THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3562, 8 December 1882, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Opeba,

The 6rst representation of "La Fille de Madame Angot" by the TambourMajor Opera Company took place at the Theatre Royal last evening, when there was a large attendance. Taking the performance as a whole not much can be Biid in its favor, although in some of its details it went exceedingly well. There was sometimes a lack of evennesa in the choruses, and the dialogue for the greater part betokened superficial study. It is only fair to add, however, that the audience appeared thoroughly satisfied with the performance, if we may judge by the frequent applause and other general expressions of satisfaction indulged in, more especially during the second and third acts. We must also the management kudos for producing opera so creditably on such short notice, rather than break faith with the public. To Miss jElsa May and Mr Vernon no small praise is due for their untiring efforts to bring the affair to a successful issue; in short, it may be said that, without their valuable aid, the concerted pieces must undoubtedly have suffered- As Clairette Miss May looked charming, and sang the numbers allotted to her with her Hsual biilliancy, receiving several deserved encores. Her duet with Ange Pitou (Mr Vernon) in the first act was loudly applauded. In the kissing scene with Pitou in tbe second act, and in the subsequent act where she quarrels with Madame Lange, Miss May threw herself completely into the spirit of the character, and acted with a verve and naturalness that must have surprised everyone. Tbe acting of Mdlle Navarro and Miss Blanche Lewis in the last mentioned scene was also remarkably good, and the house applauded each to the echo. Miss May was the recipient of a very handsome bouquet, which was amusingly caught in transitu by Mr Vernon, and presented in a manner that created peals of laughter. Mdlle Navarro dressed the character of Madame Lancje with excellent taste, and played with

accustomed precison and good effect. Miss Blanche Lewis's personation of Amaranthe was piquant, and her gestures telling. She also delivered her lines with clearness and accuracy, and was encored for her rendering of " The Legend of Madame Angot," which she sang very nicely. Mr Drayton created great amusement by his melodramatic " business " in the role of Louchard, as did also Mr Dark, whose volatility as Trinitz impressed us with a feeling that he has never been the subject of rheumatism. Mr Burt was fairly successful in the rather pretentious role of Pomponnet, and was favored with an encore for his rendering of the air, " She is so innocent."

The company conclude their season in Napier to-night.