THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3554, 29 November 1882, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Opera,

Tbe unanimous verdict of visitors to the Theatre Royal last night was that a grander and more imposing spectacle of its kind than the representation of " La Fille dv Tambour-Major " by Mr Macallum's opera company had never previously been placed before the public of Napier. It is not alone that the opera itself, like nearly all of Offenbach's productions, abounds in sparkling music and charming melody; it is the scope it affords for display and spectacular effect that constitutes in a great degree its attractiveness. It is highly gratifying, therefore, to be able to say that in a town euch as this an opportunity is afforded the inhabitants to witness a representation of the piece in its every detail, with the original costumes and scenery, which for magnificnce aud splendour almost defy description. Indeed so brilliant was the effect sometimes last night that, had there been only a little more stage room to admit of a better distribution of the performers, it would have required very little stretch of imagination on the part of the audience to conceive themselves translated to some first-class English opera house. Everything was elaborate, artistic, and appropriate, in the very truest sense of the terms. The view of the grand salon at the Palazze Delia Volta, Novaro, in the second act, was one of surpassing grandeur, and must be seen (o be appreciated. In the third act a very picturesque rustic scene representing a wooded ravine near Milan was introduced, also another of a public square, with a view of the great Cathedral of Milan in tbe back ground. The several groupings and processions on the Stage were arranged with exquisite taste, notably the bridal procession, which was loudly applauded ; the scene in the first act where the soldiers bring forth Stella into the convent garden was also very prettily carried out. But these displays, beautiful as they undoubted.) were, sank into very significance in comparison with tbe final tableau representing the grand entry of the French army into Milan, and introducing the Napier Artillery band disguised as Frenchmen. The _ spectacular effect produced by the ' blending of the French and Austrian flags, and the procession of the entire Btrength of the company, arranged io costumes of e\ery hue and color, can be more readily imagined than described, and it must have produced a lasting impression on all who saw it. Certainly nothing approaching it has ever been witnessed before in this colony. " La Fille dv Tambour-Major," as already hinted, affords greater latitude to the several artistes engaged in its production than the opera it has just succeeded. It has a good plot, which reveals itself in interesting form; the incidents are all striking, and at times approach the sensational, and the music is of that sparkling French type co eminently characteristic of the composer. The overtures also which were played with accuracy and expression by the , orchestra, are perfect gems of instrumentation. Miss Elsa May scored a further success last evening in the character of Stella, the Tambour-Major's daughter, her acting from first to last being highly successful. In our opinion her best efforts were "Italia, land of song," with chorus, and " The Confession," for which latter she received a wellmerited encore. In her duet with Captain Robert (Mr Drayton) both ot the singers acquitted themselves in excellent style, Miss May being the recipient at the finish of several pretty bouquets. The tarantella, " By chance we had," was spiritedly suDg by Mr Drayton, and tbe chorus was well sustained. Miss May's artistic and forcible rendering of " The little Jehu" was generally admired. The quartettes, " Tbe Billet Paper," and " Once again," were amongst the best things of the evening. As the Duchess Delia Volta, Mdlle. Navarro dressed the character in good taste, and sang and acted with very commendable ability. Her introduced song, Gonoud's " Vision," at the opening of the second act, was an admirable effort, and received due recognition. Miss Liddiard seemed quite in her element as Griolet, the mischiefmaking drummer boy, and played tbe part with a refreshing vivacity. Her singing of the several numbers allotted to her was accurate and pleasing, while her every action produced a rinple of laughter that seemed to aflcct the whole houee. Miss Blanch Lewis as Claudine is also deserving of praise for her careful impersonation of the part. Of Mr Vernon as Monthabor (Tambour-Major) what shall we say ? To do him justice in so many words would be almost an impossibility ; suffice it to state he acted his

best, which is saying volumes. His pathos was natural, his joy was natural —in short his performance of the difficult role he assumed was perfect. Mr Drayton made a very creditable Captain Robert, but the character ia not so well suited to him a 9 that of Grosvenor in " Patience." He was, however, in good voice, and rendered his numbers, as a rule, with effectiveness. As the Duke Delia Volta, Mr Dark took the audience completely by surprise, and installed himself a favorite at the same time. His acting was a capital piece of low comedy not without originality, and was highly relished. Mr Burt was also more than good as Bambini, although we thought his bye-play partook too much of the grotesque towards the close of the second act. The subordinate parts were all capably filled, and the choruses throughout went smoothly, the parts being evenly balanced, and good tune and time observed. We cordially recommend all who desire to witness a really first-rate performance not to miss the opportunity of seeing " Tambour-Major " to-night, when it will be produced for the second and last time during the present season, Miss Murielle taking the role of Stella. BILLEE TAYLOR. To-morrow evening will be produced, for tbe first time in Napier, and second time in this colony, Stephens' and Soloman's nautical and operatic extravaganza " Billee Taylor," the story of which is founded on the old song of " Billy Taylor," a well-known English nautical ditty. The time of the action is 1805, when the press gang was in full sway. The first act opens with a view of Southampton harbor, at the old inn of the Royal George, where the villagers meet to rejoice over the approaching wedding of Billee Taylor and Phoebe, a charity ecirl. There is also an heiress, Arabella Jane, who is in love with Billee. She offers him her hand, and fortunes, which he refuses. Her father, Sir Mincing Lane, a kind-hearted old gentleman, is going to give the villagers a feast at Billee's wedding. He invites his friend, Captain Flapper, to join the festivities. The captain falls in love with Phoebe at first sight, and vows that she shall not marry Billee. A tutor, Crab, is also in love with Phoebe. Among Captain Flapper's crew is Ben Barnacle, who has gone to sea on account of his love for Eliza, who has forsaken him for another lover. He is ordered by the press gang to go and carry off Billee Taylor. During the festivities preceding the holiday the plan is executed, and BilJee is taken away, which brings the first act to a close. The second act (two years having elapsed) opens with its scene laid in Portsmouth Harbor. Ships are coming and going while the sailors and their sweethearts sit around the docks watchin? some sailors dancing a hornpipe. All the charity girls, among whom is Phoebe, have followed Billee to sea, disguised as sailor boys. Billee, in the meantime, has risen to be a lieutenant. Sir Mincing Lane, who has become a commander ia the volunteers, appears and endeavors to induce some of the volunteers to join his company. Phoebe is about to enlist, when Barnacle interferes, and there is a quarrel between the soldiers and the sailors. Captain Flapper stops the fight. Some one tells Phoebe that Billee has lost his love for her, and loves Arabella. She fires a pistol at Billee and Arabella, whom she sees in company, and she is ordered to be shot. She then makes herself known. Matters are finally explained and set right, and all ends happily. The foregoing is a necessarily brief description of tbe argument of the opera, and conveys no idea of the intensely comic character of the work which, there is little doubt, will meet with a favorable reception.