THE OPERA.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9023, 8 February 1895, Page 6

THE OPERA.

"THE VICAR OF BRAY."

The song which has handed down the resolve of a certain clergyman to remain' Vicar of Bray notwithstanding the changes of Government and politics and hie ingenious adaptation to circumstances to attain that end is pretty well known. It is somewhat, difficult, how* ever, to reconcile the main idea of the reverend gentleman referred to with the moti) of the opera which Messrs Sydney Grundy and Solomon have proanced in collaboration. Bat while this is the case, there can be no doubt that they have given us a good deal of gracetul music mainly cast in the pastoral style, and situations and dialogue whioty are alike humourous and witty. The idea ot the opera is a satire on the Church and Stage Guild formed some years ago in London, in connection with which clergymen and ballet girls alternately entertained each other with the mild dissipation ol tea and buns. There is no tea and buns in " The Vicar of Bray/ but the connection of the Church and Stage is accentuated by a very funny ballet, or rather pas de cinq, in which the Vicar figures as the fifth. The music is pleasing. There are no solos of any re-, markable ability, though one or two, notably the song for Winifred " Oh, why is my love," the Vicar's song " The Rev. Mr Barlow," and the song "The Jackson Case " are very funny indeed. Miss Florence Young took the part of Winifred, which is the part of the piece so far as the lady characters are concerned. She both acted and sang with much grace and success. She was eepacially good in the song •• Ob, why ie my love," and the two duets "Come back to mc" and " Propriety, prunes and prism." As has been said, the opera has but few solos, far less than any that has been produced, but Miss Young is to be complimented upon her really artistic performance of Winifred. Its was played throughout with a complete appreciation of the part. Miss May Pollard was excellent as Mrs Morton. Sue acted the part capitally, and was especially good in the duets " The shy widow a and "The wily widower." Miss Lucy Cobb as Nelly Bly danced with much grace and ability the pat de cinq, her dance in the first act being especially well done. The other ladies of the corps de ballet and the teachers deserve credit for their singing and dancing. Mr Tapley both looked and acted the part of Sandford welL The sententiousness of the character was excellently pourtrayed, and Mr Tapley also was heard to advantage in the music He was especially good in the aolo "As good as be ought to be," and the concerted pieces " Come back to mc "and "Propriety, prunes and, prism." Mc Lauri's Vicar is a really splendid bit of character acting. He is the Vicar, and the change from the solemn individual of the first act to the jovial cleric in the second taking part in the gyrations of the corps de bailet is wonderfully funny. His singing of "The Rev. Mr Barlow" and " The Jackson case" was excellent, and. throughout the part be was the life and soul of the piece. Mr Deane had not much to do as Merton. He sang his solo " Jolly huntsmen" well, but in the song in the second act the finale was taken far too torte. A song by a lover who has josi lost hie betrothed would hardly be given in .such a boisterous manner. Mr Vernon had a congenial port in the family solicitor, and he sang a topical song which contained some smartly written local allusions, which seemed to highly delight the audience. Mr Bracy is to be congratulated on the clever manner in which he has trained the corps of children taking part in the opera. They both acted and sang as if to the manner born, reflecting great credit on the patience of the'stage manager. The sets in the piece are exceedingly pretty, that in the second act especially no. The rainbow ballet, which went even more successfully than on previous .occasions, concluded the performance. "The Vicar of Bray will be repeated to-night, when the rainbow ballet will, be given tor positively the last time.