THE OPERA.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9022, 7 February 1895, Page 5

THE OPERA.

'• Mam'zclle Nitouche" was repealed last nisiht to a good house. Miss Nellie Stawart had to respond to encores for her duuee in tho first-act and for the drum song. Mr Brownlow was also encored for "Beware." The rainbow ballet woo again most enthusiastically received, aud it is a matter for congratulation that wo aro to have other opportunities during the fow remaining nights of the season of seeing this beautiful aud artistic production. To-night tho "Vicar of Bray" will be produced in Christchurch for tbe first time. Since tho opera was first produced in London in the year. 1882 certain alterations have been effected by the collaborators, Mr Sydney Grundy and Mr Edward Solomon, with tho result that under the new conditions the work consists for the most part of smartly written libretto aud of musio that is consistently bright and, to employ a comprehensive definition, "catchy." With all the skill which. one might expect from so able a band Mr Gundry has satirised the church and stage craze, which at the time the opera was written was attracting some attention. The play is in two acts, the first (" Low Church") opening with a scene of the Village Green at Bray whilst the action in act 2 ("High Church") takes place in the Vicarage grounds, after a lapse of twelve months. The plot, which is of a somewhat •lender description, may be described as a parody on, or the continuation of, "Sandford and Merton," a work familiar to many of ns. The dialogue is witty, piquant, full of topical hits, smart sayings, and generally "up to date." There are any amount of choruses sung by prettily dressed children, lady teachers, clerical students, pink-coated bnutstneu and daintily.clad ballet dancers. The ballet is tho chief feature in tho production, the celebrated pas de cinq being introduced in the second act. The action is vivacious and never flags, and the Btage presents in quick succession a kaleidoscope of brilliant and effective colouring. *' The Vicar of Bray" will be followed each eveninz by the gorgeous Rainbow Ballet.