Theatre Royal.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6261, 24 September 1891, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

"THE MIKADO."

Ever since Messrs Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove'e company played "The Mikado" for the first time in the colonies, that opera lias become a favorite with theatregoers, aud though the last few years the public have seen a good deal of this work, familiarity with it only causes one to like it better. It is an opera that is especially familiar to New Zealauders, for it has been produced by amateurs in nearly every centre. Our local amateur* have popularised tbe work here, and so it was with a critical intention that many went to the Theatre Royal last night to seen how Mr Williamson's juveniles would acquit thein»elves. There was a good attendance. Let us say that the company fairly surpassed itself, and the excellence of the performance came as a complete surprise to not a few. The juveniles gave one of the finest representations of the piece—if not the finest—that has been seen here, and that id giving duo credit to others who have played the opera. The young performers seemed to revel in theii. , respective parts, entering with a verve and spirit into the work that, made the performance a brilliant success. It was an infinitely superior production to "La Mascotte," and we are not by any means bestowing fulsome praiwe when we say that those who did not attend last night missed an operatic treat of the highest order, and one that is very rarely afforded. The piece was sumptuously dressed, both principals and chorus being resplendent in magnificent costumes. The scenery used was elaborate and beautiful, and the most hypercritical among the audience could find nothing but praise to bestow upon the mounting of the opera. There was again that attention to details which so distinguishes Mr Williamson's productions from other theatricals. The efficieut training of the juveniles was shown to better advantage in soma respects than on the occasion of the first effort, the children using the Japanese fans in a way that came as a revelation to many, and they seemed to have an altogether different conception of the by-play than what we are accustomed to see in " The Mikado." The audience did. justice to the youthful performers, and a token of their appreciation ■was shown in the fact that almost every solo and chorus was redemanded, and responded to with a grace that put those on the stage in excellent accord with those in front. The action of the piece never flagged from beginning to end, and during the evening there was not a dull moment. As Ko-Ko Master A. Stevens gave a remarkably clever performance; his acting was humorous to a degree, while he did full justice to the humor of the libretto. Eβ had a keen perception of the requirements of the part, and that he satisfied the audience was amply evidenced in the encores accorded him. His solo •'The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring" was redemanded three times, and even then the audienoe longed for more. He sang " I've got him on the list" and " Tit Willow" in capital style, for which he was also recalled thrice, and introduced same of his own comicalities that were very acceptable. Miss Lily Everett, whose Mascotte established her as a favorite, made an excellent Nanki-Poo. Although " the scene was changed." she was as lively and attractive as ever, acting with much spirit, and singing her solos sweetly and with expression. Her by-play was admirable, and she threw an abandon into the part that found much favor. "The Wandering Minstrel," "Were you not to Ko Ko plighted ?" and her other items met with due appeeciation. Master Quealey— whom we remember as the little bootblack

in " Fauntleroy," with the American Company -found a r3le to suit him as PishTush, and the Pooh Bah of Master W. Clemow was a character well pourtayed. As the Mikado Master W. Percy was successful. His patter song, telling how he treats social offenders, had to be repeated. Miss Edith Zeigler, both vocally and dramatically, made a charming Yum Yum; her singing of " The Sun has Kaised," and the by-play was wonderfully clever for one so young. "Three Little Maids from School" was also encored; the other two maids were Miss Lily Stevens and Miss Nellie Wilson, both ably supporting Yum Yum. Miss Fio Russell as Katisha.

sang and acted the part creditably, leaving little to be desired. For her singin" of "The Hour of Gladnesss has Gone," and " Hearts do not Break," she was warmly applauded. The choruses were all excellently sung. The orchestra under the direction of Mr 0. Waud played the music of the opera with effect. This evening the juveniles will play another of Gilbert and Sullivan's operas, " The Pirates of Penzance, or the Slave of Duty." It is many years since this piece was played in Napier, and as by their previous efforts the juveniles have shown us what they can really do, we may expect a first-class performance to-night. The Cempany positively appear for the last time to-morrow evening, when the same opera will be reproduced.