"MADAME FAVART."

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1895, Page 3

"MADAME FAVART."

♦ It is a singular characteristic of the New Zealand play-going community as a whole that it fights shy of anything new to ir. Revivals are nearly always successful. First productions frequently miss the success which they achieve when they have been familiarised. When the Comic Opera Company oame through with the strongest bill of new operas ever given in the colony, the management was repeatedly reproached for not prodncing old favourites, and this was put forward as an excuse for the comparatively indifferent business done by so expensive a company in the South, while throughout tho tour probably the largest average takings wouta show for the revival of "The Masootte." Thk «mgular trait received fresh exemplification mat night in the poor patronage accorded to the first production by the Pollard Company of Offenbach's elsewhere popular opera-bouffe " Madame Favart," a bright light opera of the French school, the humour of whiah depends upon the various disgnises and devices adopted by Madame Favart and her husband in their efforts to escape the inconvenient passion of Marshal Saxe for the lady. The plot is Blight, and must be played closely and briskly, two conditions usually absent from a first production. The two leading parts are amongst the most difficult in the range of opera bovffe—probably beyond any young artists and moat older ones. That Master Percy and Miss Metcalf as the Favart, husband and wife, gave a coherent rendering is oredit&ble to them, and they may be expected to improve much upon the present production as the season progresses. Maater Percy is a conscientious actor, with a good voice, and he played his pirt with intelligence. Miss Motcalf requires to give greater circumstantiality to the fasoinations of the famons actress upon which the plot so largely depends. Master Stevens gave »n amusing reading of the amorous Poinstable, albeit it was marred by monotony of vocal pitch. Master Noble requires more dignity with his oholer as Major Contignac. Miss Mitchell is an attractive Hector, and Miaa Sandford Suzanne. The musio is bright and tuneful. As a whole, the singers were not in good voice last night, the most satisfactory numbers being Favart's ' Puff " Bong, Misa May Beatty'a excerpt from " Bulbo," and the dnet " In the Dußk of the Twilight." The opera will be repeated to-night.

The Trustees of the Benevolent Institution met this afternoon, those present being Messrs. J. H. Baylis (in the chair), Brady, Mothes, J. Collins, and M'Kenzio. Ine Secretary reported that there were 89 inmates in the Home— 67 men and 22 women. Mr. Collins said two of his friends from Nelson who had visited the Home were so pleased with the arrangements there that they had contributed 10s. The meeting was proceeding when our report oloaed. The members of the Citizens' Institute were addressed by the Bey. J. B. Glasaon last night, the snbject being entitled " Some Objections to Socialism." The Hon. J. Bigg, M.L.C., presided. Mr. Glasaon dealt with the objections urged againat Socialism to the effect that it would be inimical to the development of individuality, and would provide inaufficient incentives to industry. He contended that public opinion and legal compulsion would, under a Socialistic or co-operative regime, sufficiently supplement higher motives in the maintenance of social virtues and developing the human oharaoter as a whole, while the competitive system developed only the individual ego. At the conclusion of a brief discussion a vote of thanks was passed to the lectnrer. A short discussion took place at the annual meeting of householders at the Newtown School laat night on the qneation of religious training in the pnblio schools. Mr J. H. Shine, who preaided, said he waß dissatisfied with the present system ot State education, and was in favour of the continuation Bohnols at present in vogue in some pai-ts of Europe. Mr. J. W. Davis, with a view to test the feelintr of the meeting, moved- aa follows: — "That in the opinion of this meeting it ib advisable that a system of religions education similar to the Irish system should be adopted for the New Zealand State Schools." Mr. C. T. Williams seconded the motion, which after a brief discussion was agreed to. It waa farther resolved to forward copies of the resolution to the Minister for Education and the Education Board. A special meeting of the Petone Borough Council was hold last evening. Present— Hiß Worship the Mayor, Councillors Corner, Damant, Burridge, Jackson, Lusty, Castle, Mothea, and Curtis. The Council went into Committee to conaider tho Drainage Question. On resuming it was resolved to recommend that the repairing of the drain through the Gear Company's property be part off tha Drainage Soheme. That the Engineer's report aa to the first three contracts under the drainage scheme be adopted, these to inolude (1) the area from Campbellterrace to the Esplanade, between Victorin and Buiok streets ; (2) the Koro Koro subdivision, iuoluding the western portion on the Esplanade and Hutt-road ; (3) from Jackson-street to the t'splanade, between Tory and Oriental streets; also, that th« opinion of Mr T. S. Martin be obtained as tc the powers of the Counoil in connection witt the nightsoil contract. That applications be Galled for the office oMnspeetor of Nuisances and collector of fees for the removal ol nightsoil, at a salary of .£ls per annum anc 10 per cent, of the amounts collected. Ii was further resolved to aoaept the tender o tha Co-operative Society for the supply o grocery rations at 4d eaoh ; and the offer o: the Mayor to obtain a street lamp. Thi Building By-laws Committee is to meet oi the 26th instant. The ball and distribution of prizes in con neotion with the Drapers' Sports will bi held in Thomas' Hall to-morrow evening The committee has been working energeti cally for weeks past, and the affair promise; to be very enjoyable. 'Busses wul be ii attendance at tho conolneion of the ball ti convey passengers to the Newtown an< Thorndon ends of the oity. The box plan for the benefit to Mr Pollard on Friday night was opened a Holliday's to-day, and as there is likely t be a very large house— there is genera aympathy with Mr. Pollard in his mUf ortun at Palmerston North — intending patron would do well to book early.