REAL COMIC OPERA

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 16, 21 July 1921, Page 3

REAL COMIC OPERA

"H.M.S. PINAFORE REVIVED."

Few of Gilbert and Sullivan's woiks are better known than the blend of fine music and finished wit which go to make up "H.M.S. Pinafore." It has a lure which always appeals to the public, bo that it was not surprising that its revival by the J. C. Williamson Opera Co. at the Grand Opera House last night was welcomed bj a full building. The •audience was obviously anxious to applaud all the well-known songs, and, treated as the items 'were,' there was every excuse for doing so. The performance was given with a dash and an animation which, one feels were meant by •the great collaborators to be given it. Miss Patti Russell was; in the leading role of Josephine, and sang the delightful songs which go with the part with' expressiveness.. In particular was her voice suited to "Sad is the Hour," while, associated with Mr. James Hay, as Ralph Rackstraw she made of the duet, "Refrain, Audacious Tar," with its sudden changes from the vehemence of disdain to the plaint of the love-sick maid, a tiling to remember. Mr. Hay was also in fine voice. His. Ralf Rackstraw had •in it the required amount of burlesque which, in the case of amateur performers, is so apt to be overlooked. In both solos and duets his tenor voice was invaluable. Mr. Charles Walenn was 1 unable to appear, but his understudy, Mr. Jaok Winsom,* let no opportunity slip in his playing of the part of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, X.C.8., the pompous "ruler of the Queen's navee," whose polishing of the handle of the big front door Ted to such gratifying results. 'Mr. Kinson*s natural comedy lent ■itself admirably to the part, amd whether •lie held the centre of the stage or was merely filling in time with a little byplay, he drew many a hearty laugh. Captain Corcoran was played by' Mr. .Frederick Hobbs, wlio was quite at home ;in his singing, but wa6 occasionally unconvincing in his acting. .If there was any real weakness in the.cast, however, it rested with Mr. Albert Kavanagh's Dick Deadeye—Deadeye would surely • not.have been so soundly hated by his comrades had he been the comparatively meek individual Mr. Kavanagh. would iliave him. The most of the part of the 'bosuns mate was made by Mr. John r.-ateton, ..who really looked the bluff and cheerful old tar. Miss Molly Tyrell, too, as Little Buttercup, did what was required of her with understanding, white the work of the chorus was; quite up to the stanaVrd set by the company, i "Trial by Jury" was staged prior to "H.M.S. Pinafore," aud.of the liberal farce given them the performers were •not slow to take advantage. Mr. Jack Kinsom, who by, the way, ie an Aucklander. was qn.ite happy as the learned kTudtje, both his action and his singing ■beinir fine. Mr. Charles Nathan was a. suitably callous defendant, and sang his solos most effectively, amd Mifis Grace Crotty made a pretty plaintiff. Her rich soprano was well, suited to the ta.sk s».f. it. Mr. 'John BaHton (counsel), Mr. Albert Kavanaffh (usher), , and Mr. iPiillas Morton (associate)' were ablo in .their pnrte, and both jury and onlookers w-ero of tli« required vivar-ity. TTi<? perfox-mancefl' will ho repeated toiiicrht and to-morrow nitrht, and at tlm Saturday matinoc "Princess Id?" will be produced. : On Sntiirrlnv evening the .season wiM close with "Tire Yeomen of the Guard."