"PINAFORE" AT THE THEATER BOYAL.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 112, 14 May 1881, Page 2

"PINAFORE" AT THE THEATER BOYAL.

TO TS* EDITOR OF THE KYINIKO rOBT. Sir — I have iad tho° opportunity of pern--sing Mr. Walter Beyntridfl' tatter relating to the juvepile performance of "Pinafore" at the Theatre Boyal, and can only ettdorst the opinion of the Press as to the undosirnble* ness of young children being brought up to face tho "ifootlights." Of course, Mr. Eeynolda' Btory of his youthful experience is very painful, as you say, and all the arguments he puts forward as to the happy lot of the "Pinafore" children when compared to his youth are all very well, but do not alter the fact that the stage is tho last place for juveniles in mora ways than one. My object in taking up your valuable spaoo is to condemn the performance of " Pinafore" from a musical point of view, and I feel sure that lovers of music will agree with my arguments. I was at tho Theatre last night, • and roally pitied the poor boy who aoted the part of Ralph Racks traw, and who was obliged to sing: most of the time in falsetto, because his natural voice would not permit him to oompaea most of tho notes. Does Mr. Eeyno^s kdow hern very painful this mode of singing is ? I may say that nearly all the children who took the leading parts were obliged, when singing abovo *'d," io sing m the same manner. At their present age the voice is not "formed," consequently their attempting to sing is only detrimental to their future career as far as singing is concerned. Of courso, Mr. Eeynolds is not expected to think of this, but great blame is oertaibly attached to the parents. I have had much experience on the Continent in oocneotion with music and singing, and can only add that in countries far less prosperous than New Zealand, where ohildren are turned out at a tender age to earn their living, I have neTer heard their vocal organs tried as thoso of the "Pinafore" ohildren aro at the Eoyal.- Probably some of the yonn* folks Here employed may be gifted with good voices, but thoso aro only being ruined. Naturally the performance is pleasing to the general public, and I confess that I was greatly amnsed myself; butohildren brought up to expect applause and encores, to the detriment of their future, will never eettloto anything less exciting and more steady. I am, do., Gkorge Robertson, Member Academy of Musio, Naples. Willis-Btreet, 13th May, 18*1.