THE OPERA.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9019, 4 February 1895, Page 3

THE OPERA.

"MAM'ZELLE NITO I/CHE."

Like «• La Cigale," the motif of " Mam 1 * zelle Nitouohe," which Christchurch play, goera saw oo Saturday night; for tho first time, turns mainly upon tho adventures of a young girl on the stage. This time it is a novice in a convent, not a oountry girl. But, unlike " Cigale," the piece has uo pretensions to be called an opera. It is simply a farce into which several songs have been introduced. It affords an opportunity to Miss Stewart to display her wonderful versatility and greater histrionic* ability. The idea of the piece is entiroly French, aud there is infused into it that piquancy which ordinarily departs uuder the ordeal oi translation. It is fnil of reckless and audacious fun, and the large audience seemed to enjoy it to the full Miss Stewart excelled herself in the dramatic pourtrayal of the part. She entered completely into the abandon which is the characteristic feature, not only of tho impersonation, but of the piece itself. Nothing could be more intensely comic than the wild dance with M. (Jelestin, strongly contrasting with the demure appearanct of the novice. Mies Stewart had to respond to an encore for this song and dance, ant the audience were still unsatisfied. She was also very good indeed in the song witk guitar accompaniment, and in the Indian princess where she takes up the part of the aotress. Aβ the drummer boy Miss Stewart , created quite & furore. Her song, and the wonderfully artistic manner in which sht played the drum induced a triple encore. Her .make-up for the drummer, 'too, was very good. The other lady characters have nob been made important by the author. Miss Florence Young was good as Oorinne, and her scenes with the Major were very well played. Miss May Pollard made a good dea? of the character of the Lady Superior, and MissOsborne was successful in her bye-play as the janilress.

Mr Brownlow has several songs to sing which he does very well indeed. He also acted with coasiderable ability, particularly in the screen scene with Mam'zelU Nitouche. His most succeeaful numbers were "Beware" and "The Song of the Regiment," which were both given in a manner evoking a enthusiaatio redemand. Mr Lauri, as M. Celestin, kept the audience in a roar of laughter the whoU time he was on the stage. The scene with Miss Stewart in the first aot, where they go through the song aud dance from the opera is funny in the extreme. So also were the scenes with the major in the greeo room of the theatre, and afterwards in the barrack yard. Mr Lauri's acting must be seen to be appreciated as ib deserves. Ids Vernon made a good deal of the part pt ttit Major, and Messrs) Deaae, Roaevear and Liesant were successful in their respective rolei. ■ >

The Frenoh ballet evoked a perfect storm of applause, and it had to be danoed three times. The ladies oomprising the corps da lallet are exceedingly clever, and some remarkable feats were introduced.

The Raiubow Ballet, whioh oonolttded the programme, is a most charming spectacle, and the ladios displayed connioferable artistic ability. The stage at one time was a mass of cloudlike waving draperies, on which were thrown all kinds of tints, making one of the most charming stage .pictures we have ever seen. Mite Lucy Oobb'a pas mil at tho close was beautifully done, and the throwing ou to the white .draperies of a number of portraits by limelight was as unique as it wjls effectives. Tho Mnale of this ballet ie a perfect coru-eation pt iOolour. Tho piece was well put; on the fatftge, the set of tho barraok yard in the third act being especially good. The same bill will be repeated to-night.