society—known as skirt dancing. She gave two very graceful aud artistic dances during the opera, and was most successful, receiving enthusiastic encores. There is such an entire absence of effort in Miss Lethbridge's dancing that at once takes the audience by storm, added to which the young lady is ono of considerable personal attractions. She Bpoke the dialogue allotted to tho part of Elaa with a good deal of spirit and effect, and scored a very successful debut.

Miss Alice Learner is a little lady who is sure to be a great favourite witb Christchurch audiences. She dances with (great abandon', and in the well-known " Ta-ra-ra'* not only astonished the audience by the wonderful agility with which she executed the complicated steps of that fascinating dance, but also the humour she infused into the acting of the words. She had to respond to a triple encore. In the earlier portion of the piece she gavo a song and dance, combining the skirt dance and the old-fashioned clog, with a vivacity and go which at onoe ensured her a most favourable verdict. Miss Lelia Roze made a very excellent Faust, playing the part with a good deal of success, alike in singing and acting. Miss Laura Honey was excellent as Martha, and ably seconded Mr Lonnen, particularly in the garden scene. Miss Aggie Kelton made a very good Siebel. Mr Courfcneidge as Valentine—not the dashing young soldier of tho opera, but a totally different personage—was splendid throughout. He is a comedian of a very high order, aad his singing of " We give 'em ; awa*"jand "A soldier born," waa funny in the "Extreme. The distribution of tho %&u_ls ! created roars of laughter, Mr Courtneidge'a local hits boing partiqtilarly happy. The part id intended as a strong foil to that of Mephistophelcs, and Mr Courtneidge succeeded most admirably in this. Throughout the piece ho kept the audience in a continuous simmer of merriment. His clever performance of the part stamps Mr Courtneidge as one of the best character actors we havo had here.

Mr Haslem was very good as old Faust, and Mr Minshali revived memories of Howard Vernon in the part of tho Chan* cellor.

Of tbe young ladies of tho chorus, it may be said that they are exceedingly well drilled, and make quite t un imposing array. All the groupings, marches, &c, are per* formed with great precision and and effect. They sing and dance well, and generally the effect last night as a whole was exceedingly good. Mr Lovell Phillips conducts a moss efficient orchestra with considerable skill. The overture and all the music throughout the piece last night was played very artistically, and tho orchestra contributein no small degree to what was really a great artistic success. The piece is spendidly put on the stage. The opening scone is a wonderful bit of painting, the perspective being excellent. This is by Mr Brunton. The change to the garden scene is also well managed. The dresses are excellent, particularly in, the second act, when the army returns. Every arm of the service is represented" by uniforms, and the effect ia really fine, To-night *' Faust" will be repeated, and will no doubt draw a packed bouse.