LYDIA HOWARDE TROUPE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 143, 27 August 1881, Page 2

LYDIA HO WARDE TROUPE.

Considering the wretched weather, the dilapidated roads, the muddy streets, and the almost impassable footpaths, there was a fair attendance at the Town Hall last night, when Miss Lydia Howarde introduced her clever burlesque troupe to a Hawera audience for the first time. Although the company is not large, it is one of the best, if not the best, for its numbers, that has visited the country districts of New Zealand. Those who have lived in the large towns will recognise three or four familiar faces. Miss Lydia Howarde has for many years made burlesque a specialty, and from time to time has collected some of the best companies together. Miss Jennie Nye is one of the real favorites with playgoers. No matter what part is allotted to her, she appears to be quite at home: in burlesque, in comedy, in minstrelsy, in dancing, it is all the same ; even in melodramatic pieces, she can always be depended on to do her parts in a creditable manner. Then there is genial Harry Power, comparatively young in years, but old in fame — one of the greatest favorites in almost every town that can boast of a theatre or hall, whether in the Australian Colonies, or New Zealand. From his first start on the stage, he was singled out by competent critics, as one of the leading men to be found in the best stock companies, and he often played in the company of some of the first tragic s.tars that visited these shores— to wit, Walter Montgomery, James Anderson, and others. Mr. Fisher is not, perhaps, so well known, but he possesses an excellent voice, and is certainly a great source of strength to the company. Mdlle. De Glorian, and Miss Andrews look pretty, sing and dance nicely, and are likely to become favorites with their audiences. In consequence of the late hour at which the performance — "Robinson Crusoe, or the Pirates of Palm Bay " — followed by the operetta, " The Watchman " — was brought to a close, we are precluded from any detailed criticism : it must suffice to say that everything was done in a highly finished style, and there was not a taint of vulgarity about any of the entertainment. The company will re-appear this evening, when those who wish to drive dull care away will have »n excellent opportunity of doing so. The musical extravaganza of "II Trovatore," to be followed by the musical burletta, •' The Swiss Swaios>" are the pieces selected. " CuUperic " will be produced on Monday night. We trust to see the hall well filled on both occasions. It is not often that such a clever troupe honors a country town with its presence, and the people of this district will, doubtless, afford encouragement to similar companies to pay them a visit.