Extraordinary Scene.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 19, 23 July 1879, Page 2

Extraordinary Scene.

The following extraordinary scene i u a theatre is recorded by the Wellington Post:—The new but already celebrated comic opera •’ H.M.S. Pinafore,” the libretto bv Mr W. 8. Gilbert, tho music by Mr Arthur Sullivan, was produced last nighi to one of the largest sudienees yet ever seen in the Theatre Hoysl, which was literally “ packed ’’ from floor to ceiling. The performance was a striking illustration of the power of one grossly incapable member of a cast to spoil the best entertainment. The opera was pnt on the stage by Mr Cary in a style that left nothing to bo desired. Madame Le Couteur as Josephine, Miss J. '— •• Me Oapudn, Mrs fr,at Bittercup. Mr Browning as First Lord of the Admiralty, Ckrf cs the Boatswain, and Mr bimmonds as D.*aleye (the last especially A capital “ make up") all acted and ‘ B J n K conacieatiously and well ; bat all their efforts were rendered vain by the disgraceful conduct of the leading Fl ® ren ce, to whom was allotted the part of Rackstra*. A more scandalous performance we never hid the misfortune to witness. He either never * n ®* ° r uttir, y forgotten his part, sud for other reasons also ought not to have been allowed to appear at all. Such notes [or words as he did manage to briiig forth might just as well hare been omitted, both being incomprehensible, owing m the thickness of his voice and the indistinctness i.f his utterances, while during most of the time ho .either wandered aimlessly about tbe stage, indulged in uncouth and meaningless gesticulations, or else stood with folded arras grinning vacantly before him. The audience bora it patit-rlly pa- a time, in compassion -hr I'm 1 fleet* Jfirmof

hisses burst forth from all part of the bouse, on which the t* lor impuden ly returned thanks. The first act closed hurriedly, amid tremendous uproar, And many of the audience left at once.' The first half of the second act went capita ly, but directly Mr Florence came on again he insiantly “ up-et ” ’everything, and put all the others out- The consequence was that the public indigoniion agsir broke forth, and reached such a pitch that tbe performance was brought to an abrupt termination for fear of an ac ual riot, and the curtain hastily dropped to an accompaniment of hisses, boo ings, groans, and yells such as never has been heard in that theatre before. The dress cirole was half empty long before this point bad been reached, and representations were mide to the management »s to tile adrisableness of preventing the iocap* able tenor from appearing at all in the second act, le-t a serious disturbance might ensue. It is much to be regretted that the manager did not make a full explanation and apology to the audience at the time in order to soften the jot indignation felt at so discreditable an affair. As foe Mr Florenee, after So grossly insulting one of the largest audiences ever seen in Wellington, he will be wise not to venture tc appear again before them. With a less good.natured assemblage than tha: of last night his personal safely might hay# been in considerable danger. Me Cary has our hearty sympathy under the unfo.-tuoals c rcumst&uces, for which he was in no way blameable.