AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 12819, 9 December 1907, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

‘A MOORISH .MAID.’ For tho second performance of Mr Alfred Hill’s opera at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening more money was taken at tho boxes than on the opening night. Thai is gratifying, as a token of advancing appreciafion. "Wo hope that during this week Air Hill and his company will be performing to crowded houses, as a just recognition of merit in the opera and in the presentation thereof. Our people here are not to be enticed with superficial prettiness and mere glitter. They as a rule reserve their patronage for what is good and substantial. If an assurance to that effect, is what they arc waiting for now, we give it with the fullest confidence. ' A Moorish Maid’ is musically a- masterpiece. We said so in our notice on Saturday, and now, after seeing tho opera a second time, repeat the statement with absolute sincerity. Mr Hill, like mast talented musicians, is averse to blowing his own trumpet. His advertisements are r onspicuously modest. Therein one may find signs of a difference between this and an culinary show. A smart advance agent would have boomed a performance on half the real value of ‘A Moorish Afuid.’ Wo do not propose to supply all the pnfbng that could be lawfully doue about this piece. But wo do affirm aa a conviction that Mr Hill has in ‘A .Moorish Maid ’ written the cleverest light opera, of the day. Its distiuguishiua fiature is that the music stands analysis. Whilst in the first place pretty and simple, so as to bo understood bv the public at large, it is as correct, as to musical form as :i Beethoven symphony. Of how many other light operas can this he honestly assertiii? On Saturday night the wooing duet in the second act- was wisely excised. Tho performers to whom it was al'oJcd do not possess the stage experience necessary to give this item its proper value. A marked improvement in the performance of Air Clyno Lyttelton as the Mock Prince. Gastro, was also noticed. He made points that were missed < n the first evening, and in general quite pleased tile people, particularly iu ' I’ve oniy myself to blame,' which was muddled cm Friday night. Otherwise, the performance closely resembled that of the first night. As before, Miss Bnckmann’s intelligent reading of the |>art, of La Zara, stood out briiliantiv, and her singing is far and .away ahead of what we. generaliy hear in works of this t-las-s. Miss Helen GardTicr, too, did well as the Moorish Maid; Miss Leech once more pleased all present by her brainy actin'; .Mr Percy Blackmann sang and acted really well; while the other members of the company, including the hockey girls, tho capable chorus, the dancers (Miss Al.-yv Brick and Miss Jessie Grey), and the orchestra were not- only Th earnest,, but in accord towards the perfecting of the general scheme. The third performance of '.V Moorish Maid’ is to ho given this evening. FULLERS.' Homo exceedingly clever new performers appeared on the Princess Theatre stage on Saturday evening to hold licit . stage for Alcssrs John Fuller and Sons. The usual week-end audience witnessed their work wjth every manifestation of enjoyment. Watts and Lucas put on a must entertaining e[>ecialty sketch, in which ia<h member of the team showed ability .and originality. Dehivale and 1 Elbert, patten comedians of an unusually bright suit, were heartily welcomed, and the Lucas Auers, Huihrettca and dancers, inaiD an excellent impression. In R. H. Collins tho firm have secured a fine tenor singer, who should quickly become popular. He will fie renumbered as a member of APAtWs Jubilee Singers. The clever Yaldem.v, reappeared iu their cycle net. and Morris and Wilson enlivened tho audience with annth. r agik- knock-about act, Val. Newton and a, number of other eapablc t ntertainers lend brightnons to the show. The same programme is announced lor this evening. CARNIVAL DE VENICE. There was another good attendance at the Carnival de Venice on Saturday night, when the dancing was again greatly "enAir J. Al’Donald appeared twice in Highland dancing, and received wclldtKcrved applause for his efforts. A large number of raffles were got off. under tho presidem-y of flic mayor and Air R. Aivcrs. There are several unclaimed prizes, which can be obtained at the riecretarie.s’ office. Saturday night being tho last night, goods were, soil at very cheap rate:-', and the stalls wore completely sold out. good business being d ine. The carnival should result in each of the interested bodies receiving a fair surplus. JCAU Rights Reserved.]